Monthly Archives: May 2020

TRUMP’S EXECUTIVE ORDERS HOG TIE AGENCY GROUND RULE NEGOTIATORS Traditionally, there are four things agencies want from unions when bargaining ground rules for reopening a term agreement. This is particularly true during times when the FSIP is heavily biased against … Continue reading

Posted in Bargaining Law, Bargaining Tactics | Tagged | Leave a comment

ACCOMMODATING COVID-19 AT-RISK EMPLOYEES (EEOC GUIDANCE) We like to let our subscribers know when something pops up on the web that should be useful to them.  This piece, posted by the folks at California Dental Association, offers some practical advice … Continue reading

Posted in Reasonable Accommodations | Tagged | Leave a comment

ARBITRATOR PRITZKER, YOU ARE DEAD WRONG    Malcolm Pritzker, an experienced DC arbitrator, recently ruled that an agency (SSA) violated the law by withholding information from the union (AALJ) during bargaining.  The agency withheld the information, sped the dispute to the FSIP, and got one of the Panel’s politically-patented anti-union decisions imposing working … Continue reading

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UNION REP TEST #6 (FMLA) The COVID crisis is going to create a lot of traffic for union stewards from employees with an entire range of FMLA questions.  The web and other fed employee news sites currently are loaded with … Continue reading

Posted in Union Rep Test | Tagged | 1 Comment

WELL ISN’T THIS AN INTERESTING UNION COVID RESPONSE Some enterprising legal eagles in New York City just filed a class action lawsuit claiming that an employer must provide reasonable accommodations to employees at risk of catching COVID-19 at the job site.  Their … Continue reading

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UNION REP TEST #5 (Negotiations –An Agency’s Specific Notice Obligation) We have said it often before.  The biggest process mistake management can make while bargaining is to violate this obligation, and aggressive enforcement of this obligation by the union increases … Continue reading

Posted in Bargaining Law, Union Rep Test | Tagged | 1 Comment

UNION REP TEST #4 (EEO- Medical Information Privacy) The rehabilitation Act prohibits managers from disclosing physical or mental medical information they have about an employee to anyone without a legitimate reason to know.  Nonetheless, managers repeatedly ignore the rule and … Continue reading

Posted in Medical Issues, Privacy, Union Rep Test | Tagged | Leave a comment

FLRA’S JAMES ABBOTT COMES OUT AS HYPOCRITE EXTRAORDINAIRE A few days ago Jim Abbott, one of the President’s more dishonorable appointees, threw the doors open for all the world to see the hypocrite he is. Although he agreed with his … Continue reading

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UNION REP TEST #3 (LR – COVID CHANGES)  Read over the facts below and identify what, if anything, the union can do to help. The answer is provided below the facts. FACTS: Assume that an employee’s administrative workweek starts in the wee … Continue reading

Posted in Test Yourself, Union Rep Test | Tagged | 1 Comment

BARGAINING TELEWORK AND THE MANSON FAMILY TWINS Expecting FLRA’s Abbott and Kiko to think even one baby step beyond their hatred of unions is like assuming Charley Manson will take good care of your pregnant wife while you are out … Continue reading

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