The City has a policy that prohibits strikes by public employees. Over the past 2 years, the City budget has been cut, and jobs were eliminated. The Public Works Department lost 20 positions-10% of what it originally had. Because of the age of the City's infrastructure, the workload has increased. Employee morale dropped to the point that employees lost their sense of commitment.

For the last 2 weeks, about 20% of the Public Works Department employees were calling in sick each day. Management believes that the union is staging a job action or sick out which it considers an illegal strike. The City filed an unfair labor practice complaint. You are the hearing officer hearing the complaint.

1. What information do you need?

2. What do you lean toward recommending?

3. What is the reasoning behind your recommendation?