HOW TO DO QUICK NEGOTIABILITY RESEARCH
OPM has an on-line document that we have found helpful for two reasons. First, it is a good source for ideas about mid-term proposals the union could make. The ideas are sorted by subject, the proposal briefly described, a case citation provided if you want to look into the idea in more detail, and those proposals held negotiable easily marked in a separate column. Second, it is a quick way to see in a general way whether what you are proposing is negotiable. It is not even close to being a reliable source if you are litigating and issue. But for most other situations, it beats slashing your way through Cyberfeds, Lexis or Westlaw. OPM calls it the Negotiability Determination Report. Here is what you are likely to find if you go looking for something . This is a site union leaders should post to the “Favorites” list for easy reference.
| Category | Sub Category | Negotiability Determination | Union | Case Citation | Decision |
| Assignments | Supervisory / Managerial Positions | A proposal concerned the designation of the position to supervise civilian employees on a ship. | Marine Engineers Beneficial Association, District No. 1, PCD | 60 FLRA 828, Proposal 1 | Non-Negotiable |
| Assignments | Assignments Generally | A proposal requiring the agency to redistribute, in a fair and equitable manner, work that arises from the additional duties created by the implementation of the new mail metering system. | AFGE, AFL-CIO, Local 3258 | 48 FLRA 232, Proposal 1 | Negotiable |
