KRS 67C.408: Election of exclusive representative.

(1) Whenever, in accordance with administrative regulations that may be promulgated

by the cabinet, a petition has been filed:

(a) By a police officer or group of police officers or any labor organization acting

in behalf of thirty percent (30%) of the employe es who have signed labor

organization affiliation cards and the labor organization showing proof of

representation:

1. Alleging that they wish to be represented for collective bargaining by a

labor organization as exclusive representative; or

2. Asserting that the labor organization which has been certified or is

currently being recognized by the consolidated local government as

bargaining representative is no longer the representative of the majority

of employees in the unit; or

(b) By a consolidated local government alleging that one (1) or more labor

organizations has presented to it a claim to be recognized as the representative

of the majority of police officers in an appropriate unit;

The cabinet shall investigate the petition, and if it has reasonabl e cause to believe

that a question of representation exists, shall provide for an appropriate hearing

upon due notice. If the cabinet finds that there is a question of representation, it

shall direct an election by secret ballot to determine whether or by which labor

organization the police officers desire to be represented and shall certify the result

thereof to the legislative council of the consolidated local government.

(2) The cabinet shall decide in each case, in order to assure police officers the fu llest

freedom in exercising the rights guaranteed by this section, the unit appropriate for

the purposes of collective bargaining, based on such factors as community of

interest, wages, hours, and other working conditions of the police officers involved;

the history of collective bargaining; and the desires of the police officers.

(3) An election shall not be directed in any bargaining unit or in any subdivision thereof

within which in the preceding twelve (12) month period a valid election has been

held. The cabinet shall determine who is eligible to vote in the election and shall

promulgate administrative regulations governing the election. In any election where

none of the choices on the ballot receives a majority, a runoff shall be conducted,

the ballot providing for the selection between the two (2) choices receiving the

largest and the second largest number of valid votes cast in the election. A labor

organization which receives the majority of the votes cast in an election shall be

certified by the cab inet as exclusive representative of all the police officers in the

unit.

(4) Nothing in this or any other law shall be construed to prohibit recognition of a labor

organization as the exclusive representative by a consolidated local government by

mutual consent.

(5) No election shall be directed by the cabinet in any bargaining unit where there is in

force and effect a valid collective bargaining agreement; provided, however, that no

collective bargaining agreement shall bar an election upon the petition of persons

not parties thereto where more than four (4) years have elapsed since the execution

of the agreement or the last timely renewal, whichever was later.