Sweet v. Pa. Lrb, 322 A.2d 362 (Pa. 1974). · Go Syfert
Search
Sweet v. Pa. Lrb, 322 A.2d 362 (Pa. 1974). Cases Citing This Book View Copy Cite
G Cite
cited 2× by 1 distinct case · …the relation between employer and employe exists when a party has the right to select the employe, the power to discharge him, and right to direct both the work to be done and the manner in which such work shall be done. at p. 365 ✓
243 citation events (46 in the last 25 years) across 15 distinct courts.
Strongest positive: Borough of Emmaus v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (pacommwct, 2017-03-13)
Treatment trajectory · 1974 → 2026 · click a year to view as-of
1974 2000 2026
Top citers, strongest first. 32 distinct citers. How cited ↗
examined Cited as authority (verbatim quote) Borough of Emmaus v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (7×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 2017 · signal: see · quote attribution · 2 verbatim quotes · confidence high
the relation between employer and employe exists when a party has the right to select the employe, the power to discharge him, and right to direct both the work to be done and the manner in which such work shall be done.
discussed Cited as authority (quoted) Cottingham v. Tutor Perini Building Corp. (2×) also: Cited as authority (rule)
E.D. Pa. · 2017 · signal: see · quote attribution · 1 verbatim quote · confidence high
the duty to pay an employee's salary is often coincident with the status of employer, but not solely determinative of that status.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. McGee, R., Aplt.
Pa. · 2023 · confidence medium
V, § 1 (vesting judicial power in the Unified Judicial System); Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Bd., 322 A.2d 362, 365 (Pa. 1974). 2 Commonwealth v. Holmes, 933 A.2d 57, 65-67 (Pa. 2007) (upholding the court’s inherent authority to correct patent and obvious mistakes in its orders against purported statutory limitations upon this authority). 3 Id.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) In Re: Appeal of City of Philadelphia From The Decision of the Board of License and Inspection Review Appeal of: N. Tsiakanikas
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 2017 · confidence medium
Indeed, ‘a statute cannot be dissected into individual words, each one being thrown onto the anvil of dialectics to be hammered into a meaning which has no association with the words from which it has violently been separated.’”) (citations omitted). 8 Relations Board, 322 A.2d 362, 365 (Pa. 1974) (“The more fundamental question of whether an employer-employe relationship exists is one of first impression with this Court in the context of labor relations.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees, District Council 87 v. County of Lackawanna
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 2014 · confidence medium
Our Supreme Court has held that the “courts of this Commonwealth under our Constitution have certain inherent rights and powers to do all such things as are reasonably necessary for the administration of justice.” Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, County of Washington, 457 Pa. 456 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Court of Common Pleas v. Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (2×)
Pa. · 1996 · confidence medium
Sweet v. Pa. Labor Relations Bd., 457 Pa. 456, 462-63 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Court of Common Pleas of Erie County v. Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1994 · confidence medium
Under the Constitution, the courts of this Commonwealth have “certain inherent rights and powers to do all such things as are reasonably necessary for the administration of justice.” Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456, 462 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974). 3 The doctrine of separation of powers mandates that these powers of the judiciary not be encroached upon, policed or diminished by another branch of government.
examined Cited as authority (rule) Golebieski v. Public School Employees Retirement Board (3×) also: Cited "see"
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1993 · confidence medium
Id. 457 Pa. at 462 , 322 A.2d at 365 (citations omitted) (emphasis added). 2 Thus, in Rodgers v. Washington County Institution Dist., 349 Pa. 357 , 37 A.2d 610 (1944), the Supreme Court observed that where a person whose salary was paid solely by the National Youth Administration was sent to perform services in a state or county institution and was subject to the control and direction of the latter, she could be an employee of the latter. 3 Hence, the Board and the Majority erroneously rely upon the payment of the salary as an exclusive consideration in deciding the existence of an employment …
examined Cited as authority (rule) Golebieski v. PUBLIC SCH. EMP. RET. BD. (3×) also: Cited "see"
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1993 · confidence medium
Id. 457 Pa. at 462 , 322 A.2d at 365 (citations omitted) (emphasis added). [2] Thus, in Rodgers v. Washington County Institution Dist., 349 Pa. 357 , 37 A.2d 610 (1944), the Supreme Court observed that where a person whose salary was paid solely by the National Youth Administration was sent to perform services in a state or county institution and was subject to the control and direction of the latter, she could be an employee of the latter. [3] Hence, the Board and the Majority erroneously *137 rely upon the payment of the salary as an exclusive consideration in deciding the existence of an em…
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Moore v. Diaz
Pa. Super. Ct. · 1993 · confidence medium
In so concluding, we note that the "relation of employer and employee exists when a party has the right to select the employee, the power to discharge him, and the right to direct both the work to be done and the manner in which such work shall be done.” Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456, 462 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974).
cited Cited as authority (rule) United Ass'n of Journeymen & Apprentices v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1992 · confidence medium
Id., 457 Pa. at 462 , 322 A.2d at 365 (citations omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Novembrino v. International Ass'n of Machinists & Aerospace Workers Lodge 2462
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1992 · confidence medium
The Court, finding that because “judicial power includes the authority to select persons whose services may be required in judicial proceedings or who may be required to act as the assistants of the judges in their performance of their judicial functions,” id., 457 Pa. at 463 , 322 A.2d at 365 (citation omitted), the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County were “at least an employer of some of the employes included in the bargaining unit comprised of court-related employes.” Id.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Mapp v. Gimbels Department Store
Pa. · 1988 · confidence medium
“The relation of employer and employe exists when a party has the right to select the employe, the power to discharge him, and the right to direct both the work to be done and the manner in which such work shall be done.” Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Bd., 457 Pa. 456, 462 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974).
examined Cited as authority (rule) Joyce, Mary and Joyce, Michael, H/w v. Super Fresh Food Markets, Inc. Appeal of Mary and Michael Joyce (3×) also: Cited "see"
3rd Cir. · 1987 · confidence medium
In determining which of two employers possesses the right to control an employee, Pennsylvania courts have looked at several factors including which party has the right to hire and the right to fire, 3 Walters v. Kaufmann Department Stores, 334 Pa. 233, 236 , 5 A.2d 559, 560 (1939), which party has the obligation to pay wages, Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Rd., 457 Pa. 456, 462 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974), which party supplies the employee with the tools of her job, Mohan, 422 Pa. at 591 , 222 A.2d at 878 , and to which party the employee normally reports, Walters, 334 Pa. at 237 , 5 A.…
cited Cited as authority (rule) Feingold v. Hill
Pa. · 1987 · confidence medium
See 42 Pa.C.S.A. § 2301(a)(1); also see Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456, 462-463 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Commonwealth v. Della Vecchia
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1985 · confidence medium
In Sweet I, our Supreme Court held that in addition to the county commissioners, the judges of the ¡court of common pleas ‘ ‘ are at least an employer of some of the employes included in the bargaining unit comprised of court-related employes.” Id. at 462 , 322 A.2d at 365 (emphasis in original).
cited Cited as authority (rule) American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, District Council 84 v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1984 · confidence medium
Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456, 462 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974).
cited Cited as authority (rule) Montgomery Township v. Commonwealth, Bureau of Social Security for Public Employees
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1982 · confidence medium
Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456, 462 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Washington County Commissioners v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (2×)
Pa. · 1980 · confidence medium
In Sweet v. PLRB, 457 Pa. 456 , 322 A.2d 362 (1974) (Sweet I), we answered in the affirmative, holding that the judges “are at least an employer of some oí the employees included in the bargaining unit comprised of court-related employees” Id, 457 Pa. at 462, 322 A.2d at 365 (emphasis in original).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (2×)
Pa. · 1978 · confidence medium
This Court reversed: “Our review of the present record convinces us that appellants are at least an employer of some employes included in the bargaining unit comprised of court-related employes.” Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456, 462 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974) (emphasis in original) (Sweet I).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Ellenbogen v. County of Allegheny (2×)
Pa. · 1978 · confidence medium
We held that judges “are at least an employer of some of the employes included in the bargaining unit composed of court-related employees.” Id. 457 Pa. at 462 , 322 A.2d at 365 (emphasis in original). 7 Petitioners then filed a petition requesting the Board to clarify its order and to dismiss the unions’ petitions for representation, contending that under Sweet I petitioners, and not respondents, are the public employer of employees of the court.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Coleman v. Board of Education of School District
Pa. · 1978 · confidence medium
In Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456, 462 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974), we stated: “The relation of employer and employe exists when a party has the right to select the employe, the power to discharge him, and the right to direct both the work to be done and the manner in which such work shall be done.
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Columbia, Snyder, Montour, Union Mental Health/Mental Retardation Program v. Commonwealth
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1978 · confidence medium
In Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456, 462 , 322 A.2d 362, 365 (1974), our Supreme Court held that an employer-employee relation ship exists within the context of labor relations “when a party has the right to select the employe, the power to discharge him, and the right to direct both the work to be done and the manner in which such work shall be done.” Here the record clearly supports the Board’s conclusion that these criteria are met solely by the petitioner.
examined Cited as authority (rule) Costigan v. Philadelphia Finance Department Employees Local 696 (4×)
Pa. · 1975 · confidence medium
The tests developed in other areas of the law for ascertaining the existence of an employer-employe relationship, however, are equally probative of the issue as presented in the instant case.” Id. at 461-62, 322 A.2d at 364-65 (emphasis in original, footnote omitted).
discussed Cited as authority (rule) Wills Eye Hospital v. Commonwealth
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1974 · confidence medium
However, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania in Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456 , 322 A. 2d 362, 365 (1974) did recently construe a standard for an employer-employe relationship under PERA when Chief Justice Jones stated: “The relations of employer and employe exist when a party has the right to select the employe, the power to discharge him, and the right to direct both the work to be done and the manner in which such work shall be done.
discussed Cited "see" First Judicial District of Pa. v. Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission (2×)
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1997 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456 , 322 A.2d 362 (1974); Eshelman v. Commissioners of Berks County, 62 Pa.Cmwlth. 310 , 436 A.2d 710 (1981); Beckert v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, 56 Pa.Cmwlth. 572 , 425 A.2d 859 (1981) affirmed, 501 Pa. 70 , 459 A.2d 756 (1983);. .
discussed Cited "see" In re the Appointment of Antolik (2×)
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1985 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456 , 322 A.2d 362 (1974) (“‘Sweet I”).
examined Cited "see" Commonwealth Ex Rel. Bradley v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (4×)
Pa. · 1978 · signal: see · confidence high
Id.; see Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456 , 322 A.2d 362 (1974) ( Sweet I ). [3] Appellants contend, however, that they are not "public employers" within the meaning of Section 301(1) and that the Legislature's failure to mention the unified judicial system in Section 301(1) and Act 195's assertedly ambiguous scope, demonstrate at least an arguable legislative intent not to include courts under the Act. [4] Appellants believe that we should therefore invoke the canon of statutory construction favoring a narrow reading to avoid perceived constitutional infirmities.
discussed Cited "see" County of Washington v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (2×)
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1976 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456 , 322 A.2d 362 (1974).
discussed Cited "see" County of Washington v. Plrb (2×)
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1976 · signal: see · confidence high
See Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456 , 322 A.2d 362 (1974).
examined Cited "see, e.g." Commonwealth v. Morris (4×)
Pa. · 2001 · signal: see also · confidence low
We acknowledge that the courts of Pennsylvania have certain inherent rights and powers under our constitution, including the right to enter a stay of execution. 17 Comm’rs of Sinking Fund of Philadelphia v. City of Philadelphia, 324 Pa. 129 , 188 A. 314 (1936); see also Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Bd., County of Washington, 457 Pa. 456 , 322 A.2d 362 (1974); Leahey v. Farrell, 362 Pa. 52 , 66 A.2d 577 (1949); Pa.R.A.P. 1701(b)(1).
discussed Cited "see, e.g." Harmony Volunteer Fire Co. v. Commonwealth (2×)
Pa. Commw. Ct. · 1983 · signal: see also · confidence low
See also Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 457 Pa. 456 , 322 A.2d 362 (1974) ; Rodgers v. Washington County Institution District, 349 Pa. 357 , 37 A.2d 610 (1944) ; Jones v. Unemployment Compensation Board of Review, 163 Pa. Superior Ct. 271 , 60 A.2d 568 (1948).
Retrieving the full opinion text from the archive…
Sweet et al., Appellants,
v.
Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board.
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania.
Jul 16, 1974.
322 A.2d 362
Jones, C.J., Eagen, O'brien, Roberts, Pomeroy, Nix and Manderino.
Cited by 1 opinion  |  Published
1 passage pin-cited by 1 case
Pinpoint authority: bottom 70%
Citer courts: E.D. Pennsylvania (1)

Before JONES, C.J., EAGEN, O'BRIEN, ROBERTS, POMEROY, NIX and MANDERINO, JJ.

[*457] David S. Posner, Court Administrator, for appellants.

James F. Wildeman, Louis B. Kushner and Robert D. Douglass, Special Counsel, with them, Raymond W. Cromer, James L. Crawford, James B. Brown, Herman J. Bigi, County Solicitor, Pierce & Douglass, and Rothman, Gordon, Foreman & Groudine, for appellees.

Morton Meyers, for Alton A. McDonald, H. Clifton McWilliams, Jr., Joseph F. O'Kicki and Arnold D. Smorto, Judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Cambria County, amici curiae.

Alexander Unkovic, Frederick J. Francis, and Meyer, Unkovic & Scott, for Pennsylvania Conference of State Trial Judges and the Pennsylvania Bar Association, amicus curiae.

Scott F. Zimmerman, James J. Restivo, Jr., and Reed, Smith, Shaw & McClay, for Court of Common Pleas of Allegheny County, amicus curiae.

OPINION BY MR. CHIEF JUSTICE JONES, July 16, 1974:

The proceedings which give rise to this appeal began on June 19, 1972, when the Service Employees International[*458] Union, Local 585 (SEIU), filed with the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board (the Board) a petition for representation of public employees, at No. PERAR-2209-W, alleging that it was the appropriate unit for the purpose of collective bargaining for "all court-related employees of Washington County."[1] The petition further alleged that the public employer was the County of Washington acting through its County Commissioners and that a copy of the petition was sent to that public employer pursuant to the Public Employe Relations Act, P.L. 563, No. 195, art. VI, § 603, 43 P.S. § 1101.603 (Act 195). Appellants, the judges of the Court of Common Pleas of the Twenty-Seventh Judicial District claim to be the public employer of certain members[*459] of this group, but they were not sent a copy of the petition.

A pre-election conference was held on August 15, 1972, and a hearing was held on September 14, 1972, at both of which appellants were not represented. When appellants did become aware of the proceedings, they immediately filed a petition to intervene.[2] This petition was denied by the Board as untimely, but it was docketed, giving appellants the opportunity to pose the issues raised in the petition by way of exceptions to the nisi order when filed.

Pursuant to the Board's order of December 1, 1972, an election for the court-related unit was held on December 14, 1972, at which SEIU was chosen to represent the employes. The Board issued a nisi order of certification on January 8, 1973, in which it incorporated the conclusion that Washington County through its County Commissioners was the employer of the court-related employes. Both appellants and the County Controller filed exceptions to this order. Briefs were filed and oral argument was heard. Thereafter, on August 8, 1973, the Board issued its final order dismissing the exceptions and affirming the nisi order of certification.

Appellants filed a petition for review with the Court of Common Pleas of Washington County pursuant to Section 1502 of Act 195, 43 P.S. § 1101.1502. Since the petitioners were the judges of that court and thus disqualified from hearing the case, this Court, on September 4, 1973, granted appellants' petition that we assume plenary jurisdiction, and the matter was transferred to the Commonwealth Court for disposition. The[*460] issues raised before the Commonwealth Court and those now presented to this Court are (1) whether appellants are the employer of the judges' personal staff and the administrative and probation personnel of the Court of Common Pleas; and (2) if the answer to the first question is in the negative, whether Act 195 is unconstitutional as applied to judicial employes.[3] The Commonwealth Court answered both questions in the negative and affirmed the Board in a four-three opinion. Sweet v. Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board, 12 Pa. Commonwealth Ct. 358, 316 A.2d 665 (1974) (MENCER, J., filed a dissenting opinion, in which CRUMLISH and KRAMER, JJ., joined). We now reverse.

Act 195 effectuated the avowed policy of promoting orderly and constructive relationships between public employers and their employes by "(1) granting to public employes the right to organize and choose freely their representatives; (2) requiring public employers to negotiate and bargain with employe organizations representing public employes and to enter into written agreements evidencing the result of such bargaining; and (3) establishing procedures to provide for the protection of the rights of the public employe, the public employer and the public at large." 43 P.S. § 1101.101. The sine qua non to the applicability of Act 195 is that the employer be a "public employer." Section 301(1) of the Act defines "public employer" as follows: "Public employer means the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, its political subdivisions including school districts,[*461] and any officer, board, commission, agency, authority, or other instrumentality thereof and any nonprofit organization or institution and any charitable, religious, scientific, literary, recreational, health, educational or welfare institution receiving grants or appropriations from local, State or Federal governments but shall not include employers covered or presently subject to coverage under the act of June 1, 1937 (P.L. 1168), as amended, known as the `Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act,' the act of July 5, 1935, Public Law 198, 74th Congress, as amended, known as the `National Labor Relations Act.'" 43 P.S. § 1101.301(1). The determination of who is the employer or employers of a group of employes is not governed by Act 195, however, even though the Act may have raised certain considerations in this regard which were not envisioned prior to its passage.[4]

This Court has not heretofore been called upon to determine who is the particular employer of a given employe in relationship to Act 195, the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act, P.L. 1168, No. 294, § 1 et seq., as amended, 43 P.S. § 211.1 et seq., or the Labor Anti-Injunction Act, P.L. 1198, § 1 et seq., as amended, 43 P.S. § 206a et seq. Each of these acts has defined "employer" only for purposes of the respective acts. Our decisions under the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Act and the Labor Anti-Injunction Act have dealt with the issue of whether the employer in question came within the scope of the pertinent act. E.g., Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board v. Overbrook Golf Club, 385 Pa.[*462] 358, 123 A.2d 698 (1956); Locust Club v. Hotel and Club Employees' Union, 397 Pa. 357, 155 A.2d 27 (1959). The more fundamental question of whether an employer-employe relationship exists is one of first impression with this Court in the context of labor relations. The tests developed in other areas of the law for ascertaining the existence of an employer-employe relationship, however, are equally probative of the issue as presented in the instant case.

The relation of employer and employe exists when a party has the right to select the employe, the power to discharge him, and the right to direct both the work to be done and the manner in which such work shall be done. McColligan v. Pennsylvania Railroad Co., 214 Pa. 229, 63 A. 792 (1906). See, also Smalich v. Westfall, 440 Pa. 409, 269 A.2d 476 (1970); Ragano v. Socony Vacuum Oil Co., 376 Pa. 271, 101 A.2d 686 (1954). The duty to pay an employe's salary is often coincident with the status of employer, but not solely determinative of that status. Rodgers v. Washington County Institution District, 349 Pa. 357, 37 A.2d 610 (1944). Our review of the present record convinces us that appellants are at least an employer of some of the employes included in the bargaining unit comprised of court-related employes.

The courts of this Commonwealth under our Constitution have certain inherent rights and powers to do all such things as are reasonably necessary for the administration of justice. Leahey v. Farrell, 362 Pa. 52, 66 A.2d 577 (1949); Commonwealth v. Brownmiller, 141 Pa. Superior Ct. 107, 14 A.2d 907 (1940). As recognized by Judge MAXEY, later Chief Justice of this Court, in In re Surcharge of County Commissioners, 12 Pa. D. & C. 471 (Lack. C.P. 1928): "The power to appoint necessary attendants upon the court is inherent in the court in order to enable it to perform properly the duties delegated to it by the constitution, and it[*463] cannot be doubted that judicial power includes the authority to select persons whose services may be required in judicial proceedings or who may be required to act as the assistants of the judges in the performance of their judicial functions." Id. at 477, quoting from 7 Ruling Case Law, "Courts," § 12, p. 985. Appellants were not permitted to intervene or offer testimony at the hearing before the Board, and on the present record we are unprepared to, nor need we, make a definitive statement on appellants' status as employer with regard to each of the classes of persons represented by the bargaining unit.[5] The bargaining unit, as submitted in the petition of the SEIU, is not an appropriate unit in any event since it is neither an "employer unit" nor a subdivision thereof as required by Section 604 of Act 195, 43 P.S. § 1101.604, because there is no single employer of all the included employes.[6]

Accordingly, for the reasons set forth in this opinion the order of the Commonwealth Court affirming the Board's final order of certification is reversed.

Mr. Justice MANDERINO concurs in the result.

[*464] CONCURRING OPINION BY MR. JUSTICE ROBERTS:

I agree that the orders of the Commonwealth Court and the Pennsylvania Labor Relations Board should be reversed. In my view, Act 195 does not include within its scope those persons appointed, directed, or under the supervision of the judges of the various courts of this Commonwealth. If it did, that Act would impermissibly intrude upon the functioning of our independent Judiciary. I am unwilling to attribute such an unconstitutional purpose to Act 195.

Mr. Justice NIX joins in this concurring opinion.

1 Included in the class of court-related employes as found by the Board were those in the departments "directly involved with and necessary to the operation of the court," including Register of Wills, Sheriff, Prothonotary, Clerk of Courts, Domestic Relations, District Attorney, Orphans' Court, Common Pleas Court, Probation, Office of the Justices of the Peace, and Public Defender. In addition, the record indicates that the law library was an additional department to be included.

A petition for representation of non-court-related employes was filed on June 13, 1972, and docketed at No. PERA-R-2194-W. The reason that two units were proposed was due to the interdiction of Section 604(3) of the Public Employe Relations Act, 43 P.S. § 1101.604(3). The employes included within this group were those employes in the Office of the Commissioners, Maintenance, Assessment, Sealer of Weights and Measures, Treasurer, Tax Claim Bureau, County Controller, Recorder of Deeds, Data Processing, Photo Recording, Coroner, County Communications, Civil Defense, Military Affairs, Parks, and Bridge Crew. This appeal does not concern itself with the certification of SEIU as the exclusive representative of this group of employes, however, and consequently we need not address the difficult question of who is the employer or employers of these persons. But see Anderson v. Stein, No. 40 August Term, 1973 (York C.P., filed February 28, 1974), wherein the Court of Common Pleas of York County determined that the Register of Wills, and not the County Commissioners, was the employer of persons working in the office of Register of Wills.

2 A petition to intervene was also filed by the Washington County Controller, who, as a member of the Salary Board, contended that the court-related employes were the employes of the court or judges and not the County Commissioners, and that the number and compensation of such employes was within the jurisdiction of the Salary Board and not the Commissioners.
3 The judges of the Court of Common Pleas of Cambria County have raised in an amicus curiae brief the argument that Act 195 is unconstitutional as an unwarranted interference with the courts regardless of whether the courts or the County Commissioners are found to be the public employer. That issue, however, is not presented to the Court by this appeal and we advert to neither the merits or demerits of such an argument at this time but reserve that decision for the appropriate day.
4 In its Final Order, the Board properly recognized that Act 195 did not change employer-employe relationships which existed prior to its passage. Inexplicably, however, the Board claimed that the interpretation put forth by appellants would in effect create an employer status in the judiciary where no such employer-employe relationship exists prior to Act 195. To the contrary, we are of the opinion that the findings of the Board and the majority of the Commonwealth Court create such a result.
5 We do note, however, that the legislature has expressly recognized the employer status of the judges of the Courts of Common Pleas and the court itself in regard to certain court-related employes. For example, the Act of May 1, 1907, P.L. 135, § 1, 17 P.S. § 1801, empowers judges to select and appoint stenographers. The Act of April 14, 1834, P.L. 333, § 7, as amended, 17 P.S. § 1861, empowers the judges to appoint criers, tipstaves, and constables. The Act of May 10, 1909, P.L. 495, § 3, 19 P.S. § 1083, authorizes the court to appoint probation officers. The Act of July 13, 1953, P.L. 431, § 4, 62 P.S. § 2043.34, authorizes the court to appoint domestic relations officers and assistants. The Act of August 9, 1955, P.L. 323, § 1965, 16 P.S. § 1965, authorizes the president judge to appoint a librarian. The Act of April 17, 1913, P.L. 79, § 1, 17 P.S. § 1876, authorizes the judges of the Courts of Common Pleas of counties having a population of one million two hundred thousand and over to appoint janitors.
6 This resolution of the first issue renders moot the second argument raised by appellants.