Court Opinion

ID: 9931038
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2024-02-08 14:15:51.409307+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T12:18:59.735805
License: Public Domain

For Publication

              IN THE SUPREME COURT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS

UNITED STEELWORKERS LOCALS 9488                          ) S. Ct. Civ. No. 2020-0106
                                                         )   Re: Super. Ct. Case. No. SX-2015-CV-00260
and 9489

     Appellant/Plaintiff,                                )

                                                         )

v.                                                       )

                                                         )

GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS,                        )

DIVISION OF PERSONNEL, and PUBLIC                        )

EMPLOYEES RELATIONS BOARD                                )

     Appellee/Defendant.                                 )
________________                                         )

                        On Appeal from the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands

                                         Division of St. Croix

                            Superior Court Judge: Hon. Ren~e Gumbs Carty

                                     Argued: December 14, 2021

                                        Filed: February 7, 2024

                                           Cite as: 2024 VI 9

BEFORE:          RHYS S. HODGE, Chief Justice; MARIAM. CABRET, Associate Justice; and

                 IVE ARLINGTON SW AN, Associate Justice.

APPEARANCES:

Ryan C. Stutzman, Esq.

St. Croix, U.S.V.I.

         Attorney for Appellant,

Zuleyma M. Chapman, Esq.

St. Croix, U.S.V.I.

         Attorney for Appellee Gov't. of the V./., Div. o
                                                        f Personnel,

Henry C. Smock, Esq.

Larry Raymond-Roy, Esq.

St. Croix, U.S. V .I.

         Attorneys for Appellee PERB.

                                    OPINION OF THE COURT

CABRET, Associate Justice
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Opinion of the Court

Page 2 of 14

,r 1       United Steelworkers Locals 9488 and 9489 ("USW") appeals from a memorandum opinion

and order of the Superior Court, where, on writ of review, the court affirmed a decision of the

Public Employees Relations Board (the "PERB"). The decision from the PERB excluded Ms.

Kathleen      Simmonds          ("Simmonds")            and   Ms.   Millicent    Aubain      ("Aubain")        from     a collective

bargaining unit due to their status as confidential employees. As the PERB' s factual findings are

supported by substantial evidence, this Court affirms the Superior Court's order.

                          I.          FACTUAL & PROCEDURAL BACKGROUND

2          On   January        15,   2008,    the   Government        of the    Virgin   Islands'     Division        of Personnel

("DOP"),        through    the       Office   of    Collective      Bargaining        (OCB"),      filed   a   petition    for   unit

                                                    1
clarification with the PERB. (JA 16).                   The DOP sought to clarify whether certain positions should

be excluded from a collective bargaining unit. (JA 16, 58). The PERB is responsible for hearing

unit clarification      petitions       pursuant to       24   V . I.C.   §§   365,   379.   The   USW,        as the    bargaining

representative for certain employees within the DOP, is party to the master collective bargaining

agreement at issue. (JA              18). The DOP's petition for unit clarification alleged that six positions

within the bargaining unit should be excluded, as the employees holding these positions handle

confidential labor matters, which could unfairly affect collective bargaining negotiations. (JA 16).

The matter remained stagnant for some unexplained time, and a hearing was finally held on March

10th and l l th , 2 0 1 4 . (JA 1 7 , 5 4 , 80).

1
    The petition for unit clarification is the document that began the case before us. Appellant inexplicably failed to

include the petition in the appendix. The appellant must "prepare and file an appendix to the briefs which shall

contain... relevant portions of th e . . . parts of the record referred to in the briefs at such length as may be necessary to

preserve context." V.I. R. APP. P. 24(a). It is also "the joint responsibility of the parties to ensure that the contents of

the joint appendix are sufficient to enable review[,]" Fontaine v. People, 56 V.I. 660,665 n.2 (V.I. 2012) (emphasis

kept) and therefore the appellee(s) are just as responsible for deficiencies within the appendices. Deficient appendices

waste scarce judicial resources and delay the appellate process for litigants seeking redress in courts of the Virgin

Islands. To protect the appellate process, the failure to follow this Court's rules regarding appendices will result in

sanctions against the appellant or his counsel or appellee or its counsel. Id.
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Opinion of the Court

