As reported by the Baltimore Sun, an Anne Arundel County Circuit Court Judge ruled that the County’s binding arbitration system is unconstitutional.

The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by public safety employee unions after the County Council passed legislation this year giving the council final say in labor disputes between the county and public safety employees.

County Executive Leopold pushed for this legislation, saying that the council should have final fiscal authority, not an outside arbitrator.

A representative from the police union said the decision will be appealed.

“The county may feel like they can financially bankrupt the unions with legal action, but I don’t see that happening,” said Atkinson. “At some point, justice will prevail, which means doing what the citizens wanted, providing a fair dispute resolution process for public safety employees.”