[ v02 p377 ]
02:0377(51)CO
The decision of the Authority follows:
2 FLRA No. 51 NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION, WASHINGTON, D.C. Respondent and BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS, WASHINGTON, D.C. Complainant Assistant Secretary Case No. 41-6047(CO) DECISION AND ORDER ON JULY 10, 1979, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE EDWIN S. BERNSTEIN ISSUED HIS RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER IN THE ABOVE-ENTITLED PROCEEDING, FINDING THAT THE RESPONDENT HAD VIOLATED SECTION 19(B)(1) OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED, AND RECOMMENDING THAT IT CEASE AND DESIST THEREFROM AND TAKE CERTAIN AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS AS SET FORTH IN THE ATTACHED ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER. NO EXCEPTIONS WERE FILED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER. THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF LABOR FOR LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED, WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE AUTHORITY UNDER SECTION 304 OF REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 2 OF 1978 (43 F.R. 36040), WHICH TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS IS IMPLEMENTED BY SECTION 2400.2 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS (44 F.R. 44741, JULY 30, 1979). THE AUTHORITY CONTINUES TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE FUNCTIONS AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 7135(B) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (92 STAT. 1215). THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2400.2 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS AND SECTION 7135(B) OF THE STATUTE, THE AUTHORITY HAS REVIEWED THE RULINGS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE MADE AT THE HEARING AND FINDS THAT NO PREJUDICIAL ERROR WAS COMMITTED. THE RULINGS ARE HEREBY AFFIRMED. UPON CONSIDERATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER AND THE ENTIRE RECORD IN THIS CASE, AND NOTING PARTICULARLY THAT NO EXCEPTIONS WERE FILED, THE AUTHORITY HEREBY ADOPTS THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. /1/ ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTION 2400.2 OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY AND SECTION 7135 OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE, THE AUTHORITY HEREBY ORDERS THAT THE NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION AND NTEU CHAPTER 88 SHALL: 1. CEASE AND DESIST FROM: (A) COERCING NON-UNION MEMBERS TO JOIN NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION AS A CONDITION FOR BEING NOMINATED AS AN EQUAL EMPLOYEE OPPORTUNITY COUNSELOR BY THE UNION. (B) IN ANY LIKE MANNER, INTERFERING WITH, RESTRAINING OR COERCING EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS ASSURED BY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER. 2. TAKE THE FOLLOWING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES AND POLICIES OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER: (A) POST AT THE OFFICES OF NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION CHAPTER 88, AND AT ALL PLACES WHERE NOTICES TO MEMBERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES ARE CUSTOMARILY POSTED, INCLUDING FACILITIES PROVIDED BY THE ACTIVITY AT THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS OFFICES IN THE CENTRAL REGION, COPIES OF THE ATTACHED NOTICE MARKED "APPENDIX" ON FORMS TO BE FURNISHED BY THE AUTHORITY. UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH FORMS, THEY SHALL BE SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT OF NTEU AND PRESIDENT OF NTEU CHAPTER 88 AND SHALL BE POSTED AND MAINTAINED BY THE PRESIDENT OF NTEU CHAPTER 88 IN CONSPICUOUS PLACES, INCLUDING BULLETIN BOARDS AND ALL OTHER PLACES WHERE NOTICES TO UNION MEMBERS ARE CUSTOMARILY POSTED. THE PRESIDENT OF UNION CHAPTER 88 SHALL TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO INSURE THAT SUCH NOTICES ARE NOT ALTERED, DEFACED OR COVERED BY ANY OTHER MATERIAL. (B) NOTIFY THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY, IN WRITING, WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS ORDER AS TO WHAT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO COMPLY HEREWITH. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., DECEMBER 31, 1979 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY APPENDIX NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO A DECISION AND ORDER OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY AND IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE POLICIES OF CHAPTER 71 OF TITLE 5 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS WE HEREBY NOTIFY OUR MEMBERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS, CENTRAL REGION, THAT: WE WILL NOT COERCE NON-UNION MEMBERS TO JOIN THE NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION AS A CONDITION FOR BEING NOMINATED AS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COUNSELOR BY THE UNION. WE WILL NOT IN ANY LIKE MANNER, INTERFERE WITH, RESTRAIN, OR COERCE EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS ASSURED BY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER. PRESIDENT, NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION PRESIDENT, NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION, CHAPTER 88 DATED: THIS NOTICE MUST REMAIN POSTED FOR 60 CONSECUTIVE DAYS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING, AND MUST NOT BE ALTERED, DEFACED, OR COVERED BY ANY OTHER MATERIAL. IF EMPLOYEES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS NOTICE OR COMPLIANCE WITH ANY OF ITS PROVISIONS, THEY MAY COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY, WHOSE ADDRESS IS: ROOM 1638, DIRKSEN FEDERAL BUILDING, 219 SOUTH DEARBORN STREET, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60604; AND WHOSE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS: (312) 353-6746. CARL R. NOLTE, ESQ. MICHAEL SITCOV, ESQ. OFFICE OF CHIEF COUNSEL THERESE FALLER, LABOR RELATIONS SPECIALIST BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS UNITED STATES TREASURY DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, D.C. 20226 FOR THE COMPLAINANT GERI PALAST, ESQ. ASSISTANT COUNSEL NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION 1730 K STREET, NW. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006 FOR THE RESPONDENT BEFORE: EDWIN S. BERNSTEIN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER ON JUNE 29, 1978, THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS (BATF) FILED A COMPLAINT AGAINST THE NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION (NTEU). THE COMPLAINT ALLEGED THAT THE UNION VIOLATED SUBSECTION 19(B)(1) OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED (THE EXECUTIVE ORDER) IN THAT MR. MARTIN J. CONNELL, THE PRESIDENT OF NTEU'S CHAPTER 88, ATTEMPTED TO COERCE MS. CAROL A. JORDAN, A NON-UNION MEMBER, TO JOIN THE UNION AS A CONDITION FOR BEING NOMINATED AS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY (EEO) COUNSELOR BY THE UNION. PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF HEARING DATED SEPTEMBER 5, 1978, A HEARING WAS HELD BEFORE ME IN DETROIT, MICHIGAN ON NOVEMBER 14, 1978. BOTH PARTIES WERE REPRESENTED BY COUNSEL, EXAMINED AND CROSS-EXAMINED WITNESSES, PRESENTED EVIDENCE, AND FILED POST-HEARING BRIEFS. UPON THE ENTIRE RECORD, I MAKE THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND RECOMMENDED ORDER. FINDINGS OF FACT NTEU AND NTEU CHAPTER 88 ARE THE EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVES OF THE BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES OF BATF, CENTRAL REGION. ARTICLE 15(2) OF THE PARTIES' COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT READS: "WHEN THE EMPLOYER FINDS IT NECESSARY TO APPOINT ADDITIONAL EEO COUNSELORS FOR BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES, OR TO REPLACE SUCH EXISTING COUNSELORS, THE EMPLOYER WILL SELECT THE PERSON TO FILL THE VACANT COUNSELOR POSITION FROM A LIST OF AT LEAST FIVE (5) QUALIFIED NOMINEES SUBMITTED BY THE UNION." THE EEO COUNSEL POSITION INVOLVED IN THIS COMPLAINT IS IN DETROIT. BY LETTER DATED JANUARY 4, 1978, MR. L. E. DALLAS, REGIONAL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER, BATF CENTRAL REGION REQUESTED MR. MARTIN J. CONNELL, PRESIDENT TO NTEU CHAPTER NO. 88 TO NOMINATE EMPLOYEES FOR EEO COUNSELOR POSITIONS IN CLEVELAND AND CINCINNATI. ON JANUARY 5, MR. DALLAS AGAIN WROTE MR. CONNELL, THIS TIME REQUESTING THE UNION TO APPOINT TWO REPRESENTATIVES TO THE EEO AFFIRMATIVE ACTION ADVISORY COMMITTEE. IN SUBSEQUENT TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS, MR. DALLAS TOLD MR. CONNELL THAT IF HE COULD NOT FIND 5 NOMINEES HE COULD SUBMIT LESS NAMES. BY LETTER OF FEBRUARY 3, 1978, MR. CONNELL SUBMITTED FOUR NAMES FOR THE CINCINNATI POSITION AND ONE FOR THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE POSITION. BY LETTER OF FEBRUARY 13, 1978, MR. DALLAS INFORMED MR. CONNELL THAT THE DETROIT EEO COUNSELOR WISHED TO BE REPLACED, REQUESTED THE UNION TO SUBMIT NAMES OF NOMINEES, AND SUGGESTED THAT THE UNION CONSIDER MS. CAROL JORDAN WHO WAS INTERESTED IN THE POSITION. THE COMPLAINT IS BASED ON A FIVE MINUTE TELEPHONE CONVERSATION BETWEEN MR. CONNELL AND MR. JORDAN ON MARCH 3, 1978. THE PARTICIPANTS OFFERED SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR ACCOUNTS. ON MARCH 1, MR. CONNELL CALLED MS. JORDAN'S OFFICE AND ASKED HER TO RETURN HIS CALL WHICH SHE DID ON MARCH 3. MS. JORDAN TESTIFIED THAT MR. CONNELL INFORMED HER THAT HE WAS THE UNION REPRESENTATIVE, THAT HER NAME WAS GIVEN TO HIM FOR CONSIDERATION FOR THE POSITION OF UNION COUNSELOR, AND THAT HE HAD CHECKED WITH FELLOW EMPLOYEES ABOUT HER AND LEARNED THAT SHE WAS NOT A UNION MEMBER. MR. CONNELL STATED THAT IT WOULD PUT HIM IN A BAD POSITION TO NOMINATE A NON-UNION MEMBER IF THERE WERE UNION MEMBERS AVAILABLE AND SUGGESTED THAT SHE JOIN THE UNION. WHEN SHE STATED THAT SHE DID NOT REALIZE THAT UNION MEMBERSHIP WAS A REQUIREMENT, HE SAID THAT IT WAS NOT BUT REPEATED THAT IT WOULD PUT HIM IN A BAD POSITION IF HE NOMINATED A NON-UNION MEMBER. MS. JORDAN FURTHER STATED THAT WHEN SHE ASKED HIM IF HIS CONVERSATION MEANT THAT HE WOULD NOT NOMINATE HER UNLESS SHE JOINED THE UNION, HE REPLIED, "NO, I DON'T MEAN I WON'T PUT YOUR NAME IN, BUT YOU CAN UNDERSTAND MY POSITION, AND ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS FILL OUT THE FORM FOR MEMBERSHIP." MR. CONNELL TESTIFIED THAT HE "RECOGNIZED THAT SHE MIGHT HAVE SOME SPECIAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE JOB, BUT I HAVE NOTED THAT YOU ARE NOT A UNION MEMBER, AND I SAID WHILE IN ESSENCE THAT DOESN'T PRECLUDE MY NOMINATING YOU, IT WOULD CERTAINLY MAKE IT EASIER FOR ME TO NOMINATE YOU IF YOUR WERE A UNION MEMBER." THE UNION COULD NOT FIND ANY OTHER NOMINEES FOR THE DETROIT POSITION AND MR. CONNELL NOMINATED NO ONE FOR THAT POSITION. BY LETTER DATED MAY 19, 1978, BATF WROTE MR. CONNELL THAT SINCE BATF HAD NOT RECEIVED THE REQUIRED NOMINEES WITHIN 90 DAYS OF ITS REQUEST, MS. JORDAN HAD BEEN SELECTED FOR DETROIT. THE LETTER ALSO DESIGNATED SELECTIONS FOR THE CLEVELAND AND CINCINNATI POSITION. AT THE HEARING, MR. CONNELL FURTHER TESTIFIED: Q. DID YOU INTEND TO COERCE HER INTO JOINING THE UNION? A. I THING THAT'S FAR TOO STRONG A WORD. I WOULD HAVE LIKED FOR HER TO JOIN THE UNION, AND I FELT IT WOULD BE A LOT EASIER FOR ME TO NOMINATE HER. MR. CONNELL ADMITTED THAT IN HIS CONVERSATION WITH MS. JORDAN HE DID NOT ASK HER ABOUT HER PRIOR EXPERIENCE AS AN EEO COUNSELOR AND THAT HE MADE NO OTHER INQUIRIES ABOUT THIS. HE STATED THAT WITH RESPECT TO HIS PRIOR NOMINATIONS FOR EEO COUNSELOR, "I DON'T THINK I'VE EVER NOMINATED A NON-UNION MEMBER". LATER IN HIS TESTIMONY HE STATED, "I WAS HOPEFUL THAT THE RESULT OF MY TELEPHONE CALL WOULD BE THAT SHE WOULD JOIN THE UNION BUT I SURE WAS NOT IN A POSITION - AND DIDN'T PUT ANY SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE