Stalled union talks slow GSA reorganization

[Omaha Steve]

http://federaltimes.com/index.php?S=2621252

Stalled union talks slow GSA reorganization
By ELISE CASTELLI
March 15, 2007

The General Services Administration is facing another setback as it sets up its new Federal Acquisition Service: stalled talks with its employees’ union. Federal labor rules require agencies, when they reorganize themselves, to negotiate new workplace rules with unions. The rules affect everything from training to job transfers, and from seniority protections to flexible work schedules.But after two months of talks with the National Federation of Federal Employees, the two sides are still trying to reach a settlement on workplace rules that will affect 4,200 employees in the Federal Supply Service and Federal Technology Service, which were merged into the Federal Acquisition Service (FAS). The agency has referred the dispute to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).

The delay in the negotiations, which are expected to resume next week, is holding up GSA’s move to adopt a new management structure, according to the agency. “We hope, with FMCS assistance, to resolve these negotiations as soon as possible so that the reorganization can be implemented,” Art Valero, GSA director of labor relations, said in a statement. The agency had hoped to settle with the union by April. But NFFE officials said GSA has rejected several union proposals and withheld information about the next steps of the reorganization, making it impossible to bargain.

“The agency isn’t coming forward with a lot of information,” said Jack Hanley, NFFE’s GSA National Council president. The union has made 135 proposals affecting work-force rules at the new agency and GSA has rejected all but eight, Hanley said. GSA contends that these proposals are already covered under current contracts and will not change as a result of the reorganization. The union has been given lists detailing how each employee will transition into FAS positions. All workers have jobs at their current pay grades and will not need to make a geographic move, Valero said. But Hanley said the union is concerned that administrative policies could change. The two divisions being merged differed in their administrative policies regarding leave, telework and employee bonuses.

FULL story at link.