1. (a) An appropriate bargaining unit shall be characterized by the existence of a community of interest shared by its members.

2. (b) In determining the appropriate bargaining unit, the board shall consider the following as evidence of a community of interest, in addition to the elements set out in RSA 273-A:8, I(a) through (d):

   1. (1) A common geographic location of the proposed unit;

   2. (2) The presence of:

      1. a. Common work rules and personnel practices; and
      2. b. Common salary and fringe benefit structures; and
   3. (3) The self-felt community of interest among employees.

3. (c) In addition to considering the principle of community of interest, the board shall also consider:

   1. (1) The effect of forming any particular bargaining unit on the efficiency of government operations as contemplated in RSA 273-A:1, XI; and
   2. (2) The potential for employees within the proposed bargaining unit experiencing a division of loyalties between the public employer and the employees' exclusive representative.

Source. #2325, eff 3-28-83; ss by #3019, eff 5-14-85; EXPIRED: 5-14-91 New. #5679, eff 8-4-93, EXPIRED: 8-4-99 New. #7093, INTERIM, eff 9-9-99, EXPIRES: 1-7-00; ss by #7187, eff 1-8-00, EXPIRED: 1-8-08 New. #9081-B, eff 1-29-08; ss by #11176, eff 9-16-16