Ch. 689                                        1997 LAWS OF MARYLAND

(B) ANY CHARGE THAT AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE HAS BEEN COMMITTED
MUST BE IN WRITING AND SERVED BY THE CHARGING PARTY WHO MUST BE AN
AFFECTED PARTY OR A REPRESENTATIVE OF THE AFFECTED PARTY ON THE PARTY
ALLEGED TO HAVE ENGAGED IN THE VIOLATION WITHIN 10 DAYS OF THE OCCURRENCE
OF THE VIOLATION WITHIN 5 DAYS OF THE CHARGE, THE PARTIES SHALL APPOINT A
NEUTRAL PERSON TO INVESTIGATE THE CHARGE HOLD HEARINGS, MAKE A
DETERMINATION AS TO WHETHER AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE HAS BEEN COMMITTED,
AND ISSUE A REPORT TO THE COUNTY RECOMMENDING A REMEDY FOR ANY VIOLATION
FOUND.

(C) THE COST OF ANY UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE PROCEEDINGS SHALL BE PAID
BY THE CHARGING PARTY WHERE NO VIOLATION IS FOUND AND BY THE OFFENDING
PARTY WHERE A VIOLATION IS FOUND.

1-911.

THE EXPRESSION OR DISSEMINATION OF ANY VIEWS, ARGUMENT, OR OPINION,
WHETHER ORALLY IN WRITING, OR OTHERWISE, DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AND IS NOT
EVIDENCE OF AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE UNDER ANY OF THE PROVISIONS OF THIS
PROCEDURE NOR IS IT GROUNDS FOR INVALIDATING ANY ELECTION CONDUCTED
UNDER THIS SUBTITLE IF THE EXPRESSION OR DISSEMINATION DOES NOT CONTAIN A
THREAT OF REPRISAL OR PROMISE OF BENEFIT,

1-9I2

(A) EVERY EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE IN WHICH ANY COUNTY EMPLOYEES
ARE DUES-PAYING MEMBERS, SHALL KEEP AN ACCURATE RECORD OF ITS FINANCIAL
TRANSACTIONS AND SHALL UPON REQUEST, WITHIN 60 DAYS AFTER THE END OF ITS
FISCAL YEAR MAKE AVAILABLE ANNUALLY TO SUCH COUNTY EMPLOYEES A DETAILED
WRITTEN FINANCIAL REPORT IN THE FORM OF A BALANCE SHEET AND AN OPERATING
STATEMENT, CERTIFIED AS TO ACCURACY BY A CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANT.

(B) IN THE EVENT OF FAILURE OF COMPLIANCE WITH THIS SECTION, THE
COUNTY MAY TAKE WHATEVER ACTION IT DEEMS NECESSARY TO PROTECT COUNTY
EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING THE SUSPENSION OF CERTIFICATION UNDER THIS SUBTITLE
OR ANY PRIVILEGE ACQUIRED AS THE RESULT OF SUCH CERTIFICATION OR THE
REVOCATION OF THE RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN ANY REPRESENTATION ELECTION
CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THIS SUBTITLE.

SECTION 2. AND BE IT FURTHER ENACTED, That, on June 1, 1997, the Board of
County Commissioners of Washington County shall recognize those labor organizations that
were certified in accordance with a Resolution dated April 13, 1993 that established
procedures for collective bargaining and a Resolution dated February 1, 1994 that recognized
appropriate units for collective bargaining purposes, both adopted by the Board of County
Commissioners, as the exclusive representatives for the appropriate units and may not require
any other precondition before that recognition. In all other respects, the Board of County
Commissioners shall comply with §§ 1-901 through 1-912 of the Code of Public Local Laws
of Washington County as enacted by this Act.

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