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.

Posted on July 11, 2013 by AdminUN

LABOR’S VERY BIG BLUNDER (The AFL-ABA-CIO) Organized labor has been shrinking in numbers and influence for over 60 years. There are a lot of reasons: well-funded enemies, relentless lawlessness by many employers, a toothless labor law, foreign competition for jobs, … Continue reading →

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Posted on July 11, 2013 by AdminUN

BARGAINING WITH JERKS- #2 (Negotiability) What do you do with the Jerk on the other side of the table who needlessly declares union proposals non-negotiable just to screw-up bargaining and prevent problem-solving?  Well, we can think of eight things, and … Continue reading →

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Posted on July 11, 2013 by AdminUN

OUR APOLOGIES TO THE DVA RNS A few weeks ago we posted a piece entitled, “Why VA Nurses Should Study Wall Street.”   It reviewed the advantages for employees working for the same nationwide employer to be represented by one union … Continue reading →

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Posted on July 10, 2013 by AdminUN

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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Posted on July 10, 2013 by AdminUN

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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Posted on July 10, 2013 by AdminUN

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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Posted on July 10, 2013 by AdminUN

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 →

Posted in Awards, Bargaining | Tagged | Leave a comment

Posted on July 9, 2013 by AdminUN

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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Posted on July 8, 2013 by AdminUN

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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Posted on July 8, 2013 by AdminUN

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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