Management

Administrative Law Judge Association Says Effort to Force Partial Contract Is 'Union Busting'

Officials with the group said efforts to implement part of a new union contract while elements remain under review by the Federal Service Impasses Panel are illegal.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: The Hazard Pay Lawsuit

Erich Wagner and Tom Shoop join the podcast to discuss what public servants need to know about the hazard pay lawsuit filed by five feds and AFGE.

Management

Federal Employee Union Sues Impasses Panel, Calls Its Appointment ‘Unlawful’

AFGE argues that the Trump administration violated the law in appointing anti-labor advocates to the Federal Service Impasses Panel, and that panel members should be subject to Senate confirmation.

Pay & Benefits

Federal Workers, Union Sue for Hazard Pay

A federal class action lawsuit argues that agencies should be required to provide hazardous duty pay to federal employees who have been exposed to the coronavirus.

Management

Immigration Services Agency Seeks to Suspend Bargaining With Union Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Although the agency already is allowed to implement workplace changes because of the national health emergency, officials now want to skip post-implementation bargaining as well.

Pay & Benefits

Federal Workers, Dems Push for Hazard Pay in Next Coronavirus Legislation

House lawmakers and unions want feds to receive extra compensation if their job puts them at risk of exposure to COVID-19, but the provision was not included in the $2 trillion relief package approved by the Senate Wednesday night.

Management

FLRA Sets Sights on Official Time for ‘Lobbying Activities’

Critics say federal labor law specifically allows employee unions to negotiate for official time in connection with presenting the union’s views to Congress.

Management

Lawmakers Introduce Bill to Overturn Trump Collective Bargaining Decisions

A bipartisan measure would nullify President Trump’s three executive orders aimed at reducing the influence of federal employee unions, as well as a memo granting the secretary of Defense the authority to exempt the Pentagon from federal labor law.

Management

Labor Authority Formally Proposes Rule Making It Easier for Feds to Cancel Union Dues

The agency tasked with administering federal sector labor law said it must change how federal workers cancel union dues to comply with a recent Supreme Court decision, but unions accused it of using the case as pretext to hamper labor groups.

Pay & Benefits

Federal Judge Dismisses Shutdown Lawsuit

A federal employee union had argued that forcing federal employees to work without pay during a lapse in appropriations constitutes a violation of the Anti-Deficiency Act, but a judge on Monday ruled that with the government open, the case is now moot.

Management

Social Security Restores Telework to Previous Levels, But Continues to Resist Expansion to Combat Coronavirus

Union filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration on Thursday accusing the agency of forcing employees to work in an unsafe workplace.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: FLRA Wants to Make it Easier For Feds to Cancel Union Dues

Erich Wagner joins the podcast to talk about the future of unions in the federal government in light of the board's proposed change.

Management

Some Agencies Reluctant to Embrace Telework and Take Other Precautions, Despite Growing Coronavirus Concerns

Although some agencies have stepped up to protect their workforces as the novel coronavirus outbreak widens, many federal employees report a resistance to remote work and a lack of basic sanitary measures.

Pay & Benefits

Panel Pushes Measure to Allow VA Docs and Nurses to Negotiate Pay, Scheduling

The Veterans Affairs Department opposes the legislation, saying it would harm delivery of care to veterans.

Workforce

GovExec Daily: How Unions Are Protecting Feds From Everything from Relocation to Coronavirus

Courtney Bublé and Erich Wagner spoke to the podcast about the state of public service unions and their place in the federal ecosystem.

Management

Federal Pork Inspectors Are Sounding the Alarm Over USDA’s Plan to Give Industry More Control

After 20 years of studying the issue through four administrations, USDA is moving forward to give industry a bigger say in food safety operations.

Management

Unions Report No Sign of Telework Flexibilities Amid Coronavirus Outbreak

Although both OPM and the CDC have strongly encouraged allowing employees to work remotely to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, several agencies have yet to respond to those recommendations.

Pay & Benefits

Union Urges OPM Director to Withdraw Proposal to Limit Paid Parental Leave

As part of its fiscal 2020 budget justification, the personnel agency proposed legislation limiting the availability of paid parental leave for foster placements and in instances where both parents are federal workers.

Management

Warren, Sanders Warn Defense Chief Against Using New Collective Bargaining Authority

Democratic senators demand that Esper “commit, in writing,” not to act on his new authority to abolish unionization at the Pentagon.