[ v09 p779 ]
09:0779(98)CA
The decision of the Authority follows:
9 FLRA No. 98 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE, REGION IX CHICAGO, ILLINOIS Respondent and NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION Charging Party Case Nos. 5-CA-1033 5-CA-1183 DECISION AND ORDER THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR'S "ORDER TRANSFERRING CASE TO THE AUTHORITY" IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2429.1 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS. UPON CONSIDERATION OF THE ENTIRE RECORD IN THESE CONSOLIDATED CASES, INCLUDING THE PARTIES' STIPULATION OF FACTS, THE AUTHORITY FINDS: THE COMPLAINT IN CASE NO. 5-CA-1033 ALLEGES THAT THE RESPONDENT VIOLATED SECTION 7116(A)(1), (5) AND (8) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (THE STATUTE) BY ITS REFUSAL TO REIMBURSE EMPLOYEES JOHN SCHMAL, JAMES SWADER AND ARMAND KELZENBERG FOR TRAVEL AND PER DIEM EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH REPRESENTING THE UNION IN NEGOTIATIONS OF A LOCAL AGREEMENT TO SUPPLEMENT A MASTER AGREEMENT CONDUCTED ON OCTOBER 14 AND 15 AND NOVEMBER 12, 13 AND 14, 1980; JAMES SWADER AND ARMAND KELZENBERG FOR TRAVEL AND PER DIEM EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH REPRESENTING THE UNION IN IMPACT BARGAINING CONDUCTED ON FEBRUARY 9, 10, 11 AND 12, 1981 AND FEBRUARY 25 AND 26, 1981; AND JAMES BYRON FOR TRAVEL AND PER DIEM EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH REPRESENTING THE UNION IN NEGOTIATIONS OF A LOCAL AGREEMENT TO SUPPLEMENT A MASTER AGREEMENT CONDUCTED ON NOVEMBER 12, 13 AND 14, 1980. THE COMPLAINT IN CASE NO. 5-CA-1183 ALLEGES THAT THE RESPONDENT VIOLATED SECTION 7116(A)(1), (5) AND (8) OF THE STATUTE BY ITS REFUSAL TO REIMBURSE EMPLOYEE JAMES SWADER FOR TRAVEL AND PER DIEM EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH REPRESENTING THE UNION IN NEGOTIATIONS OF A LOCAL AGREEMENT TO SUPPLEMENT A MASTER AGREEMENT CONDUCTED ON DECEMBER 8, 9 AND 10, 1980. SPECIFICALLY, THE RESPONDENT'S CONDUCT, AS NOTED ABOVE, IS ALLEGED TO CONSTITUTE A FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 7131(A) OF THE STATUTE IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 7116(A)(1) AND (8) AND TO CONSTITUTE A PATENT BREACH OF THE PARTIES' NEGOTIATED AGREEMENT IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 7116(A)(1) AND (5) OF THE STATUTE. SUBSEQUENT TO THE ISSUANCE OF THE COMPLAINTS HEREIN, THE AUTHORITY ISSUED INTERPRETATION AND GUIDANCE, 7 FLRA NO. 105(1982), IN WHICH THE AUTHORITY HELD THAT SECTION 7131(A) OF THE STATUTE /1/ WHICH AUTHORIZES OFFICIAL TIME TO EMPLOYEES REPRESENTING AN EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE NEGOTIATION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AN EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE NEGOTIATION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT DOES NOT APPLY TO THE NEGOTIATION OF A LOCAL AGREEMENT WHICH SUPPLEMENTS A NATIONAL OR CONTROLLING (MASTER) AGREEMENT. BASED ON THAT INTERPRETATION AND GUIDANCE, THE RESPONDENT FILED A MOTION TO DISMISS IN ITS ENTIRETY THE COMPLAINT IN CASE NO. 5-CA-1183 (THE ALLEGATIONS OF WHICH RELATE SOLELY TO SUPPLEMENTAL BARGAINING) AND THOSE ALLEGATIONS OF THE COMPLAINT IN CASE NO. 5-CA-1033 WHICH RELATE SOLELY TO SUPPLEMENT BARGAINING. THE GENERAL COUNSEL SPECIFICALLY DOES NOT OPPOSE THE RESPONDENT'S MOTION. THE AUTHORITY HEREBY GRANTS THE RESPONDENT'S MOTION TO DISMISS THE COMPLAINT IN CASE NO. 5-CA-1183 AND THOSE ALLEGATIONS OF THE COMPLAINT IN CASE NO. 5-CA-1033 WHICH RELATE SOLELY TO SUPPLEMENTAL BARGAINING FOR THE REASONS MORE FULLY STATED IN INTERPRETATION AND GUIDANCE. /2/ WITH RESPECT TO THOSE ALLEGATIONS OF THE COMPLAINT IN CASE NO. 5-CA-1033 WHICH ARE RELATED SOLELY TO IMPACT BARGAINING, THE FACTS AND POSITIONS OF THE PARTIES ARE SUBSTANTIALLY IDENTICAL TO THOSE INVOLVED IN BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS, WESTERN REGION, DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA, 4 FLRA NO. 40(1980), ENFORCED SUB NOM. BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS V. FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY, 672 F.2D 732 (9TH CIR. 1982). THUS, FOR THE REASONS FULLY STATED IN BUREAU OF ALCOHOL, TOBACCO AND FIREARMS, THE AUTHORITY FINDS THAT THE RESPONDENT HEREIN HAS FAILED AND REFUSED TO COMPLY WITH SECTION 7131(A) OF THE STATUTE AND THEREFORE HAS VIOLATED SECTION 7116(A)(1) AND (8) OF THE STATUTE. /3/ ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTION 2423.29 OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS AND SECTION 7118 OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE, THE AUTHORITY HEREBY ORDERS THAT THE DEPARTMENT OF THE TREASURY, U.S. CUSTOMS SERVICE, REGION IX, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, SHALL: 1. CEASE AND DESIST FROM: (A) FAILING AND REFUSING TO PROVIDE TRAVEL AND PER DIEM EXPENSES TO EMPLOYEES JAMES SWADER AND ARMAND KELZENBERG INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR PARTICIPATION ON OFFICIAL TIME, PURSUANT TO SECTION 7131(A) OF THE STATUTE, AS DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION IN IMPACT BARGAINING. (B) IN ANY LIKE OR RELATED MANNER INTERFERING WITH, RESTRAINING, OR COERCING ITS EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS ASSURED BY THE STATUTE. 