ON." HE FURTHER TESTIFIED IN ANSWER TO MY QUESTIONS. "A. . . . I WAS NOT AT ALL HAPPY WITH THE SITUATION WHERE WE SIMPLY HAD NO NOMINEES FROM DETROIT OTHER THAN CAROL JORDAN, AND I WAS HOPEFUL THAT IN MY PROCRASTINATION ANOTHER NOMINEE WOULD COME UP, BUT I WAS NOT OPTIMISTIC AND I RESIGNED MYSELF TO THE FACT THAT IF WE WERE TO MAKE A NOMINEE IT WOULD BE CAROL JORDAN. Q. SO YOU HESITATED TO NOMINATE HER? A. I WAS HESITANT. Q. DELAYING AS LONG AS YOU COULD? A. RIGHT, AND I PLANNED TO WAIT EVEN LONGER AND FELT THAT I HAD NO RUSH AND IN ALL HONESTY I WAS HOPEFUL THAT SHE WOULD JOIN THE UNION SOMEPLACE ALONG THE LINE." CONCLUSIONS OF LAW SUBSECTION 19(B)(1) OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER STATES: "A LABOR ORGANIZATION SHALL NOT INTERFERE WITH, RESTRAIN, OR COERCE AN EMPLOYEE IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS RIGHTS ASSURED BY THIS ORDER." SUBSECTION 1(A) READS: "EACH EMPLOYEE OF THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT HAS THE RIGHT, FREELY AND WITHOUT FEAR OF PENALTY OR REPRISAL, TO FORM, JOIN, AND ASSIST A LABOR ORGANIZATION OR TO REFRAIN FROM SUCH ACTIVITY; AND EACH EMPLOYEE SHALL BE PROTECTED IN THE EXERCISE OF THIS RIGHT." I FIND THAT IN HIS TELEPHONE CONVERSATION WITH MR. JORDAN ON MARCH 3, 1978, MR. CONNELL ATTEMPTED TO COERCE MS. JORDAN INTO JOINING HIS UNION IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 19(B)(1) OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER. AS INDICATED BY HIS TESTIMONY AND DEMEANOR AT THE HEARING, HIS PRIMARY INTEREST DURING THE CONVERSATION WAS WHETHER OR NOT SHE WAS A UNION MEMBER. HE CLEARLY COMMUNICATED TO HER THAT IF SHE JOINED THE UNION HE WOULD NOMINATE HER AND IF SHE FAILED TO JOIN HE PROBABLY WOULD NOT. AS HE INDICATED BY HIS TESTIMONY, MR. CONNELL DID NOT NOMINATE MS. JORDAN SOLELY BECAUSE SHE FAILED TO JOIN THE UNION. SHE WAS QUITE CORRECT IN FEELING PRESSURED. HE INTENDED TO PRESSURE HER AND HE DID PRESSURE HER. I DO NOT AGREE WITH THE UNION THAT THE VIOLATION WAS RENDERED DE MINIMUS OR CURED BY MANAGEMENT'S SUBSEQUENT APPOINTMENT OF MR. JORDAN AFTER MR. CONNELL'S INACTION. THE UNION ATTEMPTED TO JUSTIFY MR. CONNELL'S DISTRICT OF NON-UNION EMPLOYEES BY CLAIMING THAT SUCH PERSONS MIGHT BE ANTI-UNION. WHILE DETERMINING WHETHER AN APPLICANT IS ANTI-UNION IS VALID, AS INDICATED BY FPM LETTER 713-29, II B5(2), IT IS IMPROPER TO REJECT A CANDIDATE SOLELY BECAUSE SHE IS NOT A UNION MEMBER. THE UNION ALSO ARGUED THAT BATF LACKED STANDING TO ASSERT THIS COMPLAINT BASED ON COERCION OF AN INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYEE. I DISAGREE. SECTION 1(A) OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER READS IN PART: "THE HEAD OF EACH AGENCY SHALL TAKE THE ACTION REQUIRED TO ASSURE THAT EMPLOYEES IN THE AGENCY ARE APPRISED OF THEIR RIGHTS UNDER THIS SECTION, AND THAT NO INTERFERENCE, RESTRAINT, COERCION, OR DISCRIMINATION IS PRACTICED WITHIN HIS AGENCY TO ENCOURAGE OR DISCOURAGE MEMBERSHIP IN A LABOR UNION." IN FURTHERANCE OF THIS POLICY, 29 CFR 203.1 READS: "SEC. 203.1 WHO MAY FILE COMPLAINTS. A COMPLAINT THAT AN ACTIVITY OR LABOR ORGANIZATION HAS ENGAGED IN ANY ACT PROHIBITED UNDER SECTION 19 OF THE ORDER OR HAS FAILED TO TAKE ANY ACTION REQUIRED BY THE ORDER, MAY BE FILED BY AN EMPLOYEE, AN ACTIVITY, AGENCY, OR A LABOR ORGANIZATION." RECOMMENDATION HAVING FOUND THAT RESPONDENT HAS ENGAGED IN CONDUCT PROHIBITED BY SECTION 19(B)(1) OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED, I RECOMMEND THAT THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY (THE AUTHORITY) ADOPT THE FOLLOWING ORDER DESIGNED TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES AND POLICIES OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER. RECOMMENDED ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTION 6(B) OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED, 29 C.F.R. 203.26, AND SECTION 2400.2 OF THE TRANSITION RULES AND REGULATIONS (5 C.F.R. 2400.1), THE AUTHORITY HEREBY ORDERS THAT NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION SHALL: 1. CEASE AND DESIST FROM A. COERCING NON-UNION MEMBERS TO JOIN NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION AS A CONDITION FOR BEING NOMINATED AS AN EQUAL EMPLOYEES OPPORTUNITY COUNSELOR BY THE UNION. B. IN ANY LIKE MANNER, INTERFERING WITH, RESTRAINING OR COERCING EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS ASSURED BY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER. 2. TAKE THE FOLLOWING AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES AND POLICIES OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER. A. POST AT NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION CHAPTER 88'S OFFICE AND AT BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS OFFICES IN THE CENTRAL REGION COPIES OF THE ATTACHED NOTICE MARKED "APPENDIX" ON FORMS TO BE FURNISHED BY THE AUTHORITY. UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH FORMS, THEY SHALL BE SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT OF NTEU AND PRESIDENT OF NTEU CHAPTER 88 AND SHALL BE POSTED AND MAINTAINED BY THE PRESIDENT OF UNION CHAPTER 88 IN CONSPICUOUS PLACES, INCLUDING BULLETIN BOARDS AND OTHER PLACES WHERE NOTICES TO UNION MEMBERS ARE CUSTOMARILY POSTED. THE PRESIDENT OF UNION CHAPTER 88 SHALL TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO INSURE THAT SUCH NOTICES ARE NOT ALTERED, DEFACED OR COVERED BY OTHER MATERIAL. B. PURSUANT TO SECTION 203.27 OF THE REGULATIONS NOTIFY THE AUTHORITY IN WRITING WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THE ORDER AS TO WHAT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO COMPLY WITH THE ORDER. EDWIN S. BERNSTEIN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE DATED: 10 JUL 1979 WASHINGTON, D.C. APPENDIX NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO A DECISION AND ORDER OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY AND IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE POLICIES OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED WE HEREBY NOTIFY OUR MEMBERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES OF THE BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS, CENTRAL REGION THAT: WE WILL NOT COERCE NON-UNION MEMBERS TO JOIN NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION AS A CONDITION FOR BEING NOMINATED AS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY COUNSELOR BY THE UNION. WE WILL NOT IN ANY LIKE MANNER, INTERFERE WITH, RESTRAIN, OR COERCE EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS ASSURED BY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER. PRESIDENT, NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION PRESIDENT, NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION, CHAPTER 88 DATED: THIS NOTICE MUST REMAIN POSTED FOR 60 CONSECUTIVE DAYS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING AND MUST NOT BE ALTERED, DEFACED, OR COVERED BY ANY OTHER MATERIAL. IF EMPLOYEES HAVE ANY QUESTION CONCERNING THIS NOTICE OR COMPLIANCE WITH ANY OF ITS PROVISIONS, THEY MAY COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR, CHICAGO REGIONAL OFFICE, FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY, WHOSE ADDRESS IS SUITE 1201A. INSURANCE EXCHANGE BUILDING, 175 WEST JACKSON BOULEVARD, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60604. /1/ IN CONFORMITY WITH SECTION 902(B) OF THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 1978(92 STAT. 1224), THE PRESENT CASE IS DECIDED SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF E.O. 11491, AS AMENDED, AND AS IF THE NEW FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE(92 STAT. 1191) HAD NOT BEEN ENACTED. THE DECISION AND ORDER DOES NOT PREJUDGE IN ANY MANNER EITHER THE MEANING OR APPLICATION OF RELATED PROVISIONS IN THE NEW STATUTE OR THE RESULT WHICH WOULD BE REACHED BY THE AUTHORITY IF THE CASE HAD ARISEN UNDER THE STATUTE RATHER THAN THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.