Superior Court of State of Delaware v. State Public Employment Relations Board

This case involved a dispute between Delaware's Superior Court and the state's Public Employment Relations Board (PERB) over who has authority to handle labor issues involving court bailiffs. The Superior Court wanted to prevent PERB from getting involved in their employment decisions regarding bailiffs, arguing that courts should handle their own personnel matters without interference from other government agencies. The Delaware Supreme Court sided with the Superior Court, ruling that PERB cannot oversee labor relations between the court system and its bailiffs. The court based this decision on the "separation of powers" principle, which keeps the different branches of government (courts, legislature, and executive agencies) independent from each other. Essentially, the court said that one part of government cannot tell another part how to manage its employees. **What this means for workers:** This ruling creates a significant limitation for court employees, particularly bailiffs, in Delaware. Unlike other state workers who can turn to PERB for help with labor disputes, court employees may have fewer options when facing workplace issues. They cannot rely on the state's main labor relations board to intervene in disputes with their employer, potentially leaving them with less protection and fewer avenues for resolving employment conflicts.