2. TAKE THE FOLLOWING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES AND POLICIES OF THE STATUTE: (A) REIMBURSE EMPLOYEES JAMES SWADER AND ARMAND KELZENBERG, BASED UPON THEIR PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED VOUCHERS, FOR TRAVEL AND PER DIEM EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR PARTICIPATION, PURSUANT TO SECTION 7131(A) OF THE STATUTE, AS DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION, THE EMPLOYEES' EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE, IN IMPACT BARGAINING. (B) POST AT ITS CHICAGO REGIONAL FACILITIES COPIES OF THE ATTACHED NOTICE ON FORMS TO BE FURNISHED BY THE AUTHORITY. UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH FORMS, THEY SHALL BE SIGNED BY THE REGIONAL COMMISSIONER AND SHALL BE POSTED AND MAINTAINED FOR 60 CONSECUTIVE DAYS THEREAFTER, IN CONSPICUOUS PLACES, INCLUDING ALL BULLETIN BOARDS AND OTHER PLACES WHERE NOTICES TO EMPLOYEES ARE CUSTOMARILY POSTED. THE COMMISSIONER SHALL TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO INSURE THAT SUCH NOTICES ARE NOT ALTERED, DEFACED, OR COVERED BY ANY OTHER MATERIAL. (C) PURSUANT TO SECTION 2423.30 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS, NOTIFY THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR, REGION V, 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. IT IS FURTHER ORDERED THAT THE COMPLAINT IN CASE NO. 5 CA-1183 AND THOSE ALLEGATIONS OF THE COMPLAINT IN CASE NO. 5-CA-1033 RELATED TO SUPPLEMENTAL BARGAINING AND PATENT BREACH, BE, AND THEY HEREBY ARE, DISMISSED IN THEIR ENTIRETY. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., AUGUST 4, 1982 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY NOTICE TO ALL 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 EMPLOYEES THAT: WE WILL NOT FAIL OR REFUSE TO PROVIDE TRAVEL AND PER DIEM EXPENSES TO EMPLOYEES JAMES SWADER AND ARMAND KELZENBERG INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR PARTICIPATION ON OFFICIAL TIME, PURSUANT TO SECTION 7131(A) OF THE STATUTE, AS DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION IN IMPACT BARGAINING. WE WILL NOT IN ANY LIKE OR RELATED MANNER INTERFERE WITH, RESTRAIN, OR COERCE OUR EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS ASSURED BY THE STATUTE. WE WILL REIMBURSE EMPLOYEES JAMES SWADER AND ARMAND KELZENBERG, BASED UPON THEIR PREVIOUSLY SUBMITTED VOUCHERS, FOR TRAVEL AND PER DIEM EXPENSES INCURRED IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR PARTICIPATION, PURSUANT TO SECTION 7131(A) OF THE STATUTE, AS DESIGNATED REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION, OUR EMPLOYEES' EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE, IN IMPACT BARGAINING. (AGENCY OR ACTIVITY) DATED: BY: (SIGNATURE) 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 ITS PROVISIONS, THEY MAY COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR, REGION V, FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY, WHOSE ADDRESS IS SUITE 1359-A, 175 W. JACKSON BLVD., CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60604, AND WHOSE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS: (312) 353-0139. --------------- FOOTNOTES$ --------------- /1/ SECTION 7131(A) STATES, IN RELEVANT PART, AS FOLLOWS: SEC. 7131. OFFICIAL TIME (A) ANY EMPLOYEE REPRESENTING AN EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE IN THE NEGOTIATION OF A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT UNDER THIS CHAPTER SHALL BE AUTHORIZED OFFICIAL TIME FOR SUCH PURPOSES, INCLUDING ATTENDANCE AT IMPASSE PROCEEDING, DURING THE TIME THE EMPLOYEE OTHERWISE WOULD BE IN A DUTY STATUS. /2/ IN GRANTING THE RESPONDENT'S MOTION, THE AUTHORITY NOTES WITH REGARD TO THE GENERAL COUNSEL'S PATENT BREACH ARGUMENT IN BOTH CASES THAT AS THE CONTRACT CLAUSES ALLEGEDLY BREACHED WERE TIMELY DISAPPROVED WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 7114(C) OF THE STATUTE BY "THE HEAD OF THE AGENCY," THE CLAUSES DID NOT GO INTO EFFECT WITH THE REST OF THE AGREEMENT AND MANAGEMENT WAS UNDER NO OBLIGATION TO HONOR THEM. /3/ FOR THE REASONS SET FORTH IN N. 2 THE AUTHORITY FINDS NO VIOLATION OF SECTION 7116(A)(5).