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Cabaniss Quits FLRA: Remaining Member Gets Big Bucks to Do Little or Nothing

what is the problem?

hr spec
Dod Agency
Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:24 AM

Post Reply

Some people seem to want to blame the Republicans for the problem. It seems to me the problem is with the Democratic Congress that may not care too much about their union contributors as they are not taking any action on nominees to the FLRA, the courts or other agencies. Letting the government sit without being able to do anything is apparently preferable to them then taking action on nominees--presumably so that they can appoint Democrats on the assumption that Obama may win in November.

It's all about politics. As far as Congress is concerned, the country can go to hell.

One other item: Good news item. Bob's piece is the first time I have seen this mentioned and gave Fedsmith a "scoop" before anyone else picked up on it. Obviously the union ranters will not like the article--but they read it here first! Thanks, Bob

Re: what is the problem?

Contracting Officer
USAF
Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:49 AM
Newsflash to the hr spec at DOD - this President & the members of his regime took the country to Hell long before Dems assumed a slim majority & I'd argue the elephants are the obstructionists...

Re: what is the problem?

hr spec
Dod Agency
Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:57 PM
I am not sure what you are referring to but, aside from the partisan rant, the Democrats are a majority in both chambers, set the agenda, and are the ones holding up the consideration of the President's nominees--not just for the FLRA but for a slew of federal positions, including judges.

Re: what is the problem?

HR
DoD
Fri Jul 18, 2008 6:06 AM
No, IRS, we don't have thick skulls, just thick skin since we have to put with comments like yours all the time. HR, unfortunately, is the target of such comments simply because we provide advice and people like you don't like to hear it. We are the punching bag for all the perceived ills of civil service. We know that, and we deal with it. We just smile and think about how the world would be a much better place without employees like you.

Why is this News?

Worker
DoD
Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:36 PM

Post Reply

Please, someone tell me why this is news? Nominees for numerous positions have languished for years waiting on Congress to act on the confirmation process. What a joke. It isn't even a matter of Republican or Democrat being responsible. The fact is they all stink and have failed the American public repeatedly for years.

Re: Why is this News?

Agent
IRS
Mon Jul 21, 2008 2:32 PM
The world a better place without me? What, so you could run rough shod over employee rights. Since we win almost all our grievances, I can infur that many interpretations by HR have been in error, just an obsrvation albeit an accurate one on my part. My comments stand as originally stated.

Ouch.

ER/LR Specialist
VA
Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:11 PM

Post Reply

In a practical sense, this means that ULP rulings are going to be on hold for at least the next year, if not more. The Board can't issue any decisions without at least two members empaneled, and given the speed at which Congress moves, it's going to take a while to seat a new member. Figure that the inauguration takes place in January, and it will probably be six months at least before the new President nominates a replacement for Ms. Cabaniss, then a lengthy confirmation process in Congress... it could be conceivably be mid-2010 before the FLRA is able to start making substantive rulings again.

This could all be moot if President Bush nominated a new director and Congress confirmed the nomination before November... but I think we know how much chance there is of that happening.

Re: Ouch.

hr spec
Dod Agency
Wed Jul 16, 2008 1:15 PM
the nominations have been made--which was my point above. They are just sitting in Congress and no action has been taken on them. Moreover, no action is likely to be taken this year as the Democrats in Congress are hoping to have an Obama win in November and have him send in nominations in 2009.

Re: Ouch.

LR Person
All of the Above
Wed Jul 16, 2008 2:56 PM
DOD HR Specialist:

What Authority Member nominations are pending before Congress?

Re: Ouch.

Agent
IRS
Thu Jul 17, 2008 9:01 AM
HR Sec, who is the one ranting and raving about partisan politics? You sir or madaam point at everyone else but you forget there are 3 fingers coming back at you. Will someone please tell me why HR and LR people have such thick skulls. I've dealt with many in the past and it absolutely shocks me at how little common sense they possess as a group of people.

Correcting Misconceptions

Attorney
Former FLRA
Wed Jul 16, 2008 4:37 PM

Post Reply

For those who don't know how the FLRA operates (including, apparently, Bob), staff attorneys write memos to the Members to recommend how they should resolve cases. Even though the Authority will not be able to actually issue decisions with only one Member, Member Pope will still have plenty of memos to read, and votes to cast, in preparation for when a second Member comes on. Granted, that means little to the parties out there who are awaiting decisions, but it certainly doesn't mean that Member Pope will be twiddling her thumbs. And as for whether Member Pope will be "studying hard" in the hopes that she will be able to convince a new President that she should stay on, anyone who knows anything about Member Pope's lengthy and accomplished career with the Authority should know that she's already studied pretty hard. A new Administration would be lucky to have her, and she shouldn't receive any blame (even implicit) for the fact that she's the only Member left.

Resignations

Former State council chair for ACT Michigan
ANG
Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:54 AM

Post Reply

A few more resignations and a couple of force full departure with out retirments and this agency mite start to do thieer job as intended.

FLRA Coasting--So What?

ER Spec pretending to be an accountant
DoD
Thu Jul 17, 2008 10:20 AM

Post Reply

Greeting-

The FLRA has had nearly 30 years to establish case law governing labor-management relations in the Federal sector. Seems to me that is long enough. It ain't that complicated much less important for that matter. It's far less complicated and far less important than what the NLRB has to deal with.

So what if a few negotiability appeals don't get decided for a few years. What's the harm? Maybe unions and agency heads will figggger out what is and is not negotiable on their own given the 30 years worth of cases, court decisons and decisions of the Supremes to review.

So what if a bulletin board posting saying: "We bad" won't be made until 2010 or even later.

Which is it?

everyman
dod
Thu Jul 17, 2008 12:36 PM

Post Reply

Bob according to you the following is the only action taken by congress on Dale Cabaniss' nomination.

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.

So what did she resign from?? How did she become chairman?

Total Comments: 31
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