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, automation, some public image disasters, poor business practices, etc. But at least as harmful as any of them was labor’s own decision to give away it most valuable asset, namely its right to exclusively represent employees in all employment-related matters, not just contract matters. 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 described them below. (This is the second in a series of postings.  The first was entitled, “Bargaining With Jerks #1 (information Access)”. This series is dedicated to those on the agency side of the table who come to obstruct rather than construct, whose only bargaining skill is to game-play, and who cost agencies millions each year.) 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 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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