Monthly Archives: March 2020

VITALLY IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT FSIP’S POWERS  The statute establishing the Panel gives it the power to “take whatever action is necessary” to resolve an impasse. (5 USC 7119) However, often the Panel ignores the fact that there are … Continue reading

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ACCOMMODATING THE DISABLED ALMOST EVERY TIME IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH  Not long ago the Dept. of Defense tried to defend itself against an allegation that it had failed to provide a deaf employee a reasonable accommodation by pointing out that … Continue reading

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ARBITRATING EQUAL PAY ACT DISPUTES–EASY-PEASY What can a Hispanic woman do if she is not getting the same salary as a man performing nearly identical duties? She can file a complaint with the EEOC claiming a violation of the Equal … Continue reading

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TIME TO QUARANTINE CBP MANAGEMENT? We have been watching CBP management for a while and it seems as if it is a diseased culture at the top of this vital agency.  EEOC has pointed out all too often that it … Continue reading

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FSIP, DE FACTO NEGOTIABILITY DISPUTES & ULP’s Agencies are obligated by executive order to refuse to negotiate over certain union proposals. So, what happens if a union makes proposals that directly clash with the provisions of Trump’s executive orders? One … Continue reading

Posted in Bargaining Negotiability, FSIP, Strategy/tactics | Tagged | 3 Comments

EEOC ISSUES NEW GUIDANCE ADDRESSING THE ADA, REHABILITATION ACT AND COVID-19 Union reps need to stay abreast of information like this that will determine whether and how they can help their members.

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ARE YOU “GETTIN’ ENOUGH”— FROM GRIEVANCES? One of the first mistakes a union can make when drafting a grievance is to not ask for enough of a remedy. Not only does the grievant potentially lose something she might have been … Continue reading

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MAKING NEW PROPOSALS AFTER BARGAINING BEGINS There is a little-known court case that authorizes union negotiators to make totally new proposals in the middle of negotiations.

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THE “GET OUT OF FSIP FREE” CARD      FSIP is the center of the known labor relations universe these days.  Agency negotiators are busting vital organs trying to rush negotiation disputes there because they know the fix is in.  Unions, on … Continue reading

Posted in Bargaining Impasse, Bargaining Law, Bargaining Tactics, FSIP | Tagged | 1 Comment

THE REASONABLE ACCOMMODATION SEARCH AREA How far must an agency search in seeking a position to which it can reassign an employee needing a reasonable accommodation?  Here is what EEOC said recently. “We emphasize that a federal agency’s obligation under … Continue reading

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