09:0016(2)CU - NG Bureau, State of New York, Division of Military and Naval Affairs, Albany, NY and ACT, Inc. -- 1982 FLRAdec RP
[ v09 p16 ]
09:0016(2)CU
The decision of the Authority follows:
9 FLRA No. 2 NATIONAL GUARD BUREAU STATE OF NEW YORK DIVISION OF MILITARY AND NAVAL AFFAIRS, ALBANY, NEW YORK Activity and ASSOCIATION OF CIVILIAN TECHNICIANS, INC. Labor Organization Case No. 1-CU-22 DECISION AND ORDER CLARIFYING UNIT UPON A PETITION DULY FILED WITH THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY UNDER SECTION 7111(B)(2) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (THE STATUTE), A HEARING WAS HELD BEFORE A HEARING OFFICER OF THE AUTHORITY. THE HEARING OFFICER'S RULINGS MADE AT THE HEARING ARE FREE FROM PREJUDICIAL ERROR AND ARE HEREBY AFFIRMED. UPON THE ENTIRE RECORD IN THIS CASE, INCLUDING THE BRIEFS FILED BY BOTH PARTIES, THE AUTHORITY FINDS: THE ASSOCIATION OF CIVILIAN TECHNICIANS, INC., WAS RECOGNIZED BY THE ACTIVITY ON MAY 6, 1970, AS THE EXCLUSIVE BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE FOR A UNIT OF ALL ARMY, AIR, AIR DEFENSE, NATIONAL GUARD TECHNICIANS, AND EMPLOYEES IN THE UNITED STATES PROPERTY AND FISCAL OFFICE LOCATED IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK. ALL THE DISPUTED JOB CLASSIFICATIONS WHICH ARE THE SUBJECT OF THE INSTANT PROCEEDINGS ARE IN THE BARGAINING UNIT AT THE PRESENT TIME. ESSENTIALLY, THE ACTIVITY'S PETITION SEEKS TO CLARIFY THE UNIT ELIGIBILITY OF CERTAIN EMPLOYEES /1/ AS A RESULT OF THE PARTIES' FAILURE TO AGREE ON THE APPLICABILITY OF THE STATUTE SECTION 7112(B) (EMPLOYEE EXCLUSIONS) TO THE BARGAINING UNIT. AT ISSUE HEREIN FOR UNIT ELIGIBILITY DETERMINATIONS ARE THE INCUMBENT IN THE POSITION OF PROGRAM AND MOBILITY TECHNICIAN, THE 12 INCUMBENTS IN THE POSITION OF EXAMINER AND THE 29 INCUMBENTS WITH THE TITLE OF SMALL SHOP CHIEFS IN THE ARMY AND AIR NATIONAL GUARD. THE ACTIVITY ARGUES THAT THE PROGRAM AND MOBILITY TECHNICIAN AND THE EXAMINERS ARE "MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS" AND SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE UNIT OF ELIGIBILITY, AND THAT THE 29 SMALL SHOP CHIEFS ARE "SUPERVISORS" AND SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE UNIT OF ELIGIBILITY. MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL IN DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING SELECTION OFFICE, 7 FLRA NO. 24 (1981), THE LEAD CASE ON THIS SUBJECT MATTER, THE AUTHORITY INTERPRETED THE DEFINITION OF "MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL" IN SECTION 7103(A)(11), /2/ AND CONCLUDED THAT IT INCLUDES THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO: (1) CREATE, ESTABLISH OR PRESCRIBE GENERAL PRINCIPLES, PLANS OR COURSES OF ACTION FOR AN AGENCY; (2) DECIDE UPON OR SETTLE UPON GENERAL PRINCIPLES, PLANS OR COURSES OF ACTION FOR AN AGENCY; OR (3) BRING ABOUT OR OBTAIN A RESULT AS TO THE ADOPTION OF GENERAL PRINCIPLES, PLANS OR COURSES OF ACTION FOR AN AGENCY. PROGRAM AND MOBILITY TECHNICIAN, GS-1601-8, F4501 THE AUTHORITY FINDS THAT THE INCUMBENT'S ROLE IN MAKING BUDGET RECOMMENDATIONS, DEVELOPING JOB DESCRIPTIONS AS WELL AS ACTING AS A RESOURCE OF EXPERT OPINION FOR HIGHER LEVEL DECISIONS ON PLANNING, PROGRAMS, REORGANIZATION, AND PERSONNEL MATTERS, TO BE THAT OF A VALUABLE EXPERT OR PROFESSIONAL WHOSE ACTIONS ASSIST IN IMPLEMENTING, AS OPPOSED TO SHAPING THE ACTIVITY'S POLICIES. THUS, THE RECORD IS CLEAR THAT THE INCUMBENT DOES NOT EXERCISE ANY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH REQUIRE OR AUTHORIZE HIM TO FORMULATE, DETERMINE, OR INFLUENCE THE POLICIES OF THE ACTIVITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 7103(A)(11) OF THE STATUTE, AS INTERPRETED BY THE AUTHORITY IN DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING SELECTION OFFICE, SUPRA. THEREFORE, THE AUTHORITY SHALL ORDER THAT PROGRAM AND MOBILITY TECHNICIAN, GS-1601-8, F4501, REMAIN INCLUDED IN THE EXCLUSIVELY RECOGNIZED UNIT. EXAMINERS, GS-09, R0601 THE AUTHORITY FINDS THAT THE INCUMBENTS' ROLE IN CONDUCTING AUDITS AND INTERNAL REVIEWS AND SUBSEQUENT RECOMMENDATIONS TO BE THAT OF A VALUABLE EXPERT OR PROFESSIONAL WHOSE ACTIONS ASSIST IN IMPLEMENTING, AS OPPOSED TO SHAPING THE ACTIVITY'S POLICIES. THUS, THE RECORD IS CLEAR THAT THE INCUMBENTS DO NOT EXERCISE ANY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES WHICH REQUIRE OR AUTHORIZE THEM TO FORMULATE, DETERMINE, OR INFLUENCE THE POLICIES OF THE ACTIVITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 7103(A)(11) OF THE STATUTE, AS INTERPRETED BY THE AUTHORITY IN DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY, AUTOMATIC DATA PROCESSING SECTION OFFICE, SUPRA. THEREFORE, THE AUTHORITY SHALL ORDER THAT THE EXAMINERS, GS-09, R0601, REMAIN INCLUDED IN THE EXCLUSIVELY RECOGNIZED UNIT. SUPERVISORS /3/ SMALL SHOP CHIEFS /4/ THE AUTHORITY FINDS THAT ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CHARACTERISTICS ARE DESCRIPTIVE OF THE INCUMBENTS IN ISSUE: RESPONSIBILITY FOR ASSIGNING WORK TO CIVILIAN SUBORDINATES AND ASSURING WORK COMPLETION, RESPONSIBILITY TO RECOMMEND EMPLOYEES FOR HIRE, PROMOTION, AWARDS, OR ADVERSE ACTION, THE RESPONSIBILITY TO APPROVE OR DISAPPROVE LEAVE, THE RESPONSIBILITY TO TRAIN AND ADVISE SUBORDINATES AND ADJUST GRIEVANCES. FURTHER, THE INCUMBENTS IN THESE POSITIONS CONSISTENTLY USE INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR AUTHORITY. ACCORDINGLY, THE AUTHORITY FINDS THE INCUMBENTS IN THE ABOVE POSITIONS ARE SUPERVISORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 7103(A)(10) AND SHALL ORDER THAT THEIR POSITIONS BE EXCLUDED FROM THE EXCLUSIVELY RECOGNIZED UNIT. ELECTRONIC MECHANIC (TELEPHONE), WG-13, F3129, IN THE ROSLYN UNIT THE INCUMBENT SUPERVISES ONLY GUARDSMEN. AS NOTED, SECTION 7103(A)(10) OF THE STATUTE DEFINES "SUPERVISOR" AS AN INDIVIDUAL HAVING CERTAIN AUTHORITY OVER "EMPLOYEES." SECTION 7103(A)(2) DEFINES "EMPLOYEE" FOR THE PURPOSES OF THE STATUTE AS AN INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYED IN AN AGENCY, BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE A MEMBER OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES. /5/ THE AUTHORITY FINDS THAT THE GUARDSMEN SUPERVISED BY THE INCUMBENT ARE MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES AND ARE NOT "EMPLOYEES" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE STATUTE. /6/ THEREFORE, THE AUTHORITY FINDS THAT THE INCUMBENT IS NOT A SUPERVISOR AS DEFINED IN THE STATUTE, AND SHALL ORDER THAT ELECTRONIC MECHANIC (TELEPHONE), WG-13, F3129, REMAIN IN THE EXCLUSIVELY RECOGNIZED