What We Do
The New York City Office of Collective Bargaining (OCB) was created with the passage of the New York City Collective Bargaining Law (NYCCBL)in 1967. OCB is an independent, neutral agency that helps manage labor relations between the City of New York and its municipal workforce.
The agency handles a wide range of issues related to union representation and collective bargaining. This includes deciding questions about union certification, resolving disputes over collective bargaining rights, and addressing claims of retaliation or discrimination based on union activity. OCB also hears cases involving a union’s duty of fair representation. These decisions are made by either the Board of Collective Bargaining or the Board of Certification.
In addition to issuing decisions, OCB works to help parties resolve disputes through mediation. OCB mediates improper practice claims, representation disputes, and disagreements over collective bargaining agreements. The agency also administers the statutory impasse and grievance arbitration process.
The NYCCBL was adopted after collaborative discussions among the City, municipal unions, and independent labor relations experts. From the beginning, the law was designed to create a fair and balanced system that both labor and management could trust. Today, OCB continues this work by administering the NYCCBL and supporting stable, predictable, and fair labor relations for New York City.
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PUBLIC EMPLOYERS UNDER OCB'S JURISDICTION
WHO SERVES AS MEDIATORS, ARBITRATORS, AND IMPASSE PANEL MEMBERS?
HOW DOES OCB DIFFER FROM OTHER GOVERNMENT AGENCIES?
50th ANNIVERSARY BOOKLET: The New York City Collective Bargaining Law 1967-2017