Rick and labor attorney Jessica Caggiano discuss what is and what isn’t protected speech by a public employee and in the age of social media. How has social media impacted how courts determine what speech is disruptive to the workplace?Rick and Jessica cover bedrock Supreme Court decisions as well a
Rick interviews former firefighter and firefighter union leader, Bob Brooks, about his bid to represent Pennsylvania’s 7th district in the congress. They discuss the importance of political involvement by public safety labor and management representatives from all backgrounds.00:02:16 – What’s next
Rick is joined again by labor attorney Jesse Bernstein to discuss the no tax on overtime provision from recent budget bill along with the usual roundup of cases.00:01:15 – The latest from LRIS00:03:17 – No tax on overtimeCases00:14:57 – Police Association Counts As “Citizen” Under Citizen Complaint
This month, Rick is joined by Philadelphia labor attorney Jesse Bernstein. The two discuss the following cases:NY Court Precludes Cross Examination Of Police Officers On Civilian Review Board Findings, United States v. Clanton, 763 F. Supp. 3d 261 (E.D. N.Y. 2025). (00:03:36)Bologna v. Krasner, 2025
FAQs 00:00:49 What’s new with LRIS? 00:01:24 Cases Cook County CO WinsADA Remedy For Unlawful Fitness-For-Duty Exam, Nawara v. Cook Cnty., 132 F.4th 1031 (7th Cir. 2025). 00:03:06 Union President Engaged In Protected Concerted Activity When Sharing Confidential Report, Montana Highway Patrol v. Mont
0:01:32 What’s new with LRIS.0:03:20 Seattle Officers Who Attended Jan 6 Rally Cannot Remain Anonymous, John Does 1, 2, 4, & 5 v. Seattle Police Dep’t, 2025 Wash. LEXIS 86 (2025).0:15:24 Terminated Firefighter’s “Perceived Speech” Claim Triggers First Amendment Protect ions, Vargas v. City of Tra
Rick and economist Jeremy Crimmel discuss the nation’s economic outlook and what effects tariffs may have on inflation.Cases:State Court Confirms Louisiana Police Association’s Right to Engage in Political Activity, La. State Troopers Ass’n v. State Police Comm’n, 2025 La. App. LEXIS 135 (La. App. 1
In this month’s podcast, Rick discusses an important free speech case involving a fight over a police association’s logo and speaks with police defense attorney Lance LoRusso about a use of force case being decided by the Supreme Court.00:01:41 — What’s going on with LRIS.00:02:50 — Union logo free
This month’s podcast explores the connections between all workers, whether public safety or civilian, federal or state, public or private. Rick Poulson is joined by his colleague Joe Richardson to discuss this with a focus on a recent union-busting case out of Douglas County Colorado.0: 03:43 – What
Happy 2025! The nasty bug that’s spreading across the East Coast hit our podcast host, Rick Poulson. He’s finally recovered enough to record this episode, but please forgive the cough.In this month’s podcast, we go over:A big legislative win for public sector employees.A look at wage increases for 2
Happy holidays to all our listeners. In this month’s First Thursday podcast, Rick covers:Pensions and Politics.What is the Social Security Fairness Act and does it have a chance of being passed?Progressive DAs.Elon Musk has his sights set on them.This month’s cases:Officer’s DWI Arrest Not Exculpato
Happy Veteran’s Day and thank you to all who served.Sorry we’re late! This month’s First Thursday should be renamed “Second Monday.”In this month’s podcast, Rick covers two union leave cases and two involving social media posts.The Cases:Gilmore v. Gallego, No. CV-23-0130-PR, 2024 WL 3590669 (Ariz.,
LRIS Executive Director Rick Poulson goes over four cases in this month’s podcast, two involving free speech and two on prosecutorial immunity.This month’s cases:Ohio Security Guard’s Facebook “All Lives Splatter” Meme Protected by 1st Amendment, Noble v. Cincinnati & Hamilton Cnty. Pub. Libr., 112
Michael Freeman, Executive Vice President of the New Jersey Police Benevolent Association joins LRIS Executive Director Rick Poulson to discuss Mike’s career in law enforcement labor relations, and the two go over cases involving marijuana use and free speech.This month’s cases:Jersey City Extends L
Rick Poulson interviews attorney Tom Gribbin about his career and the unique issues that arise in representing correctional officers.This month’s cases:Court Upholds Award Of Retroactive Sick Leave Benefits For COs, County of Berks v. Teamsters Local 429, 2023 WL 8290257 (Cmwlth. Ct.).City Lawfully
LRIS recently lost a member of our extended family. Arbitrator Dave Gaba, a frequent LRIS seminar speaker and co-author of the book Interest Arbitration passed away last month. We extend our sincerest condolences to Dave’s family and friends.Rick Poulson interviewed Arbitrator Michael Loconto for th
Will Aitchison is on the other side of the microphone in this month’s podcast as Rick Poulson interviews him about his career in public safety labor relations. They discuss how long Will has been practicing, how he got into labor law, when and why he started LRIS, and why have seminars for both mana
Rick Poulson interviews attorney Lance LoRusso, founder of the Blue Line Institute. They discuss Lance’s background as a sworn police officer and a police attorney, as well as the current challenges facing police officers and their advocates.This month’s cases:Court Reverses Decision Granting Retire
Welcome Rick Poulson to the LRIS First Thursday Podcast!April’s First Thursday podcast is a special two-person affair as LRIS Executive Director, Rick Poulson, joins Will as cohost. Rick talks about his background, how he became a labor attorney, and helps Will break down this months cases.Cases:Bur
State of California rewrites its Racial and Identity Profiling Act, Letter to Rob Bonta, Attorney General for California (2024)‘Marsy’s Law’ Does Not Shield Crime Victims’ Names From Disclosure, City of Tallahassee v. Florida PBA, 2023 WL 8264181 (Fla. 2023).Female Firefighter Applicant Unsuccessful
Good news on the economy and inflationThe Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI dataFrom The Washington Post: Falling inflation, rising growth give U.S. the world’s best recovery This month’s casesWisconsin Municipalities Required To Offer Health Insurance And Bargain Over Contributions, Wisconsin Professi
The recurring attack on binding disciplinary arbitration.Will Aitchison covers a study from the Mackinac Center for Public Policy entitled “How To Improve Policing Through Collective Bargaining Reforms.” He covers its fatal flaw, and why law enforcement unions must be aware of it.View the press rele
This month’s cases:Cell Phone Warrant Of Officer’s Phone Too Broad, Commonwealth v. Sukhadia, 2023 WL 7409309 (Penn. Super. 2023).Township Violates Free Speech Rights By Banning Thin Blue Line Flag, Pennsylvania State Lodge v. Township of Springfield, 2023 WL 7547494 (E.D. Penn. 2023).Firefighter’s
Current EventsThe latest development in A.I. and policing: The City of San Jose signs on to use Benchmark Analytics’ First Sign Early Intervention System.How are cities dealing with the recruitment and retention crisis?CasesConsent Decree Does Not Impair Bargaining Rights, City of Newark v. Fraterna