First Thursday

A monthly podcast from LRIS that provides in-depth coverage of trends in public sector labor relations.

First Thursday is a government podcast hosted by Richard Poulson, LRIS, with 184 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Richard Poulson, LRIS hosts First Thursday, a government show with 184 episodes published.

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  Episode #6

  First Thursday

  Jun 4, 20261h 1mS14

  <p >Rick Poulson covers a potpourri of cases from across the country, including two involving police take-home vehicles. </p> <h2 >Cases:</h2> <p >New Mexico Labor Relations Board Finds Police Take-Home Vehicles Policy A Mandatory Subject Of Bargaining, Village of Hatch Police Officers Ass’n v. Village of Hatch, PELRB No. 128-25, 2026 WL 1031973 (N.M. Pub. Emp. Lab. Rels. Bd. Mar. 19, 2026). (00:06:07)</p> <p >New Jersey PERC Nixes Union’s Challenge To Revocation Of Take-Home Car Policy, City of Pleasantville,52 NJ PERC 56 (PERC Hearing Examiner Jan. 5, 2026). (00:30:36)</p> <p >Sheriff’s “Instant Survey” On Schedule Change Not Direct Dealing, In the Matter of Deputy...

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  First Thursday

  First Thursday, May 2026

  May 7, 202646 minS0

  <p >The rise of gambling apps has created an multitude of issues, and the public safety labor environment has not been immune from its effects. In this episode of First Thursday, Rick Poulson explores this rapidly growing issue and its implications for public safety agencies. Sparked by both personal observations and a high-profile case involving alleged embezzlement tied to gambling addiction, the discussion examines how technology has transformed gambling behavior—and why agencies must take notice. Rick breaks down the legal landscape, including the limitations of federal protections under the ADA, evolving state laws, and practical strategies for unions and ma...

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  First Thursday

  First Thursday, April 2026

  Mar 5, 202656 minS0

  <p >Upcoming seminars from LRIS (00:01:12)</p> <h2 >The Cases</h2> <p >Court Rejects Late First Amendment Challenge to “Talk My S**t” Termination, Shelton v Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority (6th Cir. 2026)<br>(00:02:40)</p> <p >No ULP When Citgy Refused To Make Firefighters Whole For W-2 Errors, Rochester Fire Fighters Ass’n v. City of Rochester, 58 PERB ¶ 4569 (2025)<br>(00:13:16)</p> <p >New Jersey Labor Board Dismisses Most Of Officer’s Claims Over Social Media Posts And Interview Rights, State of New Jersey (Department of Corrections), 52 NJPER ¶ 38 (NJ PERC 2025)<br>(00:24:38)</p> <p >Giglio List Placement Sinks Officer’s EEO Claim, Cox v SEPTA, No. 25-1100...

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  First Thursday

  First Thursday, March 2026

  Mar 5, 202657 minS0

  <p >The U.S. Supreme Court recently heard oral arguments in the case United States v. Hemani. The case deals with whether federal criminal statute 18 U.S.C. § 922(g)(3), which makes it a felony for an “unlawful user” of a controlled substance to possess a firearm, is constitutional when it is used to prosecute a person who is a marijuana user and who keeps a gun safely secured at home for self-defense. The case will have important ramifications for law enforcement officers as marijuana use is becoming more accepted both recreationally and medicinally.</p> <p >The latest from LRIS (0:04:25)</p> <p >Th...

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  First Thursday

  First Thursday, February 2026

  Feb 5, 202645 minS0

  <p >Employers often try to win disputes by focusing on technical definitions or procedural arguments. They will apply a narrow definition to an employee’s workplace right and reframe the dispute so the protection seems not to apply.</p> <p >All four cases covered in this month’s podcast are examples of this tactic. See how courts decided.</p> <h3 >The Cases</h3> <p >No Weingarten Rights For Arbitration Witness, But Interview Nonetheless Coercive,  Fraternal Order of Police, Fort Pitt Lodge No. 1 v. City of Pittsburgh, 57 PPER ¶ 32 (Proposed Decision and Order, 2025). (00:04:36)</p> <p >New Hampshire Supreme Court Rules In Favor Of Cor...

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