SLO firefighters’ union files unfair practice charge against city

A labor dispute between San Luis Obispo city officials and the firefighters' union has escalated to the state level, with the union filing an unfair practice charge that accuses the city of imposing an unlawful gag order on a battalion chief. The case, now before the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), is being watched by public-safety employees across the Central Coast — including those in Atascadero, where city labor relations follow the same state framework at issue in the complaint.

The New Times SLO (Atascadero) first reported the charge, filed Aug. 31 by the San Luis Obispo firefighters' union, Local 3523 of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

What the complaint alleges

At the center of the dispute is SLO Fire Department Battalion Chief Ray Hais. According to the complaint, the city issued Hais an interview notice in August 2025 regarding "potential misuse of leave and shift trades by members of the Fire Department." That notice prohibited Hais from discussing the investigation with other city employees, allowing him to communicate only with the investigator, Human Resources, and a union representative who wasn't involved in the probe.

The union contends that restriction violated the Meyers-Milgas-Brown Act — properly, the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act — the California law governing labor-management relations for local government employees. The act guarantees employees of local public agencies the right to form, join, and participate in employee organizations, and PERB holds jurisdiction over certain disputes arising under it.

Hais was placed on administrative leave after a November 2025 interview, and the leave stretched on while the city continued administrative investigations. Hais sat for additional interviews through March 2026 related to allegations of potential gender bias within the Fire Department and misuse of a city vehicle and city-compensated time, according to the complaint.

By Aug. 18, 2026, the city and Hais had reached a verbal agreement on discipline under which the battalion chief would serve a six-day suspension.

A text message, then a termination notice

What happened the day after that agreement is what pushed the dispute to PERB.

New Times obtained screenshots of a text message reportedly sent by Hais on Aug. 19 to union members alerting them to the agreement. The message stated Hais would return to work on Sept. 11 and thanked members for their support. It did not disclose the terms of the agreement, and the union argues the message served a legitimate workplace purpose.

"As members of Local 3523 in good standing, and because they report to Hais, his return to work affects those members' working conditions by altering schedules, assignments, and communication processes," the complaint stated. "Hais' text allowed them to prepare for his expected return to duty."

According to the complaint, the following day City Attorney Christine Dietrick summoned then-Acting Deputy Fire Chief John MacDonald to a meeting, stating, "We have a big problem," regarding MacDonald "sharing information (he) did not have the right to share." MacDonald brought two union representatives with him — President Eric Lokkart and former Vice President Alec Flatos — and Human Resources Director Nickole Domini was also present. Dietrick reportedly expressed disapproval of the representatives, telling MacDonald he "did not need to bring an army."

The complaint alleges Dietrick interrogated the representatives about the text messages and ordered Flatos to create a group message including her and Domini to identify and obtain information from all potentially involved employees. Domini also directed Lokkart to disclose his discussions with the fire chief about the logistics of Hais' return.

By Aug. 26 — after the union filed a formal complaint with the city manager and City Council — the city issued Hais a notice of intent recommending termination for the alleged misconduct. Hais remains employed while the termination process is active, according to John Bagala, 10th District state representative of the International Association of Fire Fighters.

Union voices frustration

Bagala was blunt in his criticism of the city attorney.

"What we have is a city attorney … who has some sort of vendetta against the firefighters, and it seems to be a mystery to everybody as to why that is," Bagala told New Times. "There's been a lot of unnecessary and arbitrary investigations initiated, many of which cost a tremendous amount of money and resources."

The city, in a statement to New Times, disputed the charges.

"We take potential breaches of public trust very seriously, and the investigation resulted in findings of misconduct," the statement said. "The city's subsequent disciplinary action to hold an individual Fire Department employee accountable and its current position regarding these issues can be found in Exhibits K and M to the charge filed by the union. We respect employees' rights and the legal, public p[rocess]…"

Not the first time at PERB

The filing isn't San Luis Obispo's first brush with the state labor board. In 2011, the SLO Police Officers Association filed a PERB complaint after the City Council voted to place a measure on a special-election ballot that would have eliminated the use of an independent third party to settle labor disagreements between the city's police and fire unions. The fight ended in 2016, when the council approved a settlement paying the police association $150,000; the complaint was then dropped.

What happens next — and why it matters here

PERB will now evaluate the firefighters' union's charges. If the board finds sufficient evidence, it will issue a formal complaint, triggering an informal settlement conference. If no settlement is reached, the case proceeds to a formal hearing.

For Atascadero residents, the case is more than a San Luis Obispo story. The Meyers-Milgas-Brown Act — the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act at issue in the complaint — applies to every city in California, including Atascadero's own fire and public-safety bargaining units. How PERB interprets the limits of confidentiality directives in workplace investigations could shape how local agencies across the 805 region handle discipline, gag orders, and union communication for years to come.

The case also carries financial implications for taxpayers. Bagala's assertion that investigations have consumed substantial city resources echoes longstanding concerns in San Luis Obispo County about the cost of prolonged public-employee litigation — costs ultimately borne by residents.