[ v10 p489 ]
10:0489(81)NG
The decision of the Authority follows:
10 FLRA No. 81 AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, LOCAL 1760 Union and DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION Agency Case No. O-NG-530 ORDER DISMISSING PETITION FOR REVIEW THIS CASE COMES BEFORE THE AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO SECTION 7105(A)(2)(E) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (THE STATUTE). FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THE UNION'S PETITION FOR REVIEW MUST BE DISMISSED. THE RECORD REVEALS THAT THE UNION SUBMITTED TO THE AGENCY A GROUP OF PROPOSALS CONCERNING INSTALLATION OF A UNION BULLETIN BOARD AND PROVISION OF AN OFFICE, FACILITIES, AND FURNITURE TO A UNION VICE PRESIDENT. IN RESPONSE, THE AGENCY DECLARED THAT THE PROPOSALS "ARE NOT PRESENTLY APPROPRIATE FOR NEGOTIATION AT THE REGIONAL LEVEL" BECAUSE THE SUBJECT MATTER OF THE PROPOSALS WAS INCLUDED IN ARTICLES UNDER NEGOTIATION AT THE NATIONAL LEVEL FOR A MASTER AGREEMENT. THUS THE DISPUTE BETWEEN THE PARTIES IN THIS CASE IS NOT OVER THE NEGOTIABILITY OF THE PROPOSALS, BUT RATHER CONCERNS WHETHER UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES THE AGENCY IS OBLIGATED TO BARGAIN ON SUBJECTS WHICH ARE ALSO BEING NEGOTIATED AT A HIGHER LEVEL. THIS SITUATION DOES NOT GIVE RISE TO A NEGOTIABILITY ISSUE WHICH MAY BE RESOLVED PURSUANT TO SECTION 7117 OF THE STATUTE. THE DISPUTE HEREIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROCESSED EITHER THROUGH THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE PROCEDURES OF THE STATUTE OR THROUGH WHATEVER MECHANISMS MAY HAVE BEEN ESTABLISHED BY THE PARTIES TO HANDLE SUCH DISPUTES. SEE NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION AND NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION, CHAPTER 71 AND INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, PHILADELPHIA SERVICE CENTER, PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, 4 FLRA NO. 103(1980). ACCORDINGLY, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2424.10 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS, IT IS ORDERED THAT THE UNION'S PETITION FOR REVIEW BE, AND IT HEREBY IS, DISMISSED. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., NOVEMBER 18, 1982 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY