KRS 70.262: Collective bargaining for deputy sheriffs in merit system in county

containing a consolidated local government or a city of first class --

Prohibition against strikes -- Employment contract with sheriff.

(1) Except as provided in KRS 336.130, in any county containing a consolidated

local government or city of the first class that has adopted a merit system

under KRS 70.260 to 70.273, deputies subject to the merit system may

organize, form, join, or participate in organizations in order to engage in lawful

concerted activities for the purpose of collective bargaining or other mutual aid

and protection, and to bargain collectively through a representative of their own

free choice. Deputies shall also have the right to refrain from any or all of these

activities but shall be subject to the lawful provisions of any collective

bargaining agreement entered into under this section. Strikes by deputies of

any collective bargaining unit shall be prohibited at any time.

(2) Except as provided in KRS 336.130, in any county containing a consolidated

local government or city of the first class that has adopted a merit system

under KRS 70.260 to 70.273, the sheriff shall contract with a representative of

the deputies described in subsection (1) of this section employed by the sheriff

where the representative has established representation of a majority of the

deputies, with respect to wages, hours, and terms and conditions of

employment, including execution of a written contract incorporating any

agreement reached between the sheriff and the representative. The sheriff

shall not be required to bargain over matters of inherent managerial policy.