[ v07 p752 ]
07:0752(122)NG
The decision of the Authority follows:
7 FLRA No. 122 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIREFIGHTERS, AFL-CIO, CLC, LOCAL F-116 Union and DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE, VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, CALIFORNIA Agency Case No. O-NG-327 DECISION AND ORDER ON NEGOTIABILITY ISSUE THE PETITION FOR REVIEW IN THIS CASE COMES BEFORE THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY (THE AUTHORITY) PURSUANT TO SECTION 7105(A)(2)(E) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (THE STATUTE), AND RAISES AN ISSUE AS TO THE NEGOTIABILITY OF THE FOLLOWING UNION PROPOSAL: ARTICLE 4, TRAINING, SECTION 1 1. THE FIRE PROTECTION BRANCH'S TRAINING PROGRAM WILL BE CONDUCTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT REGULATIONS, AIR FORCE REGULATIONS AND DE OPERATING INSTRUCTIONS. TRAINING PERIODS: TRAINING WILL BE SCHEDULED FOR NORMAL DUTY HOURS, 0730-1630 HOURS, MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY. TRAINING MAY BE SCHEDULED FROM 0730-1100 ON SATURDAYS. SUNDAYS AND HOLIDAYS WILL ONLY BE CONDUCTED AT THE DIRECTION OF THE BASE FIRE CHIEF. IF CONDITIONS WARRANT TRAINING, I.E., MAKEUP, PROFICIENCY OR NIGHT OPERATIONS, IT MAY BE CONDUCTED. TRAINING OPERATIONS WILL NOT BE INITIATED AFTER 2030 HOURS. ALL VEHICLES WILL BE RETURNED TO SERVICE NO LATER THAN 2130 HOURS. (ONLY THE UNDERSCORED PORTION OF THE PROPOSAL IS IN DISPUTE.) UPON CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE ENTIRE RECORD, INCLUDING THE PARTIES' CONTENTIONS, THE AUTHORITY MAKES THE FOLLOWING DETERMINATION. THE DISPUTED PROPOSAL IN THIS CASE WOULD PRESCRIBE THAT THE AGENCY ONLY COULD SCHEDULE TRAINING DURING CERTAIN HOURS OR ON CERTAIN DAYS OF THE NORMAL 24-HOUR SHIFTS COMPRISING THE WORKWEEK OF THE FIRE FIGHTERS INVOLVED. IN THIS RESPECT, THE PROPOSAL BEARS NO MATERIAL DIFFERENCE FROM SECTION 1 OF PROPOSAL I WHICH WAS BEFORE THE AUTHORITY IN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS, LOCAL F-61 AND PHILADELPHIA NAVAL SHIPYARD, 3 FLRA NO. 66(1980), AND HELD TO BE OUTSIDE THE DUTY TO BARGAIN UNDER THE STATUTE. IN THAT CASE, THE AUTHORITY RULED THAT THE UNION'S PROPOSAL TO LIMIT THE ABILITY OF THE AGENCY TO ASSIGN TRAINING AT ALL AFTER SPECIFIED HOURS DURING THE WORKDAY OR ON CERTAIN DAYS OF A FIRE FIGHTER'S WORKWEEK WAS INCONSISTENT WITH MANAGEMENT'S RIGHT UNDER SECTION 7106(A)(2)(B) OF THE STATUTE "TO ASSIGN WORK" TO EMPLOYEES. CONSEQUENTLY, FOR THE REASONS STATED IN THAT CASE, THE DISPUTED PROPOSAL MUST ALSO BE HELD TO BE OUTSIDE THE DUTY TO BARGAIN UNDER SECTION 7106(A)(2)(B). ACCORDINGLY, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2424.10 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS (5 CFR 2424.10(1981)), IT IS ORDERED THAT THE UNION'S PETITION FOR REVIEW BE, AND IT HEREBY IS, DISMISSED. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., JANUARY 28, 1982 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY