Employers often try to win disputes by focusing on technical definitions or procedural arguments. They will apply a narrow definition to an employee’s workplace right and reframe the dispute so the protection seems not to apply.All four cases covered in this month’s podcast are examples of this tact

In part two of this month’s podcast, Rick offers his predictions for 2026 for three different categories.The economy – boom or bust? (00:02:10)Recruitment and retention – will federal agencies poach local law enforcement officers? (00:14:40)The courts – big changes in equal opportunity. (00:23:37)

A look back, a look ahead.We took January 1 off for the New Year’s Day holiday, so this First Thursday episode is posting on the second Thursday. We will be posting a bonus episode on the third Thursday (and you thought there were no more Christmas gifts coming).This episode will cover what Rick thi

We here at LRIS would like to wish everyone a joyous and peaceful holiday season. Here’s what in store for this last First Thursday podcast of 2025:Upcoming seminars from LRIS (00:01:53)The cases:State ex rel. GateHouse Media Ohio Holdings II, Inc. v. Columbus Police Dept., Slip Opinion No. 2025-Ohi

Richard Poulson interviews Memphis Police Association President Matt Cunningham about the recent deployment of national guard troops to his city.Cases:Labor Board Rules County Cannot Unilaterally Change Schedule, County of Gloucester, 51 NJPER ¶ 73 (2025)Illinois Labor Board Requires Production of I

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

FAQs00:00:49What are the limits on fitness for duty exams?What counts as protected union activity?Does a high test score entitle you to a promotion?What happens when a long-standing past practice conflicts with new (or old) contract language?What’s new with LRIS? 00:01:24CasesCook County CO WinsADA

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

The complete interview with police attorney Lance LoRusso is available only to LRIS Premium subscribers. Rick Poulson and Lance, founder of the Blue Line Institute, discuss Lance’s background as a sworn police officer and a police attorney, as well as the current challenges facing police officers an

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