UNIT. ORDER IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT THE UNIT SOUGHT TO BE CLARIFIED HEREIN FOR WHICH THE ASSOCIATION OF CIVILIAN TECHNICIANS, INC., WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE ON MAY 6, 1970, BE, AND, IT HEREBY IS, CLARIFIED BY EXCLUDING FROM SAID UNIT THE FOLLOWING POSITIONS: IN THE SYRACUSE UNIT, ELECTRONIC MECHANIC (RADIO), WG-14, F3071, AUTO MECHANIC, WG-12, F4724, AIRCRAFT REFUELING VEHICLE OPERATOR, WG-09, F6417, FABRIC WORKER, WG-11, F9214, AIRCRAFT ELECTRONIC, WG-11, F4538100, AIRCRAFT PNEUDRALIC SYSTEMS MECHANIC, WG-11, F4541100, ELECTRONIC MECHANIC (POWER), WG-14, F3079, AIRCRAFT ORDINANCE SYSTEMS MECHANIC, WG-11, F4544100, ELECTRONIC MECHANIC, WG-12, F4567, NDI TESTER, WG-11, F5316100. IN THE NIAGARA FALLS UNIT, AIRCRAFT REFUELING VEHICLE OPERATOR, WG-09, F6417, ELECTRONIC MECHANIC (FLT WIM), WG-13, F3415100, AIRCRAFT ELECTRONIC, WG-11, F453810, EXPLOSIVE ORDINANCE TECHNICIAN, WG-12, F4579. IN THE ROSLYN UNIT, POWERED SUPPORT SYSTEMS MECHANIC, WG-12, F4249, AUTO MECHANIC, WG-12, F4735. IN THE SCHENECTADY UNIT, INSTRUMENT MECHANIC, WG-12, F4492, FABRIC WORKER, WG-11, F9214, PNEUDRALIC SYSTEMS MECHANIC, WG-11, F4535100, AIRCRAFT ELECTRONIC, WG-11, F4538100, AIRCRAFT PNEUDRALIC SYSTEMS MECHANIC, WG-11, F4541100, AIRCRAFT REFUELING VEHICLE OPERATOR, WG-09, F6417, AIRCRAFT PROPELLER MECHANIC, WG-11, F4391, ELECTRONIC MECHANIC, WG-12, F4499000. IN THE SUFFOLK UNIT, INSTRUMENT MECHANIC, WG-12, F4492, AIRCRAFT REFUELING VEHICLE OPERATOR, WG-09, F6417, FABRIC WORKER, WG-11, F9214, AIRCRAFT PROPELLER MECHANIC, WG-11, F4391. IT IS FURTHER HEREBY ORDERED THAT THE PETITION IN CASE NO. 1-CU-22, BE, AND IT HEREBY IS, DISMISSED WITH REGARD TO ALL OTHER POSITIONS DISCUSSED HEREIN. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 1, 1982 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY --------------- FOOTNOTES$ --------------- /1/ AT THE HEARING, THE ACTIVITY WITHDREW FROM ITS PETITION THE QUESTION OF ELIGIBILITY AS TO AN EMPLOYEE CLASSIFIED IN THE SCHENECTADY UNIT AS NDI TESTER, WG-11, F5316100 AND ADDED TO THE PETITION, THE POSITION OF ELECTRONIC MECHANIC, WG-12, F4499000. IN THE NIAGARA FALLS UNIT, THE ACTIVITY WITHDREW THE QUESTION OF ELIGIBILITY AS TO AN EMPLOYEE CLASSIFIED AS NDI TESTER, WG-11, F5316100. IN THE WHITE PLAINS UNIT, THE ACTIVITY WITHDREW THE QUESTION OF ELIGIBILITY AS TO CERTAIN EMPLOYEES CLASSIFIED AIRCRAFT ENGINEER MECHANIC, WG-11, F4586100, ELECTRICAL MECHANIC, WG-12, F4499000, AND NDI TESTER, WG-11, F5316100. IN THE SUFFOLK UNIT, THE ACTIVITY WITHDREW THE QUESTION OF ELIGIBILITY AS TO AN EMPLOYEE CLASSIFIED AS NDI TESTER, WG-11, F5316100. IN THE ROSLYN UNIT, THE ACTIVITY WITHDREW THE QUESTION OF ELIGIBILITY AS TO AN EMPLOYEE CLASSIFIED AS AUTO MECHANIC, WG-12, F4724. ACCORDINGLY, THE AUTHORITY WILL CONSIDER SUCH WITHDRAWALS AND ADDITION AS AN AMENDMENT TO THE PETITION. FURTHER, THE AUTHORITY WILL NOT DETERMINE THE UNIT ELIGIBILITY OF POSITIONS WHICH ARE NOT SUFFICIENTLY IDENTIFIED BY THE PETITIONER. UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF THIS CASE, DUE TO THE ABSENCE OF TESTIMONY AT THE HEARING, AND NO OTHER SUFFICIENT EVIDENCE, THE AUTHORITY SHALL NOT PASS UPON THE POSITIONS IDENTIFIED IN THE NIAGARA FALLS UNIT AS FABRIC WORKER, WG-11, F9214, AND