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Page Two August 10,r 1.978 position was consistent with adopted League policies on ircipass resolution with public employee un ions O The League has joined the proceedings as amici curiae at the Supreme Court l eve l and will assist in coordinating efforts. of individual local governments who wish to support the lawsuit.. The City of Richf ield and the League of Minne-rota C ities have both f fled their Supreme Court brief s. On the other . side, the Attorney General, and AFCME have filed their briefs. The IAFF has not - yet n f sled its brief but is expected to do so shortly, In add itior the Minnesota Education Association has intervened at the Supre-me Court level and will file a brief on behalf of it's membership in support of the arbitration provisions . This lawsuit is the f irst attempt to determine the constitutional it of the compulsory binding arbitration provisions of PELRA since first enacted in 1971. However, similar efforts have occurred in other states with varying degrees of success,, The most recent litigation occurred in Texas where a lower court decision found the Texas arbitration law unconstitutional. Early in July- the Hartford, Connecticut Superior Court found that state's compulsory arbitration law unconstitutional, A copy of an NLC news article on this Connecticut decision is attached. You will note in the article on the Connecticut decision that 75 Connecticut municipalities helped to support the action initiated in that state. We believe that in addition to LMC support it would be very helpful for the 'court and our state legislatures to know that a large' number of cities in the state are concerned with the binding arbitration provisions in the state statutes. Therefore, I am asking that you bring this ma-LL- I. F4 -ter to the attention of your c it council and recommend that your city support our action through adoption of the attached resolution - We are requesting that interested cities help defray the cost of the Supreme Court appeal with a $100 contribution (should contributions exceed costs, we will return the balance on a pro rata basis) , How- ever, please note that the contribution is'not a prerequisite for the resolution of support. -It is most important that cities indicate their positions With respect to this litigation by adopting a resolution similar to the sample which is attached,.. Please send a copy of your city's resolution to Mr. Stan Peskar, General Counsel League of Minnesota Cities 300 Hanover Building 480 Cedar Street St. Paul, Minnesota 55101 Checks should be made out to the League of Minnesota Cities - and designated Tor this bind irig arbitration lawsuit.