Page 3 of 14

'I' 3    The PERB issued a decision and order on June 29, 2 0 1 5 , (JA 16-48), holding that certain

positions within the Recruitment and Classification Unit of the DOP, specifically the "Supervisor,

Recruitment    and     Classification   position,   and   the   Territorial   Administrator,    Recruitment     and

Classification position," are excluded from the bargaining unit. (JA 42-44).                   Simmonds as the

Supervisor, and Aubain as the Territorial Administrator, are directly affected by the PERB's

decision.   They   are each   other's   counterparts,     performing    substantially the      same   duties,   with

Simmonds located on Saint Croix, and Aubain on Saint Thomas. (JA 56-58, 168) (Appellant's Br.

at 8).

'II 4    The PERB found that Simmonds, as Supervisor, is "given wide latitude to perform her

duties and exercises independent judgment." (JA 42). Specifically, the PERB found that these

duties include evaluating applicants for positions within the DOP, developing job specifications

and rating jobs for grade and step (which affects the salary of those positions, including those

within the USW bargaining units), investigating personnel matters, and handling labor relations

issues. (JA 42). The PERB also found that Simmonds assists in all agency personnel matters, and

that she interprets and implements personnel rules/regulations, including applicable provisions of

collective bargaining agreements. (JA 42-43). The PERB concluded that Simmonds is privy to

confidential labor related information that is not already known to the union. (JA 43).

'II 5    As Simmonds' counterpart on Saint Thomas, the PERB similarly found that Aubain is also

privy to confidential labor related information not known to the union. (JA 43-44). "The Director

[of the Unit] testified that Ms. Aubain is his 'right hand' and has a broad scope in making decisions

regarding what grade a position falls in and what qualifications should be included or excluded

from a job description, and she administers promotional examinations." (JA 43). Due to these

findings, both Simmonds and Aubain were excluded from the bargaining unit. (JA 43-44).
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Opinion of the Court

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,r 6     Following the PERB's determinations, USW filed a petition for review in the Superior

Court and filed its brief on April         12, 2019. (JA 290 [part of SJA]). The Superior Court issued a

memorandum opinion and order which was entered by the clerk on August 19, 2020, agreeing with

the    PERB' s   finding     that   Simmonds      and    Aubain     each   satisfy   the   requirements      for   being

"confidential employees," due to their involvement in setting parameters for hiring, determining

eligibility for employees, and inputting data for salaries and job descriptions, which directly affect

labor relations. (JA 13). The Superior Court enforced the PERB's order.

7        USW timely filed this appeal on October 19, 2020. (Notice of Appeal: Docket Entry 1 of

3 1 ) (Appellant's Br. at I). See V.I. R. APP. P. 5(a)(I) (60-day time limit when government is a

party to the appeal).

                       II.      JURISDICTION AND STANDARD OF REVIEW

8        Title 4, subsection 32(a) of the Virgin Islands Code states that "[t]he Supreme Court shall

have jurisdiction over all appeals arising from final judgments, final decrees or final orders of the

Superior Court, or as otherwise provided by law." A final order ends litigation on the merits,

leaving nothing else for the court to do except execute the judgment. Estate o
                                                                             f Skepple v. Bank o
                                                                                               f

Nova Scotia, 69 V.I. 700, 7 1 4 (V.I. 2018). "Because the Superior Court's [August 13, 2020,) Order

ended the litigation on the merits, it constitutes a final judgment; therefore, this Court possesses

jurisdiction over this appeal." Pub. Emps. Rel. Bd. v. United Indus. Workers-Seafarers Int'l Union,

                                    2
56 V.I. 429,433 (V.I. 2012).

The Superior Court derives its jurisdiction to review the order of the PERB from 24 V.I.C. § 380(a) ("Any party

aggrieved by any final order of the PERB... may appeal to the Superior Court of the Virgin Islands....") (JA 2). See

also Appellant's Br. at I). However,§ 380(d) states that "[t]he Federal District Court of the Virgin Islands shall have

appellate jurisdiction of any decision of the Superior Court made pursuant to this chapter unless otherwise prohibited

by law." The reference to the District Court in $ 380(d) was implicitly repealed by the establishment of the Supreme

Court of the Virgin Islands in 2007, and we therefore have jurisdiction. See Beachside Assocs., LLC v. Fishman, 54

V.I. 4 1 8 , 4 2 1 n.3 (V.I. 2010) ("[R]eferences to the 'district court' enacted prior to the subsequent reduction in the
United Steelworkers v. Gov 't (DOP) & The PERB          2024 VI 9

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Opinion of the Court

Page 5 of 14

1[ 9      "Questions of law receive plenary review." Williams-Jackson v. Pub. Emps. Rel. Bd., 52

V.I. 445, 450 (V.I. 2009).         In this case, "we review questions of fact to ascertain whether the

PERB's factual detenninations are supported by 'substantial evidence in the record considered as

a whole."" Id. (quoting 3 V.I.C. § 530a(b)). See 24 V.I.C. § 380(b). "Substantial evidence is such

'evidence that a reasonable mind would accept as adequate to support an agency's conclusion."'

Williams-Jackson, 52 V.I. at 450 (quoting Lockhart v.                  Matthew, 203 F. Supp. 2d 403, 412-13

(D.V.I. 2002) (quoting At/. Limousine, Inc. v. NLRB, 243 F.3d 7 1 1 , 7 1 8 (3d Cir. 2001)).

                                              III.      DISCUSSION

1[ 10     On appeal, USW argues that the Superior Court erred in enforcing the PERB's order, which

excluded Simmonds and Aubain from the bargaining unit. (Appellant's Br. at 1-2). USW asserts

that Simmonds and Aubain do not have the independence and discretion that the PERB found them

to have. USW specifically asserts that Simmonds and Aubain are not as involved in decision

making, developing job specifications, and rating jobs or employee eligibility as the PERB found,

and that they never handle labor related issues. For these reasons, USW maintains that Simmonds

and Aubain are not confidential employees and should not be excluded from the bargaining unit.

(Appellant's Br. At 6-10). This Court disagrees.

                                               A.    Applicable Law

$11       In    1980, "[t)he Virgin Islands legislature enacted PELRA [the Public Employee Labor

Relations Act] to 'provide for orderly and constructive relationships between public employers

and     their   employees.'    PELRA       sets   out   the   rights   of   public   employees      regarding     labor

District Court's jurisdiction over purely local matters ha[ve] been implicitly repealed.") (citing Parrott v. Gov't o
                                                                                                                    f the

V./., 230 F.3d 6 1 5 (3d Cir. 2000)). See also Der Weer v. Hess Oil Virgin Islands Corp., 64 VJ. 160, 168 (VJ. Super.

Ct. 2016) ("[The Legislature never comprehensively revised the Virgin Islands Code to remove the remaining (and

sometimes inconsistent) references to the District Court of the Virgin Islands.").
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organizations." Gomez v. Gov't of the V. l , 882 F.2d 733, 736-37 (3d Cir. 1989) (citing 24 V.I.C.

§ § 3 6 1 , 363 ). PEL RA also "provides for the creation of the ... PERB, and gives PERB the power

to certify and decertify representatives of appropriate bargaining units, establish rules, conduct

hearings, and carry out other duties, similar to those performed by the NLRB [(National Labor

Relations Board)]." Id. at 737 (citing 24 V.1.C. $$ 364-366, 370-373). See 24 V.1.C. § 364 (creating

the PERB on June 2,          1980).   Pursuant to title 24, chapter   14 of the Virgin Islands Code, the

Government declares that in order "to provide for orderly and constructive relationships between

public employers and their employees" it "fully accept[s] the principle and procedure of collective

bargaining" for public employees. 24 V.I.C. § 361. Chapter 14 further provides that "[s]ubject to

the provisions of this chapter, public employees shall have and do have the right to                 . . . be

represented by labor organizations and to engage in collective bargaining with the Government in

the determination of the wages, hours, or other terms and conditions of employment and the

administration of grievances arising thereunder." 24 V.1.C.           § 363(b). The chapter defines the

phrases "employee" and "public employee" as

        any person holding a position by appointment or employment in the service of a

        public employer, but does not include:

                 ( 1)       persons holding elective office;

                 (2)        political appointees exempt from the classified service by paragraph

        (8). subsection (b), section 4 5 1 a of Title 3 of this Code:

                 (3)        employees of the Legislature;

                 (4)        judges in the judicial branch;

                 (5)        Radiologists,    anesthesiologists,   psychiatrists,   pulmonologists,

        gastroenterologists, internists, neurologists, urologists, hospitalists, cardiologists,

        nephrologists, and critical care physicians in the Governor Juan F. Luis Hospital

        and Medical Center and the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital and Community Health

        Care Center.
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                                             3
24 V.I.C. § 362(g) (emphasis added).             In tum, title 3, section 451a(b)(8) provides that an exempt

political employee is "an officer or employee in a position of a policy-determining nature when

the position is so designated by the Governor and submitted to the Legislature; and an employee

who     is a special assistant, or who       is on special assignment to, or whose position requires a

confidential relationship with a policy-making official when the position is so designated by the

Governor and submitted to the Legislature."

,r 12      In its June 29, 2 0 1 5 order, the PERB relied entirely on these Virgin Islands statutes to arrive

at its decision excluding Simmonds and Aubain from the bargaining unit.                  Specifically, the PERB

determined in its June 29, 2 0 1 5 order that Simmonds and Aubain are not appropriate for inclusion

in the bargaining unit because their positions "require[] a confidential relationship with a policy­

making official" within the meaning of title 3, section 451a(b)(8), and that they were therefore not

"public employees" due to the exclusion found in section 363(b)(2) of title 24.

$13        The Superior Court, however, did not apply these Virgin Islands statutes in reaching its

decision. Rather, it exclusively applied federal case law interpreting the federal National Labor

Relations Act.      The Superior Court adopted the "labor nexus test" adopted by the Supreme Court

of the United States in NLRB v. Hendricks County Rural Electric Membership Corp., 454 U.S. 170

( 1 9 8 1 ) for purposes of determining whether a confidential employee is entitled to participate in

collective bargaining under the NLRA.             It further adopted a decision of a federal appellate court

that endorsed a narrow construction of what it means to be a confidential employee for purposes

of the NLRA, so that a confidential employee may participate in collective bargaining under the

3
    The phrase "confidential employee" is also defined in section 362(q) as "those persons who assist and act in a

confidential capacity to persons who formulate, determine, and effectuate management policies in the field of labor

relations, as determined by the Public Employees Relations Board pursuant to section 370 of this chapter."   However,

neither the phrase "confidential employee"-nor even the word "confidential" appears anywhere else in chapter 14

of title 24.
United Steelworkers v. Gov't (DOP) & The PERB         2024 VI 9

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Opinion of the Court

Page 8 of 14

NLRA if the confidential information the employee accesses is internal, routine, or administrative

in nature. See     Westinghouse Elec.       Corp.   v. NLRB, 398       F.2d 669 (6th Cir.     1968). The Superior

Court then adopted the federal definition of "supervisor" found in the NLRA, which defines that

term as encompassing

          any individual having authority, in the interest of the employer, to hire, transfer,

          suspend,     lay   off, recall, promote, discharge, assign,       reward, or discipline other

          employees, or responsibly to direct them, or to adjust their grievances, or effectively

          to recommend such action, if in connection with the foregoing the exercise of such

          authority    is    not of a merely   routine   or clerical   nature,    but requires   the   use   of

          independent judgment.

29 U.S.C.      § 1 5 2 ( 11 ) . The Superior Court then proceeded to determine whether Simmonds and

Aubain were confidential employees and supervisors pursuant to the above-referenced federal case

law and federal statutes.

,i 14     The Superior Court erred by failing to apply Virgin Islands law to this case.                  The August

19, 2020 opinion provides no explanation as why the Superior Court believed that these federal

authorities provided the         exclusive rule of decision       in this case.    However,   it is    likely that the

Superior Court believed that it was required to apply the federal NLRA in lieu of the relevant

Virgin Islands statutes because the Revised Organic Act of 1954 precludes the Virgin Islands

Legislature from adopting legislation which is "inconsistent w i t h . . . the laws of the United States

made applicable to the Virgin Islands." 48 U.S.C. § 1574(a). But if this were the case, the Superior

Court overlooked the fact that the federal NLRA expressly and unambiguously excludes public

sector employers from the definition of "employer." See 29 U.S.C. § 15202)("The term 'employer'

. . .   shall not include the United States or any wholly owned Government corporation, or any

                                                                                          4
Federal Reserve Bank, or any State or political subdivision thereof . . . . ").

4
    Although section   I 52(2) uses the word "State," the National Labor Relations Board-the federal administrative
United Steelworkers v. Gov't (DOP) & The PERB          2024 VI 9

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Opinion of the Court

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15       Because public employers are entirely exempt from its provisions, "the [NLRA] leaves

States free to regulate their labor relationships with their public employees" however they see fit.

Davenport v.     Wash. Educ. Ass 'n, 5 5 1 U.S. 177, 1 8 1 (2007).         That is precisely whatthe Legislature

did in enacting title 24, chapter 14 of the Virgin Islands Code, by permitting some-but not all­

public employees to be represented by a labor organization in collective bargaining with the

Government.       Consequently, the Superior Court erred when it used non-applicable federal law to

review the June 29, 2015 PERB order to the exclusion of governing Virgin Islands statutory law.

,r 1 6   But while the Superior Court analyzed the USW's claims under inapplicable federal law,

we conclude that it ultimately arrived at the correct result in affirming the PERB's decision to

exclude Simmonds and Aubain from the bargaining unit. The PERB determined in its June 29,

2015 order that Simmonds and Aubain are not appropriate for inclusion in the bargaining unit

because their positions "require[] a confidential relationship with a policy-making official" within

the meaning of title 3, section 451a(b)(8), and that they were therefore not "public employees" due

to the exclusion       found   in   section   363(b )(2)   of title 24.   While determining what a particular

individual's job duties entail is a question of fact, and this Court must defer to the PERB' s

resolution of that question ifit is supported by substantial evidence, Williams-Jackson, 52 V.I. at

450, whether those duties, as found by the PERB, satisfy the legal definition of an exempt political

appointee as set forth in section 451a(b)(8) is a question oflaw for this Court to determine. Accord,

agency charged with enforcing the NLRA has adopted a regulation clarifying that "[t]he term State includes the

District of Columbia and all States, territories, and possessions of the United States."   29 C.F.R. § 102.l(g).   Even if

this were not the case, courts have interpreted statutes with similar exclusionary language to exclude the Virgin Islands

on grounds that it is an instrumentality of the United States.   See also Smith v.   V.I. Port Auth., 457 Fed. App'x. 183

(3d Cir. 2012); Smith v.   V.l. Port Auth., 46 V.I. 466,482 (D.V.I. 2005); see also Balboni v. Ranger Am. o
                                                                                                          f the V.I.,

Inc., 70 V.I. I 048, 1083 (V.I. 2019) ("[E]ach act of the Virgin Islands Government-and the three branches thereof­

is effectively an act of the federal government."); Gov't o
                                                          f the V.l. v. Christensen, 673 F.2d 713, 7 1 6 (3d Cir. 1982)

(holding that the Government of the Virgin Islands acts as "an arm of the federal government").
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Opinion of the Coun

Page 1 0 o f l 4

One Equal Voice • Illinois Educ. Labor Relations Bd., 777 N.E.2d 6 4 8 , 6 5 3 (Ill. Ct. App. 2002).

17        Applying these           standards,       we   cannot conclude that the                PERB       erred in characterizing

Simmonds and Aubain as political appointees. The PERB found that Simmonds holds a position

titled "Supervisor, Recruitment and Classification" and determined that the duties of this position

are as follows:

          • Supervises and coordinates the activities of the Recruitment and Classification

          Section.       Assigns     and     reviews        the    work        of    subordinates       for    accuracy     and

          completeness. Prepares probation and annual evaluation report[s] of subordinates.

          Prepares budget estimates of the activities of the section when required.

          • Researches and investigates personnel matters, concerns, issues and recommends

          appropriate solutions in writing to the Director or Assistant Director.

          •   Serves     as    consultant      in    providing       assistance         to    department[ s]/agencies        in

          resolving management problems.

          • Manages, edits, and maintains the Human Resources Information System for

          maintenance of system integrity and confidentiality.

          • Conducts job analysis sessions, in order to determine appropriate job titles and

          obtain pertinent information necessary for the construction of job related test[ s].

          •   Responds        to   numerous     public      inquiries,         via    telephone,      personal   contact,    or

          correspondence in regards to recruitment, certification and classification matters.

          • Performs other duties as required or assigned by the Director of Personnel.

(JA 24). The PERB also credited Simmonds's own testimony that she "has made recommendations

for certain job descriptions, and participates in the rating of a job spec which affects the grade and

salary   of the      position."     (Id.).   The     PERB         found    the       testimony   of the       Director   of Personnel

persuasive.        The   PERB       likewise        found    that    Simmonds           exercises       independent      judgment   in

providing      recommendations           on    financial      matters          and    funding    to   the   Director     of Personnel,

providing analysis for the purpose of laying off employees, as well as in developing and rating

positions     for grade and         step,    thereby     affecting      the     salary    associated        with the positions,   and

potentially        influencing     labor     negotiations         due     to    her    knowledge        and    discretion    regarding

employee's positions and compensation. (JA 42, 67-68,                                83-84,   88-89).
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Opinion of the Court

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1 18     With respect to Aubain, the PERB determined that she held a position titled "Territorial

Administrator, Recruitment and Classification" and that the duties of that position were as follows:

         • Makes recommendation[s] on classification matters such as approval/disapproval

         on waiver request[ s] for the Director of Personnel signature.

         • Manages activities of the Recruitment and Classification Section. Assigns and

         reviews       the    work     of   subordinates       for    accuracy          and   completeness.       Prepares

         probation and annual evaluation reports for subordinates. Prepares budget estimates

         of the activities of the section when required.

         •    Serves    as    consultant       in    providing      assistance      to     department[ s]/agencies          in

         resolving management problems.

         • Manages,          edits,   and maintains the            Human     Resource         Information       System     for

         maintenance of system integrity and confidentiality.

         •    Consult[s)      with    Agency        heads     on    Labor    Relations        inclusive    of    [a)   salary

         assignment that results in a position reallocation.

         • Manages and maintains the Classification Plan,                               which consists of over           1200

         classified     position      titles   and    edits   the   date    in    the    system    to   ensure    accuracy.

         Prepares class allocations to delete or create position titles. Prepare[ s] cost analysis

        relative to allocation of positions, when necessary.

         •    Review    all    draft job       descriptions    for    conformity          with    Personnel      Rules   and

         Regulations.

         • Establishes and implements policies and procedures for the effective operation of

        the Recruitment and Classification Section.

         • Responds to          numerous public          inquiries,     via telephone,           personnel      contact,   or

        correspondence in regards to recruitment, certification and classification matters.

(JA 25).      The PERB likewise relied on Aubain's own testimony to find that "she views her staff

work    for    conformity        with    the     Personnel      Rules       and    Regulations,"         "gives    suggestions   or

recommendations for any language for any policies that would affect her unit," and "attends policy

meetings and provides her input when necessary." (Id.).                             It also relied on testimony from the

Director of Personnel that Aubain was like his "right hand," and that she had a wide scope of

independent judgment and decision-making authority,                              in addition to administering promotion

examinations, as well as other indicia of confidentiality, which includes exercising judgment over

applicants'      eligibility for positions, rating different positions, and assisting in creating a recall

policy for laid-off employees. (JA 43 ,               146-147,      155).
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19       Based on the above, this Court concludes that the Superior Court did not err in finding that

substantial evidence exists to support the PERB' s determination. Aubain assists the Director of

Personnel and makes decisions and recommendations that create or affect the DOP's policies in

the field oflabor relations. (JA 43, 144, 146-147, 155). Likewise, Simmonds assists in developing

job   specifications,    provides      financial   analysis   regarding   positions   with the   DOP,    and   makes

recommendations to the Director that directly influence the DOP's policies in the field of labor

relations.   (JA   42,   67-68,    83-84,   88-89).   Therefore,    both   the   Recruitment     and   Classification

Supervisor and Territorial Administrator positions meet the statutory definition of a political

appointee under § 362(g)(2), as they assist and act in a confidential capacity to persons who

formulate, determine, and effectuate management policies in the field of labor relations as provided

for in title 4, section 451a(b)(8) of the Virgin Islands Code. Accordingly, this Court affirms the

Superior Court's order enforcing the PERB's order.

