Management

Union Criticizes Civil Service Carveouts in Science Bills

Two bills aimed at revitalizing the National Science Foundation include major exceptions to federal hiring rules that AFGE officials say are reminiscent of former President Trump’s controversial and aborted Schedule F initiative.

Management

The Pandemic Has Created an Opening to Improve Federal Labor-Management Relations

The broad success of telework offers an opportunity for unions and executives to come together to support a new work environment that benefits employees and management.

Management

Unions Drop Challenge to FLRA Rule Making it Easier for Feds to Stop Paying Dues

NTEU said it is exploring “other avenues” to reverse a controversial Trump-era decision to allow federal workers to cancel their union dues any time after one year, rather than at annual intervals.

Management

EPA Begins Rolling Back Trump-era Union Policies

The Environmental Protection Agency and the American Federation of Government Employees will revert in part to their previous 2007 contract, and the parties will begin negotiations on an entirely new contract later this year.

Management

Smithsonian Employee Union Raises Concerns About Safety During Reopenings

The Smithsonian doesn’t have a date yet for when its locations will open to the public, but officials said they’ll have procedures in place to protect staff as well as visitors.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: The Future of Federal Workforce Priorities and Protections

GovExec's Erich Wagner speaks to NTEU's Tony Reardon on the podcast about the federal employees and the future.

Management

OPM Appointments Mark a Radical Shift in Agency's Role

The hiring of high-level executives from organized labor marks a return to federal employee unions having a seat at the table in the formulation of federal personnel policy.

Management

VA Rolls Back Trump-era Workforce Policies

The Veterans Affairs Department is restoring its previous contract with AFGE, which allows access to official time and union office space in department facilities.

Management

Biden Names Acting FLRA General Counsel, Ending Critical Trump Era Vacancy

The agency responsible for administering federal labor law has been without a top lawyer for four years, significantly hamstringing its ability to hear labor-management disputes.

Management

Democrats Push to Grant VA Medical Professionals Full Union Rights

Federal law currently prevents Veterans Affairs Department medical workers from bargaining over matters related to patient care and clinical competence, although much is at the discretion of the VA secretary.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: Sick Leave For Feds and the Relief Bill

Erich Wagner joined the podcast to talk about the American Rescue Plan and other workforce stories.

Management

NTEU to Push for Pay, Benefits, and Protections in 2021

National Treasury Employees Union National President Tony Reardon said that he has seen a “mixed bag” in terms of agency efforts to comply with President Biden’s workforce executive order.

Management

Unions Dog SSA Leadership over Perceived Inaction on Workforce Order

More than a week after OPM issued guidance on reopening union contracts negotiated during the Trump administration, Social Security Administration officials are dragging their feet, union officials say.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: How OPM Can Support the Workforce in the Biden Administration

Eric Katz talks to OPM's Rob Shriver about the future of feds as the White House looks to recenter civil servants.

Management

House Democrats Join Chorus Calling for Changes at Social Security

The job security of the Trump-appointed administrator and deputy administrator of the Social Security Administration remains in doubt, as the Biden administration continues to oust holdover appointees elsewhere in the government.

Management

OPM Instructs Agencies to Reopen Trump-era Union Contracts

Departments currently engaged in collective bargaining negotiations are expected to rescind proposals restricting unions’ access to official time, grievance proceedings and to begin bargaining “in good faith.”

Management

Biden Rescinds Memo Granting Defense Secretary Authority to Ban Unions

Last year, then-President Trump granted the Defense secretary authority to strip Pentagon employees of their rights to bargain collectively, although it was never acted upon.

Management

Advocates, Experts Urge More Protections for Feds Following Trump Workforce Initiatives

Union officials and good government experts said Congress needs more guardrails in place to protect the federal civil service, while a former Trump official defended the administration’s actions.

Management

Union Announces 'Boldest Agenda' Yet to Strengthen Federal Employee Rights, Pay and Benefits

The president of the nation’s largest federal employee union forecast a “two-year window” to undo former President Trump’s workforce policies and expand workers’ collective bargaining rights.