FLRA Nominations: Who is Responsible for the Lack of a Quorum?

Several readers have commented on the lack of a quorum at the Federal Labor Relations Authority with questions regarding whether nominations have been made for the vacant positions. Here is a listing of actions (or lack thereof) for the FLRA during the 110th Congress.

In Response to FedSmith’s article on the departure of Dale Cabiness from the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), some readers blamed the vacancies on the Bush administration. The author checked with Thomas, a congressional website, to see what was what. Here are the results.

According to Thomas, the official website of the Library of Congress, the following actions occurred during the current (110th ) Congress:

1 . Nomination: PN1545-110
Brandon Chad Bungard, to be General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Labor Relations Authority; vice Colleen Duffy Kiko, resigned.
Received: April 02, 2008
Referred: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Action: April 02, 2008 – Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

2 . Nomination: PN1158-110
Thomas M. Beck, to be Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Labor Relations Authority; vice Wayne Cartwright Beyer, resigned.
Received: December 14, 2007
Referred: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Action: December 14, 2007 – Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

3 . Nomination: PN718-110
Thomas M. Beck, to be Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Labor Relations Authority; vice Dale Cabaniss, term expiring.
Received: June 28, 2007
Referred: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Action: December 14, 2007 – Received message of withdrawal of nomination from the President.

4 . Nomination: PN576-110
Carol Waller Pope, to be Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Labor Relations Authority
Received: May 16, 2007
Referred: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Action: May 16, 2007 – Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

5 . Nomination: PN323-110
Carol Waller Pope, to be Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Labor Relations Authority
Received: March 12, 2007
Referred: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Action: March 12, 2007 – Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

6 . Nomination: PN322-110
Dale Cabaniss, to be Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Labor Relations Authority
Received: March 12, 2007
Referred: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Action: June 28, 2007 – Received message of withdrawal of nomination from the President.

7 . Nomination: PN96-110
Wayne Cartwright Beyer, to be Member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Labor Relations Authority; vice Othoniel Armendariz, to which position he was appointed during the last recess of the Senate.
Received: January 09, 2007
Referred: Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
Latest Action: December 14, 2007 – Received message of withdrawal of nomination from the President.

It appears that the ball is in the court of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. Senator Joe Lieberman is the Chair but interestingly Barack Obama is a member. So I guess we can blame the holdup on filling FLRA jobs on the prospective nominee of the Democratic party. I guess I need to add “JUST KIDDING” unless I want to be identified as a Barack Basher.

By the way none of the above are my opinions. I cut the text directly from Thomas.

About the Author

Bob Gilson is a consultant with a specialty in working with and training Federal agencies to resolve employee problems at all levels. A retired agency labor and employee relations director, Bob has authored or co-authored a number of books dealing with Federal issues and also conducts training seminars.