[ v08 p134 ]
08:0134(26)NG
The decision of the Authority follows:
8 FLRA No. 26 NATIONAL FEDERATION OF FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 1363 Union and HEADQUARTERS, U.S. ARMY GARRISON, YONGSAN, KOREA Agency Case No. 0-NG-173 ORDER DISMISSING NEGOTIABILITY APPEAL 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) (5 U.S.C. 7101 - 7135). THIS APPEAL WAS FILED BASED ON THE AGENCY'S ALLEGATION THAT IT DID NOT HAVE A DUTY TO BARGAIN OVER A UNION PROPOSAL CONCERNING THE ALLOCATION OF GOVERNMENT-CONTROLLED FAMILY HOUSING WITH RESPECT TO CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES IN THE AGENCY. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE UNION ALSO FILED WITH THE AUTHORITY CHARGES THAT THE AGENCY HAD COMMITTED AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE BY ALLEGEDLY IMPLEMENTING AN ALLOCATION OF FAMILY HOUSING WITHOUT NEGOTIATING WITH THE UNION. PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 2423.5 AND 2424.5 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS (5 CFR 2423.5, 2424.5(1981)), THE UNION SELECTED TO PROCEED UNDER THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE CHARGE AND TO SUSPEND FURTHER ACTION ON THE NEGOTIABILITY APPEAL. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR CONCLUDED THAT FURTHER PROCEEDINGS ON THE UNION'S CHARGE WAS NOT WARRANTED. SPECIFICALLY, THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR DETERMINED THAT THE AGENCY'S "EXISTING POLICY REGARDING THE OCCUPANCY OF GOVERNMENT OWNED OR LEASED HOUSING (H)AS REMAINED UNCHANGED." THUS, WITHOUT READING THE QUESTION RAISED IN THE NEGOTIABILITY APPEAL OF WHETHER THE ALLOCATION OF FAMILY HOUSING CONSTITUTES A CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT OF BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES, THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR DETERMINED THAT, IN ANY EVENT, NO CHANGE IN AGENCY POLICY HAD OCCURRED AND, THEREFORE, THE AGENCY HAD NO OBLIGATION TO BARGAIN OVER PROPOSALS RELATING TO THAT POLICY. NO APPEAL OF THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR'S DETERMINATION WAS TAKEN TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL. IN THE ABSENCE OF A DUTY TO BARGAIN BETWEEN THE PARTIES TO THIS CASE, ISSUES AS TO THE SCOPE OF BARGAINING, I.E., WHETHER THE PROPOSAL IN DISPUTE HEREIN CONCERNS THE CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT OF BARGAINING UNIT EMPLOYEES, ARE NOT APPROPRIATE FOR RESOLUTION BY THE AUTHORITY. FOR THE FOREGOING REASONS, IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE NEGOTIABILITY ISSUE RAISED IN THE INSTANT APPEAL WAS RENDERED MOOT BY THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR'S DECISION THAT THE AGENCY'S POLICY REGARDING THE ALLOCATION OF FAMILY HOUSING HAD NOT BEEN CHANGED AND, THEREFORE, THAT THE AGENCY WAS NOT OBLIGATED TO BARGAIN OVER UNION PROPOSALS CONCERNING THAT POLICY. CF. OVERSEAS EDUCATION ASSOCIATION AND DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, OFFICE OF DEPENDENTS SCHOOLS, ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA, 7 FLRA NO. 11(1981) (NEGOTIABILITY ISSUES WERE RENDERED MOOT BY THE AUTHORITY'S DECISION THAT THE BARGAINING UNIT INVOLVED WAS NO LONGER APPROPRIATE). ACCORDINGLY, WITHOUT PASSING ON THE MERITS OF THE DISPUTE, IT IS ORDERED THAT THE UNION'S APPEAL BE, AND IT HEREBY IS, DISMISSED. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 11, 1982 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY