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 rather than many.  Unfortunately, that is too often the case today and it is hurting unions’ bargaining power.  Although our core example dealt with the Registered Nurses of the Department of Veteran Affairs, we in no way meant to attack their current situation or unions. They made that choice and, frankly, the current approach has some advantages too. 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 your local, it is worth your time to at least page through this to see the updates.

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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 happening in their work lives.  Few members will ever need union help against a proposed disciplinary action or to get a promotion unfairly denied them.  While most of the unit benefits from a newly negotiated benefit, most soon forget that the union got the benefit for them. But everyone feels better knowing what is going on behind the scenes at their workplace.   Once the union establishes itself as a continuing source of timely, accurate, locally relevant news, employee support and loyalty will grow. 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 Times recently reported that the IRS takes in $7.00 dollars for every dollar Congress puts in the IRS budget.  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 it demeaning, but unfortunately for the members of AFGE Local 788 an arbitrator said it is OK. Here is why and what unions can do to prevent this? Continue reading →

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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. Continue reading →

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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 why management wants to fire her she says, “It’s complicated.” Where do you go to find out all the appeal options she and the union have to challenge her pending removal?  We suggest that a good place to start is 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 to officially leave “voluntarily.” In the early days of the Civil Service Reform Act if an employee retired under threat of removal he could not get back pay or even reinstatement even if he won his appeal. That is not so anymore, which gives the targeted employee some options.  Continue reading →

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Posted on July 7, 2013 by AdminUN

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 works that all union reps should at least read once.  Continue reading →

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Posted on July 7, 2013 by AdminUN

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 “16 Ways Probationers Can Appeal Terminations.”  A recent Office of Special Counsel (OSC) case demonstrates the potential success of working with the union to plot an appeal path. Here is what OSC had to say in its own words. Continue reading →

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