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.

USING THE BIBLE AS A HARASSMENT TOOL EEOC just explained to the Dep’t. of Veteran Affairs how quoting the bible at the workplace can violate an employee’s civil rights. It wrote, “the use of a Bible verse, alone, in the … Continue reading

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FOR THOSE NON-BELIEVING NON-MEMBERS A percentage of your co-workers who refuse to join the union do so because they believe that managers would never be deliberately unfair to them, and even if they were, the “civil service system” would stop … Continue reading

Posted in EEO/Discrimination, Membership Building | Tagged | Leave a comment

WHEN SUPERVISORS VENT, THEY MAY HAVE TO PAY There are lots of situations inside and outside government where some manager is “miffed” that s/he must respect an employee’s rights under the law and they might walk away muttering to themselves—maybe … Continue reading

Posted in EEO/Discrimination, Official Time | Tagged | Leave a comment

WHAT IS THE ASSOCIATION FOR UNION DEMOCRACY (AUD)? It may be your best friend if your union is trying to punish you for exercising your rights under the federal Bill of Rights (29 CFR 458.2) most union members enjoy. Those … Continue reading

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RESPECT THE PRONOUNS–OR ELSE Yes, Americans are still getting used to using the proper pronoun in gender identity and transgender situations.   But EEOC has made it crystal clear they are legally obligated to do so at work or risk violating … Continue reading

Posted in Gender/Sex | Tagged | 1 Comment

FSIP ADDRESSES TELEWORK BARGAINING IMPASSE Although the Impasses Panel’s decisions are not precedent for other parties, it pays to know what they are doing in other cases, especially if your own union is bargaining over Telework matters.  The Panel just … Continue reading

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ARE YOU A UNION SUBMISSIVE? The dictionary defines a submissive as someone ready to conform to the authority or will of others; one who is “meekly obedient or passive, almost sheeplike.” The answer to the opening question largely depends on the level … Continue reading

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AGENT EXPOSES IRS PROMOTION DISCRIMINATION MECHANISM This GS-11 employee claimed that he was not selected for a GS-12 promotion in Oregon because he was African-American.  He backed up that claim by pointing out that the promotion certificate showed he had … Continue reading

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NEGOTIATORS! READ WHAT DEWEY HAS TO SAY PRONTO Dewey Publishing puts out an e-mail alert about FLRA and MSPB developments.  They are a trusted source of advice—so much so that I published my book COLLECTIVE BARGAINING LAW FOR THE FEDERAL … Continue reading

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EEOC COMING AFTER OVERLY BROAD SEVERANCE AGREEMENTS The folks over at Constangy, Brooks, et al. law firm put out a very helpful blog that we follow religiously.  If you like to use civil rights laws to challenge undesirable management practices, … Continue reading

Posted in Discipline/Adverse Action | Tagged | Leave a comment