Jefferson County Board Education V‪.‬

3. "While some constitutional protection is extended under the First Amendment to public employees to organize, speak freely and petition, it is clear that a public employer is not required to recognize or bargain with a public employee association or union in the absence of a statutory requirement." Syllabus Point 2, City of Fairmont v. Retail, Wholesale, & Dept Store Union, AFL-CIO, 166 W.Va. 1, 283 S.E.2d 589 (1980).