Author Archives: AdminUN

About AdminUN

FEDSMILL staff has over 40 years of federal sector labor relations experience on the union as well as management side of the table and even some time as a neutral.

FOR THE FMLA SPECIALISTS The American Bar Association just issued its newest report on recent developments in FMLA case law. It is entitled, “2013 ABA FMLA Report.” If you are the union rep that handles all the FMLA matters for … Continue reading

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TRADING INFORMATION FOR MEMBERSHIP We have noticed a couple of local union newsletters that are worth bringing to your attention. Why?  Because the single most valuable thing a union can offer all its unit employees is information about what is … Continue reading

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AMERICA’S BEST INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITY What would you do if you had an investment opportunity that paid you $7.00 for every $1.00 you invested?  If you need a hint, look at what Congress is doing–and then do the opposite.  The NY … Continue reading

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AGENCY DEMEANS EMPLOYEES’ PERFORMANCE What would you call it when an agency decides to fund the non-supervisory employee awards budget at only 56% of what is needed, while deciding to fund the management awards account at 100% of what was needed?  We call … Continue reading

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HOW TO RESTRICT AGENCY DISCRETION IN BARGAINING One of the best things unions can do for employees is to restrict management discretion over personnel decisions. Ironically, it also is one of the best things unions can do for agencies.

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QUICK QUIZ–PROBATIONERS What do you do if a probationary employee contracts you to announce that management has just told her that if she does not resign in 72 hours it will terminate her during her probationary period?  When you ask her … Continue reading

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RETIRE OR BE REMOVED! MAKE YOUR DECISION NOW. More than a few employees have faced that choice. Some managers have even issued the proposed removal letter, heard the reply, and shown the employee the signed decision letter to force them … Continue reading

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DOL ISSUES FMLA GUIDANCE ON CARING FOR ADULT CHILDREN FMLA is available to care for adult children over 18 or older if the child is physically or mentally disabled.  The Dept. of Labor has just issued guidance on how that … Continue reading

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ATTENTION PROBATIONERS! A while ago we outlined 16 different ways a probationary employee can challenge his/her termination even though the urban legend is that probationers have no rights and there is nothing a union can do for them.  Check out … Continue reading

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FUBAR: FSIP’S UNICORN The Federal Service Impasses Panel (FSIP) has a unicorn that it treasures.  While the members prefer to call it their “demonstrated need criterion,” that label is merely to obscure outsiders from seeing clearly that there is nothing … Continue reading

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