IN THE SYRACUSE UNIT AS ELECTRONIC MECHANIC, RADAR, WG-14, F3075. /2/ SECTION 7103(A)(11) OF THE STATUTE DEFINES "MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL" AS: . . . AN INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYED BY AN AGENCY IN A POSITION THE DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF WHICH REQUIRE OR AUTHORIZE THE INDIVIDUAL TO FORMULATE, DETERMINE, OR INFLUENCE THE POLICIES OF THE AGENCY(.) /3/ IN PERTINENT PART, SECTION 7103(A)(10) OF THE STATUTE DEFINES "SUPERVISOR" AS: . . . AN INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYED BY AN AGENCY HAVING AUTHORITY IN THE INTEREST OF THE AGENCY TO HIRE, DIRECT, ASSIGN, PROMOTE, REWARD, TRANSFER, FURLOUGH, LAYOFF, RECALL, SUSPEND, DISCIPLINE, OR REMOVE EMPLOYEES, TO ADJUST THEIR GRIEVANCES, OR TO EFFECTIVELY RECOMMEND SUCH ACTION, IF THE EXERCISE OF THE AUTHORITY IS NOT MERELY ROUTINE OR CLERICAL IN NATURE BUT REQUIRE THE CONSISTENT EXERCISE OF INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT(.) /4/ IN ADDITION TO THE POSITION OF ELECTRONIC MECHANIC (TELEPHONE), WG-13, F3129, IN THE ROSLYN UNIT WHICH IS SEPARATELY DISCUSSED INFRA, THE SMALL SHOP CHIEF POSITIONS IN ISSUE, 28 IN NUMBER, ARE AS FOLLOWS: IN THE SYRACUSE UNIT, ELECTRONIC MECHANIC (RADIO), WG-14, F3071, AUTO MECHANIC, WG-12, F4724, AIRCRAFT REFUELING VEHICLE OPERATOR, WG-09, F6417, FABRIC WORKER, WG-11, F9214, AIRCRAFT ELECTRONIC WG-11, F4538100, AIRCRAFT PNEUDRALIC SYSTEMS MECHANIC, WG-11, F4541100, ELECTRONIC MECHANIC (POWER) WG-14, F3079, AIRCRAFT ORDINANCE SYSTEMS MECHANIC, WG-11, F4544100, ELECTRONIC MECHANIC, WG-12, F4567, NDI TESTER, WG-11, F5316100. IN THE NIAGARA FALLS UNIT, AIRCRAFT REFUELING VEHICLE OPERATOR, WG-09, F6417, ELECTRONIC MECHANIC (FLT WIM), WG-13, F3415100, AIRCRAFT ELECTRONIC, WG-11, F4538100, EXPLOSIVE ORDINANCE TECHNICIAN, WG-12, F4579. IN THE ROSLYN UNIT, POWERED SUPPORT SYSTEMS MECHANIC, WG-12, F4249, AUTO MECHANIC, WG-12, F4735. IN THE SCHENECTADY UNIT, INSTRUMENT MECHANIC, WG-12, F4492, FABRIC WORKER, WG-11, F9214, PNEUDRALIC SYSTEMS MECHANIC, WG-11, F4535100, AIRCRAFT ELECTRONIC, WG-11, F4538100, AIRCRAFT REFUELING VEHICLE OPERATOR, WG-09, F6417, AIRCRAFT PROPELLER MECHANIC, WG-11, F4391, ELECTRONIC MECHANIC, WG-12, F4499000. IN THE SUFFOLK UNIT, INSTRUMENT MECHANIC, WG-12, F4492, AIRCRAFT REFUELING VEHICLE OPERATOR, WG-09, F6417, FABRIC WORKER, WG-11, F9214, AIRCRAFT PROPELLER MECHANIC, WG-11, F4391. /5/ SECTION 7103(A)(2) PROVIDES, IN PERTINENT PART: (A) FOR THE PURPOSE OF THIS CHAPTER-- * * * * (2) 'EMPLOYEE' MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL-- (A) EMPLOYED IN AN AGENCY; . . . BUT DOES NOT INCLUDE-- * * * * (II) A MEMBER OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES(.) /6/ SEE, NORTH CAROLINA AIR NATIONAL GUARD, CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA, 4 FLRA NO. 44(1980), WHICH AROSE UNDER THE PROVISIONS OF THE EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED, BUT WHICH DISCUSSED THE APPLICATION OF THE PROVISIONS OF THE STATUTE TO THE QUESTION OF SUPERVISORY STATUS OF THOSE WHO EXERCISE SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY OVER MEMBERS OF THE UNIFORMED SERVICES. SEE ALSO, THE ADJUTANT GENERAL, DELAWARE NATIONAL GUARD 9 FLRA NO. 1(1982).