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FLRA Has a Union - On What Authority?

Great Article & Funny!

Retired
AF
Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:46 AM

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Don't you jes love it! How bout the FMCS? I do believe they have a recognized union, even though they are a part of the FLRA????

Re: Great Article & Funny!

LR Specialist
DoD
Thu Apr 12, 2007 9:29 AM
The FMCS is a separate agency and not part of the FLRA

Re: Great Article & Funny!

Retired
AF
Sat Apr 14, 2007 4:35 AM
Sorry! I ment the FSIP, being a part of the FLRA.

See: Sec. 7119. Negotiation impasses; Federal Service Impasses Panel
(c)(1) The Federal Service Impasses Panel is an entity within the Authority, the function of which is...

So Much Fuss!!!

Fed Worker & Union Officer
DOD
Wed Apr 11, 2007 9:58 AM

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One basic point is being missed repeatedly. The workers, then & now, saw the need to be unionized. God bless them!!

FLRA's union

HR specialist
retired
Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:19 AM

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I'm a little embarrassed - I had no idea Authority employees are unionized. Every agency I ever worked for (there were 5) always felt the FLRA was biased against management. Now I know why that might have been the case!

Re: FLRA's union

Union President
DoD
Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:41 AM
And here I thought that FLRA was an agency increasingly bending to the will of the current administration to save their own necks. That they were the same type of political agency that is GAO. What with the administration trying to eliminate most of their work by creating in-house appeals systems in two of the largest agencies, DHS and DOD, I would say the bias flows political. That would certainly explain many of their decisions these past six years where the appeals courts have questioned the legality of many of their decisions.

Along the Same Lines

HR Specialist
DoD
Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:51 AM

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It had always been my understanding that personnelists performing substantive work were excluded from joining a union. I was very surprised to find that OPM's Human Resources Specialists have a union. In asking about it, I was told, that since they don't directly deal with manager's in formulating or conducting labor relations they could form a union. I guess it must be okay, as I would think the FLRA had to certify their unit.

If that rationale is correct then, DoD may have to rethink its position on implementation of NSPS since it has specifically tried to avoid those who are in and could have bargaining units.

Re: Along the Same Lines

Another Federal Employee
DHS
Wed Apr 11, 2007 5:30 PM
Here is the basic conundrum. An agency faced with a unionization effort must remain completely neutral throughout the process as the FLRA certifies both the bargaining unit and the subsequent election. It is the FLRA's unique role in the Federal government to provide these type of certifications. How does the FLRA, as the subject agency, both remain neutral in the process and provide the objective certification required to establish the union within their own agency? It is a conflict of interest on its face.

Missed Points

Attorney
Federal Agency
Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:20 AM

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How can a unionized employee be unbiased? The NLRB guy answered that one, but if you need more convincing, consider the length of time the FLRA has had a union in view of its years and years of precedent. It's the Members of the FLRA, not the employees (whether unionized or not) that make the difference. In any event, the FLRA is not covered by the statute that applies to federal labor-relations programs under that statute. Obviously, the FLRA's labor-relations program was not established under the statute. Finally, it seems to me that the FLRA is not covered by the statute because it cannot enforce the statute against itself, and not because it cannot enforce the statute neutrally to others, which explains why the NLRB can have a union under the statute (that is enforced by the FLRA), but the FLRA cannot.

response to Mr. Gibson

Federal Employee
Dept of ???
Wed Apr 11, 2007 11:47 AM

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Mr. Gibson...don't you work for a company that was hired by the FLRA to audit its employees? Sometimes full-disclosure is in order.

Also...every department in the government can have professional associations. The FBI has one, the US Attorneys have one, the SES employees have one. That is essentially what the FLRA Union (The UAE) is. They have no binding arbitration or avenue of redress like other unions do. It is a way for employees to collectively deal with workplace issues and raise concerns.

Also, you should probably do some research before you allege the fleecing of the federal taxpayer. Where is the lavish union office that you speak of? How often have there ever been any negotiations? I used to work at the FLRA and I can tell you that the Union spends little if any money every year. It essentially is a professional association. The average office spends more money on official time for its holiday party every year then the UAE costs the FLRA.

Re: response to Mr. Gibson

author
none
Thu Apr 12, 2007 11:20 AM
In response to the question "don't you work for a company that was hired by the FLRA to audit its employees?", the answer is that I have a non-management position as a part-time consultant and trainer for a company that has done some contract work for the FLRA. I have not been associated with that work or contract.

What's your agenda?

Re: response to Mr. Gibson

Federal Employee
???
Wed Apr 25, 2007 11:08 AM
My only agenda is full disclosure. I have no problem with you expressing your viewpoint, just be up front about all the details.

Excluded Employees

Equipment Specialist
DOD
Wed Apr 11, 2007 12:11 PM

Post Reply

These employees can form a union unto themselves.

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