                                  B.   Cross Appeal: Supervisory Employees

120      The DOP also filed a cross appeal in this case, asserting that the Superior Court erred when

it sua sponte determined that Adonna Duggins (Personnel Records Management Supervisor) and

Rochelle Benjamin (Financial Management Supervisor) are "non-supervisory employees."

$21      Duggins and Benjamin are both employees whom the PERB found to be confidential and

excluded from the bargaining unit. (JA 41-42). The Superior Court reversed the determination of

the PERB regarding these employees, concluding that they are not confidential employees, and

reinstated their positions within the bargaining unit. (JA 12). The DOP argues that the Superior

Court erred in ruling on the supervisory status of these positions, and by determining that Duggins

and Benjamin are non-supervisory employees because the issue of supervisory status was never

raised before the Superior Court. (Appellee DOP's Br. at 15).
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22       The PERB in its decision, and USW in its petition for writ of review to the Superior Court,

state several times that all the positions at issue are supervisory. (JA 1 7 - 1 9 , SJA 260, 262-63). See

JA   1 9 ("Petitioner states that the supervisors of these units [of the DOP]                    should be deemed as

confidential employees and not unionized employees. And, the petitioner is asking the PERB to

review each supervisory           position to determine whether they             should be excluded           from USW's

supervisory bargaining unit."). USW never claimed in its petition that any of the employees were

non-supervisory, nor did it argue that the PERB erred in referring to the positions as supervisory.

This issue was not before the PERB (Appellee PERB's Br. At 5), nor was it properly before the

Superior Court.

$23      It is only "in rare, exceptional cases a court of review can sua sponte address an issue not

raised   on    appeal."   Francis   ».    People,    57   V.I.   201,   253   (V.I.   2012)   (citing   United States   v.

Bendolph, 409 F.3d 1 5 5 ,        161    (3d Cir. 2005)). Cf 24 V.I.C. $ 380(b) ("No objection not urged

before the PERB shall be considered in a review by the Superior Court unless the failure to urge

the objection is excused by the court because of extraordinary circumstances."). This is not one of

those rare, exceptional cases. The parties did not argue, nor did they ask the PERB to determine,

whether    employees      were    supervisory       or non-supervisory.        Whether    Duggins'      and   Benjamin's

positions are classified as supervisory, or not, does not go to the ultimate issue, which, according

to USW's petition for unit clarification,             is whether the employees in this case are considered

"confidential" for the purposes of joining the bargaining unit. Because the issue of supervisory

status is not relevant to deciding the issue of confidentiality and because the parties did not raise

the issue of supervisory status before the Superior Court, this Court vacates the portion of the

Superior      Court's   opinion   and    order   finding    that   Duggins     and    Benjamin    are   non-supervisory

employees.
United Steelworkers v. Gov't (DOP) & The PERB          2024 VI 9

S. Ct. Civ. No. 2020-0106

Opinion of the Court

Page 1 4 o f l 4

                                               IV.    CONCLUSION

,r 24     The Superior Court erred by relying on federal case law and the labor-nexus test rather than

24 V.1.C. §362(q) in determining which employees are "confidential." However, this error was

harmless, as the PERB correctly excluded Simmonds and Aubain from the bargaining unit because

they     were      political   appointees   who   possessed   confidential   relationships   with   policy-making

officials. The Superior Court did not err in finding that substantial evidence supports the PERB's

decision. Therefore, we affirm the Superior Court's order enforcing the underlying order of the

PERB.

25        Regarding the DOP's cross-appeal, the Superior Court erred when it sua sponte found that

Duggins      and      Benjamin     are   non-supervisory   employees.   Supervisory    classification   is   neither

relevant to the issues in this case, nor was it raised before the Superior Court by the parties.

Accordingly, this Court will vacate the portion of the Superior Court's opinion and order finding

that Duggins and Benjamin are non-supervisory employees.

Dated this 7th day of February, 2024.

                                                                        BY THE COURT:

ATTEST:
                                                                        Associate Justi° ­
VERONICA J. HANDY, ESQ.

Clerk of the Court

By: Isl Jahkyda Coakley

        Deputy Clerk II

Dated:
          February 7, 2024                    _