The firefighters’ union in San Luis Obispo filed an unfair practice charge with the California Public Employment Relations Board (PERB), alleging the city and City Attorney Christine Dietrick imposed an unlawful gag order.
The Aug. 31 complaint claims that Dietrick violated the Meyers-Milias-Brown Act, which regulates labor-management relations in California local government.
Under that act, employees of local public agencies have the right to form, join, and participate in employee organizations, like unions and bargaining units. PERB holds jurisdiction over certain disputes pertaining to the act.
“What we have is a city attorney … who has some sort of vendetta against the firefighters, and it seems to be a mystery to everybody as to why that is,” said John Bagala, the 10th District state representative of the International Association of Fire Fighters. “There’s been a lot of unnecessary and arbitrary investigations initiated, many of which cost a tremendous amount of money and resources.”
The complaint centers on SLO Fire Department Battalion Chief Ray Hais and an interview notice issued to him by the city in August 2025 for “potential misuse of leave and shift trades by members of the Fire Department.”
The notice prohibited Hais from discussing the investigation with other city employees. He was allowed to communicate with the investigator, Human Resources, and his union representative if the representative wasn’t involved in the investigation, according to the complaint.
‘What we have is a city attorney … who has some sort of vendetta against the firefighters, and it seems to be a mystery to everybody as to why that is.’
—John Bagala, 10th District state representative of the International Association of Fire Fighters
The PERB complaint added that the city placed Hais on administrative leave after the November 2025 interview. The leave would stretch until the city completed administrative investigations. Hais attended several interviews into March 2026 related to allegations about potential gender bias within the Fire Department and misuse of a city vehicle and city-compensated time.
By Aug. 18, 2026, the city and Hais reached a verbal agreement on the disciplinary matter where the battalion chief would serve a six-day suspension.
“At no point did the city prohibit Hais from or indicate he should not communicate with other employees regarding the matter,” the complaint said.
New Times obtained screenshots of a text message reportedly sent by Hais on Aug. 19 to some union members alerting them about the agreement. The text message stated that Hais would return to work on Sept. 11 and thanked the union members for their support during the investigation. It didn’t disclose the terms of the agreement.
“As members of Local 3523 [union] in good standing, and because they report to Hais, his return to work affects those members’ working conditions by altering schedules, assignments, and communication processes,” the complaint said. “Hais’ text allowed them to prepare for his expected return to duty.”
According to the complaint, the day after the text exchange, Dietrick demanded that then Acting Deputy Fire Chief John MacDonald meet with her. The city attorney allegedly stated, “We have a big problem” about MacDonald “sharing information (he) did not have the right to share.”
“Understanding the meeting to be a compelled investigative interview, in which he may be a subject, MacDonald brought two Local 3523 representatives with him, President Eric Lokkart and former Vice President Alec Flatos. Human Resources Director [Nickole] Domini was also present,” the complaint said. “Dietrick expressed disapproval of MacDonald’s representatives, stating he ‘did not need to bring an army.’”
Dietrick allegedly interrogated the union representatives about the text messages and ordered Flatos to create a group message with her and Domini to identify and obtain information from all potentially involved employees and union members, according to the complaint. Domini also directed Lokkart to disclose his discussions with the fire chief about the logistics of Hais’ return to duty.
By Aug. 26—following an investigation, Dietrick’s alleged accusation that Hais breached confidentiality, and the union’s filing of a formal complaint with the city manager and SLO City Council—the city had issued Hais a notice of intent, recommending termination for the alleged misconduct.
Hais is still working for the city while the intent to terminate is active, according to Bagala.
It’s not the first PERB complaint SLO has faced.
In 2016, SLO City Council approved a settlement with the SLO Police Officers Association that put to rest a fight that began in 2011.
The police association had filed the complaint when the council voted to place a measure on a special election ballot that would eliminate the use of an independent third party to settle labor disagreements in disputes between SLO’s police and fire department unions.
The police association received $150,000 under that settlement and dropped the PERB complaint.
PERB will now evaluate the firefighters union’s charges against the city and Dietrick. If there’s sufficient evidence, the board will issue a complaint, triggering an informal settlement conference. A formal hearing will follow if a settlement can’t be reached.
The city disputed the charges outlined in the complaint in a statement to New Times.
“We take potential breaches of public trust very seriously, and the investigation resulted in findings of misconduct. The city’s subsequent disciplinary action to hold an individual Fire Department employee accountable and its current position regarding these issues can be found in Exhibits K and M to the charge filed by the union,” the statement said. “We respect employees’ rights and the legal, public process, and will participate in good faith. We are hopeful we can work toward a resolution that reflects accountability, stewardship of public resources, and a commitment to ethical public service.” ∆
This article appears in Oct 1-8, 2026.
