On August 2, the Florida Public Employees Relations Commission issued a Final Order in favor of the City of Deerfield Beach in a claim filed against the City by a former City mechanic alleging that his layoff from city employment violated state veterans’ preference law. Brett J. Schneider and Raquel Elejabarrieta represented the City in this matter. The Commission upheld the Hearing Officer’s recommendations on procedural and substantive issues, all of which were favorable to the City.
In particular, the Hearing Officer determined that the grievant was not entitled to relief because both his complaint with the Department of Veteran’s Affairs and his appeal with the Commission were untimely filed and the grievant failed to establish any basis for equitably tolling the limitations period for either filing. The Hearing Officer also determined that the claimant was not entitled to bump any current City employee from his or her position as a result of the elimination of the claimant’s position.
You can read a copy of the Hearing Officer’s determination here and the Commission’s decision here.
Author(s): Brooke P. Dolara
