Delaware Code Title 19 Sec. 1617 – Injunctions
(a) Chancery Court is vested with the authority to hear and determine all actions alleging violation of § 1616 of this title. Suits to enjoin violations of § 1616 of this title will have priority over all matters on the Court’s docket except other emergency matters.
Terms Used In Delaware Code Title 19 Sec. 1617
- Collective bargaining: means the performance of the mutual obligation of a public employer through its designated representatives and the exclusive bargaining representative to confer and negotiate in good faith with respect to terms and conditions of employment, and to execute a written contract incorporating any agreements reached. See Delaware Code Title 19 Sec. 1602
- Docket: A log containing brief entries of court proceedings.
- employee: means any police officer or firefighter employed by a public employer except those determined by the Board to be inappropriate for inclusion in the bargaining unit; provided, however, that for the purposes of this chapter with respect to any state employee covered under the State Merit System, position classification, health care and other benefit programs established pursuant to Chapters 52 and 96 of Title 29, workers' compensation, disability programs and pension programs shall not be deemed to be compensation. See Delaware Code Title 19 Sec. 1602
- employees: shall include each and every person employed by the public employer except:
- employer: includes the Town of Delmar, Delaware. See Delaware Code Title 19 Sec. 1602
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Injunction: An order of the court prohibiting (or compelling) the performance of a specific act to prevent irreparable damage or injury.
- Strike: means a public employee's failure, in concerted action with others, to report for duty, or the public employee's wilful absence from the public employee's position, or the public employee's stoppage or deliberate slowing down of work, or the public employee's withholding in whole or in part from the full, faithful and proper performance of the public employee's duties of employment, or the public employee's involvement in a concerted interruption of operations of a public employer for the purpose of inducing, influencing or coercing a change in the conditions, compensation rights, privileges or obligations of public employment; however, nothing shall limit or impair the right of any public employee to lawfully express or communicate a complaint or opinion on any matter related to terms and conditions of employment. See Delaware Code Title 19 Sec. 1602
(b) Where it appears that any public employee, group of employees, employee organizations or any officer or agent thereof, threaten or are about to do, or are doing, any act in violation of § 1616 of this title, the public employer may forthwith apply to the Court of Chancery for an injunction against such violation.
(c) If an order of the Court enjoining or restraining a violation of § 1616 of this title does not receive immediate compliance, the public employer shall apply to the Court for appropriate contempt sanctions against any party in violation of such order. Upon a proper showing that any person or organization has failed to comply with such an order, the Court shall, in addition to any other remedy it deems appropriate, fine such violating party an amount on a daily, weekly or monthly basis without limitation as determined by the Court.
(d) In determining an appropriate amount for fines imposed pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, the Court shall consider and receive evidence of:
(1) The extent and value of services lost due to the violation of § 1616 of this title.
(2) Any unfair labor practices committed by either party during the collective bargaining process.
(3) The extent of the wilful defiance or resistance to the Court’s order.
(4) The impact of the strike on the health, safety and welfare of the public.