Author Archives: AdminUN
THE SETTLEMENT MOTIVATION One reason managers fail to settle grievances early is that they are unaware of the risks. Although it would help everyone if agency leaders made them aware of the risk, unions carry some of the blame for … Continue reading
HAIR! Many law enforcement agencies demand that their officer/agents be clear-shaven at all times because they believe, without a scintilla of evidence, that makes them more effective. But a large number of officers/agents believe that intrudes unnecessarily on their personal … Continue reading
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HOW TO VOID CRITICAL ELEMENT RATINGS Way back in the late 70’s agencies could only fire poor performing employees using the adverse actions statutes. Managers complained that made it too hard because they had to prove their allegations by the … Continue reading
THE APPROXIMATE REMEDY Too many arbitration cases have come before the FLRA where the union failed to ask for a tough enough remedy. Often, it appears the union concluded that it would be too tough to prove precisely what would … Continue reading
10 THINGS TO DO AT FORMAL MEETINGS Unions make serious mistakes when they fail to cover every formal meeting in their unit or when they fail to train their stewards in how to tap the full potential value of these … Continue reading
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR OWN GLADYS Almost every bargaining unit has a Gladys. She works as a secretary, clerk, or clerical assistant. Although she has performed acceptably for years, suddenly management puts her on a short PIP, imposes deadlines no … Continue reading
FMLA FOR SAME-SEX FED SPOUSES In July we wrote about the pending change to OPM’s FMLA rules that would allow same-sex spouses employed by the federal government all the benefits of the FMLA. (See FMLA, DOMA and Same-Sex Spouses). OPM … Continue reading
THE “PLAINLY SUPERIOR” PROMOTION GRIEVANCE THEORY Never heard of it? It is the argument to use when grieving non-selection from a list of properly ranked and rated best qualified employees. At least this is one of the ways. Here is … Continue reading
SES MAFIA FAMILIES If the term “mafia” is defined as a culturally-based organized criminal enterprise, then a good argument can be made that there is an active one operating within the Senior Executive Service (SES)–complete with its own territories, families, … Continue reading
WHY AFGE SHOULD LEAVE THE AFL-CIO AFGE has been adding members faster than almost any other union in the country—over 100,000 the last 12 years. Obviously, it knows how to organize and how to convince employees to join. So, we want to take … Continue reading