The author discusses the recent House hearings on official time. He suggests that none of the parties to the hearing addressed a number of critical issues surrounding this topic. It appeared that everyone in attendance got to try for political points by no one addressed what is really at the root of the problem. He suggests that the truth is out there and can be easily found if you know where to look.
The author examines the failure of the 1978 civil service reform statute in labor relations and human resources generally and suggests a plan to encourage responsive Agency management, integrity and a restoration of merit to the civil service system while continuing to permit employees to be represented on working conditions.
The Author cites the results of the inconclusive union election at the Transportation Security Administration and asks whether the results may have some meanings not discussed in other forums or in news reports.
It was recently announced that Jeffrey Zients, Deputy OMB Director was going to reorganize all of the Trade Agencies in three months. There is a Federal employee website to solicit input but no such vehicle for retirees or other stakeholders to provide their insights. So Fedsmith and the author have teamed up on a survey to see what its readers might think of some longer term suggestions. The author explains his choices for how to proceed.
The author offers an analysis of AFGE proposals made relatively recently in a national contract negotiation. The Analysis points out issues Agencies should consider when negotiating such language. This is timely in light of FLRA decisions suggesting that agencies should extend extra effort in protecting their prerogatives by its expansion of arbitrator authority.
Executive Orders about Federal employees rarely get much media coverage. In his first year, the president issued an executive order that broadened the involvement of Federal employee unions in agencies. While the events in Wisconsin point out concerns about public employee union power, the Administration has required Agencies to involve Federal employee unions in virtually all government decisions.
The Author takes a look at TSA Administrator Pistoles “Determination” regarding unions at the Agency. The author believes it is an interesting document as its stated terms appear critical of the labor law that affects other Federal employees as well as the FLRA that administers that law. The administrator may be heading for a protracted battle if the election results are reasonably close as well as after the election results are certified.
The author discusses the potential harm a recent FLRA decision will do to collective bargaining.
The current leadership of MSPB appears not so committed to their oath of office as to advancing a particular political agenda, a union bias or a specific value system. I think a person writing me as well as many other Federal employees have misunderstood the very nature of ethics.
The author asks if the TSA broke management’s obligation to remain neutral while a union vote is pending.
