WHY PROBATIONERS SHOULD JOIN THE UNION

Although the urban rumor is that probationers have no way to challenge an agency when it terminates them, experienced union reps know that is far from the truth.  In fact, we just saw a case out of EEOC where the Commission ordered an employee dismissed during her probationary period reinstated with two years of back pay, interest, retroactive promotions and step increases, and compensatory damages. Over 99% of probationers would have no idea how to challenge an agency’s decision to fire them, which is where the union comes it. The employee in this case was terminated for failing to pass an agency administered test after the agency ignored her request for an accommodation of her learning disability.  For details, check out Alena C. v. Denis R. McDonough, Sec’y, DVA, EEOC No. 2023001110 (2023) Union reps should make sure that all probationers know that not only do they have rights, and that paying union dues can be worlds cheaper than hiring a private attorney to file an EEO claim.