[ v08 p35 ]
08:0035(7)NG
The decision of the Authority follows:
8 FLRA No. 7 INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS, LOCAL F-109, AFL-CIO Union and DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY, HEADQUARTERS, CARLISLE BARRACKS, CARLISLE, PENNSYLVANIA Agency Case No. 0-NG-298 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 THE QUESTION OF THE NEGOTIABILITY OF THE FOLLOWING UNION PROPOSAL: ARTICLE XIX WORK ASSIGNMENTS SECTION 1 - THE EMPLOYER RECOGNIZING THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WHICH ARE FIRE PREVENTION, FIRE PROTECTION AND LIFE SAFETY. SECTION 2 - THE EMPLOYER DETERMINING WORK SCHEDULES AND ASSIGNMENTS WHEN REASONABLY USED WITHIN POSITION AND CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS FOR FIRE FIGHTERS, GS-081 SERIES, APRIL, 1976. SECTION 3 - TEMPORARY DUTY ASSIGNMENTS NOT TO EXCEED 30 DAYS SUCH AS ACTING DRIVER AND LEAD FIRE FIGHTER-- SUCH ASSIGNMENTS WILL BE MADE ON A ROTATING BASIS AMONG AVAILABLE CANDIDATES. SECTION 4 - REPAIR, MAINTENANCE, REHABILITATION AND UPKEEP OF FIRE PROTECTION QUARTERS AND RELATED EQUIPMENT SHALL NOT BE THE DUTY OF UNIT EMPLOYEES. ALSO, THE REMOVAL OF SNOW, EXCEPT AROUND THE FIRE STATION, SHALL NOT BE THE DUTY OF UNIT EMPLOYEES. UPON CAREFUL CONSIDERATION OF THE ENTIRE RECORD, INCLUDING THE PARTIES' CONTENTIONS, THE AUTHORITY MAKES THE FOLLOWING DETERMINATIONS. IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LANGUAGE USED IN THE PROPOSAL ITSELF, /1/ THE AUTHORITY CONCLUDES THAT THE ENTIRE PROPOSAL WOULD DIRECTLY INTERFERE WITH MANAGEMENT'S RIGHT TO ASSIGN WORK BY REQUIRING THAT "WORK ASSIGNMENTS" BE CONSISTENT WITH THE PRIMARY FUNCTIONS OF THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND/OR POSITION CLASSIFICATION STANDARDS FOR FIRE FIGHTERS; REQUIRING ASSIGNMENT OF DUTIES ON A ROTATIONAL BASIS TO EMPLOYEES AVAILABLE FOR THE ASSIGNMENT; AND PROHIBITING THE ASSIGNMENT OF SPECIFIED DUTIES TO FIRE FIGHTERS. FOR THE REASONS STATED FULLY IN INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF FIRE FIGHTERS, LOCAL F-61 AND PHILADELPHIA NAVAL SHIPYARD, 3 FLRA 438(1980); AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, LOCAL 695 AND DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, U.S. MINT, DENVER, COLORADO, 3 FLRA 43(1980); AND ASSOCIATION OF CIVILIAN TECHNICIANS AND STATE OF GEORGIA NATIONAL GUARD, 2 FLRA 604(1980) THE PROPOSAL IN THIS CASE MUST BE HELD TO BE INCONSISTENT WITH THE AGENCY'S RIGHT "TO ASSIGN WORK" PURSUANT TO SECTION 7106(A)(2)(B) OF THE STATUTE AND, THEREFORE, OUTSIDE THE AGENCY'S DUTY TO BARGAIN. 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 IN ITS ENTIRETY. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 4, 1982 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY --------------- FOOTNOTES: --------------- /1/ THE UNION IN THIS CASE PROVIDED NO EXPLANATION OF THE INTENT OF ITS PROPOSAL. IN THIS REGARD, UNIONS ARE REMINDED THAT PURSUANT TO SECTION 2424.4(A)(2) OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS (5 CFR 2424.4(A)(2)(1981)), WHICH SECTION BECAME EFFECTIVE SUBSEQUENT TO THE FILING OF THE UNION'S PETITION IN THIS CASE, A PETITION FOR REVIEW OF A NEGOTIABILITY ISSUE MUST CONTAIN "AN EXPLICIT STATEMENT OF THE MEANING OF THE PROPOSAL BY THE EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE."