Federal Register: December 21, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 245)
DOCID: fr21de07-16 FR Doc E7-24846
FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY
Federal Labor Relations Authority
CFR Citation: 5 CFR Part 2423
NOTICE: PROPOSED RULES
DOCID: fr21de07-16
ACTION: Unfair labor practice proceedings:
DOCUMENT ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.
SUBJECT CATEGORY:
Unfair Labor Practice Proceedings
DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 22, 2008.
DOCUMENT SUMMARY:
The General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) proposes to revise portions of its regulations regarding unfair labor practice (ULP) proceedings (Part 2423, subpart A). The purpose of the proposed revisions is to clarify the Office of the General Counsel's (OGC) role during the investigatory stage of processing unfair labor practice charges consistent with the policies of the General Counsel, and to clarify certain administrative matters relating to the filing and investigation of ULP charges. Implementation of the proposed changes confirms and enhances the neutrality of the OGC before a ULP merit determination is made.
SUMMARY:
Office of General Counsel's role during investigatory stage,
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
The OGC of the FLRA proposes modifications to the existing rules and regulations in subpart A of title 5 of the Code of Federal Regulations regarding the processing and investigation of ULP charges.
Subpart A of the regulations has not been reexamined in its entirety since 1998, and before that since its enactment in 1980. The OGC has modified its policies, revising or rescinding many of the internal policies that were established prior to 1998 and which resulted in the 1998 regulatory changes. Accordingly, the General Counsel has proposed revisions to the regulations addressing the investigation and processing of ULP charges.
The proposed revisions clarify the neutral factfinding role of the OGC in the investigation of ULP charges. The proposed revisions continue to encourage parties involved in a ULP dispute to work collaboratively to resolve the dispute; however, consistent with the General Counsel's Settlement policy, the proposed revisions clarify that the OGC will not be involved in any way in resolving parties' disputes until after a determination has been made that a charge is meritorious. At that time, the OGC will aggressively use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes to resolve parties' ULP disputes and to avoid protracted litigation of ULP complaints.
Sectional Analyses
Sectional analyses of the revisions to Part 2423Unfair Labor Practice Proceedings are as follows:
Part 2423Unfair Labor Practice Proceedings
Section 2423.0
This part is applicable to any charge of an alleged ULP pending or filed with the Authority on or after February 1, 2008.
Subpart AFiling, Investigating, Resolving, and Acting on Charges Section 2423.1
The current section encourages parties to meet and resolve ULP
disputes prior to filing ULP charges. The proposed revision continues
to encourage parties to settle their ULP disputes, and clarifies that
the OGC will assist the parties in resolving their dispute only once a
decision has been made that the issuance of a ULP complaint is
warranted. The proposed revision promotes an understanding that the
parties to a ULP dispute are responsible for their relationship and the
resolution of their disputes. The proposed revision is intended to
preserve the neutrality of the OGC in the investigation and processing
of ULP charges, and incorporates the General Counsel's Settlement
Policy, which is set forth in its entirety on the FLRA's Web site at
http://www.FLRA.gov. Where the parties are unable to resolve their dispute on
their own and where a determination is made that the Federal Service
LaborManagement Relations Statute (Statute) has been violated, the OGCas set forth in other sections of the proposed revised
regulationswill actively work with the parties using ADR processes to
reach a satisfactory resolution that is consistent with the Statute and resolves the parties' ULP dispute.
Section 2423.2
The current section sets forth the specific ADR services that the OGC may provide. The parties are redirected to Sec. 2423.12, which sets forth the ADR services that the OGC may now provide consistent with the General Counsel's Settlement Policy.
Section 2423.3
This section, which identifies who may file a ULP charge, is unchanged.
Section 2423.4
This section, describing the content of a ULP charge, is substantially unchanged. The proposed revisions provide for the inclusion of email addresses for all of the parties.
The proposed revision also includes a subsection addressing when a
ULP charge must be filed and reiterates the statutory time limits for
the filing of a ULP charge set forth in 5 U.S.C. 7118(a)(4). Section 2423.5
This section, which is reserved, is unchanged.
Section 2423.6
The current section remains substantially unchanged. The proposed revisions address an issue previously not addressed in the regulations, and clarify that a charge received after the close of business will be deemed received and docketed the next business day.
The current section limited to two pages the number of pages that a party could fax to an OGC Regional Office when filing a charge. The proposed revision eliminates that limitation and returns it to the current limitation of 10 pages, consistent with 5 CFR Sec. 2429.24. Section 2423.7
The current section, which provides for alternative case processing,
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incorporates the internal OGC policies and procedures established under
the 1998 revisions. Consistent with current internal OGC policies and
procedures, this section is being eliminated. Under the proposed
revisions the parties to a ULP dispute are always encouraged to work
collaboratively to resolve their own dispute, taking a problemsolving
approach, rather than filing a ULP charge. Once a ULP charge is filed,
parties are also encouraged on their own to attempt to resolve their
dispute while the OGC conducts its investigation of the facts and determines the merits of the charge.
Section 2423.8
This section, which provides for the investigation of charges, is substantially unchanged. The proposed revisions clarify and confirm that all investigations conducted by the OGC are neutral and unbiased.
The revisions further clarify that the failure of a party to
cooperate during an investigation may result in a ULP charge being dismissed by the Regional Director.
Section 2423.9
This section is unchanged.
Section 2423.10
This section, which provides for the action by the Regional Director, remains substantially unchanged. The proposed revisions modify this section to be consistent with the other sections under this part that the Regional Director takes its action on behalf of the General Counsel. The proposed revision also modifies the wording to reflect action currently taken on a charge that is determined to be without merit, i.e., that the charge is dismissed.
Section 2423.11
The proposed revisions provide that all parties to a dispute will be advised of an OGC decision to dismiss a ULP charge upon completion of the investigation. This ensures that both parties to the dispute are apprised of the result of the investigation at the same time and maintains the neutrality of the OGC. The proposed revisions also incorporate the opportunity for a Charging Party to withdraw the charge prior to the issuance of the dismissal letter.
This section also rewords the grounds for appeal to include when a Regional Director's decision is based on an incorrect statement or application of the applicable rule of law, rather than only when a Regional Director's decision is based on an incorrect statement of the applicable rule of law.
Section 2423.12
This section, which provides for the settlement of ULP charges after a Regional Director's determination to issue a complaint, sets forth that the OGC will utilize ADR processes to assist the parties in resolving the ULP dispute and to avoid the cost of protracted litigation.
Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification
Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 U.S.C. 605(b), the General Counsel of the FLRA has determined that this regulation, as amended, will not have a significant impact on a substantial number of small entities, because this rule applies to Federal employees, Federal agencies, and labor organizations representing Federal employees.
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
This rule change will not result in the expenditure by State, local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private sector, of $100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded Mandates Reform act of 1995.
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996
This action is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United Statesbased companies to compete with foreignbased companies in domestic and export markets. Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995
The amended regulations contain no additional information collection or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.
List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 2423
Administrative practice and procedure, Government employees, Labor management relations.
For these reasons, the General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, proposes to amend 5 CFR part 2423 as follows: PART 2423UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE PROCEEDINGS
1. The authority citation for part 2423 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 7134.
2. Section 2423.0 and subpart A of part 2423 are revised to read as follows:
Sec. 2423.0 Applicability of this part.
Subpart AFiling, Investigating, Resolving, and Acting on Charges Sec.
2423.1 Resolution of unfair labor practice disputes prior to a
Regional Director determination whether to issue a complaint. 2423.2 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services.
2423.3 Who may file charges.
2423.4 Contents of the charge; supporting evidence and documents. 2423.5 [Reserved]
2423.6 Filing and service of copies.
2423.7 [Reserved]
2423.8 Investigation of charges.
2423.9 Amendment of charges.
2423.10 Action by the Regional Director.
2423.11 Determination not to issue complaint; review of action by the Regional Director.
2423.12 Settlement of unfair labor practice charges after a Regional
Director determination to issue a complaint but prior to issuance of a complaint.
2423.132423.19 [Reserved]
Sec. 2423.0 Applicability of this part.
This part is applicable to any charge of alleged unfair labor
practices pending or filed with the Authority on or after February 1, 2008, and any complaint filed on or after October 1, 1997.
Subpart AFiling, Investigating, Resolving, and Acting on Charges
Sec. 2423.1 Resolution of unfair labor practice disputes prior to a
Regional Director determination whether to issue a complaint.
The purposes and policies of the Federal Service LaborManagement
Relations Statute can best be achieved by the collaborative efforts of
all persons covered by that law. The General Counsel encourages all
persons on their own to meet, and in good faith, attempt to settle
unfair labor practice disputes. To maintain complete neutrality, the
General Counsel may not be involved with such settlement discussions
with the parties prior to a Regional Director determination on the
merits. Attempts by the parties to resolve unfair labor practice
disputes prior to filing an unfair labor practice charge do not toll
the time limitations for filing a charge set forth at 5 U.S.C. 7118(a)(4).
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Sec. 2423.2 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services.
The General Counsel provides ADR services under Sec. 2423.12(a)
after a Regional Director has determined to issue a complaint. Sec. 2423.3 Who may file charges.
(a) Filing charges. Any person may charge an activity, agency or
labor organization with having engaged in, or engaging in, any unfair labor practice prohibited under 5 U.S.C. 7116.
(b) Charging Party. Charging Party means the individual, labor
organization, activity or agency filing an unfair labor practice charge with a Regional Director.
(c) Charged Party. Charged Party means the activity, agency or
labor organization charged with allegedly having engaged in, or engaging in, an unfair labor practice.
Sec. 2423.4 Contents of the charge; supporting evidence and documents.
(a) What to file. The Charging Party may file a charge alleging a
violation of 5 U.S.C. 7116 by completing a form prescribed by the
General Counsel, or on a substantially similar form, that contains the following information:
(1) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number (where
facsimile equipment is available), and email address of the Charging Party;
(2) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number (where
facsimile equipment is available), and email address of the Charged Party;
(3) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number (where
facsimile equipment is available), and email address of the Charging Party's point of contact;
(4) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number (where
facsimile equipment is available), and email address of the Charged Party's point of contact;
(5) A clear and concise statement of the facts alleged to
constitute an unfair labor practice, a statement of how those facts
allegedly violate specific section(s) and paragraph(s) of the Federal
Service LaborManagement Relations Statute and the date and place of occurrence of the particular acts; and
(6) A statement whether the subject matter raised in the charge:
(i) Has been raised previously in a grievance procedure;
(ii) Has been referred to the Federal Service Impasses Panel, the
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, or the Office of the Special Counsel for consideration or action;
(iii) Involves a negotiability issue raised by the Charging Party
in a petition pending before the Authority pursuant to part 2424 of this subchapter; or
(iv) Has been the subject of any other administrative or judicial proceeding.
(7) A statement describing the result or status of any proceeding identified in paragraph (a)(6) of this section.
(b) When to file. Under 5 U.S.C. 7118 (a)(4), a charge alleging an
unfair labor practice must normally be filed within six (6) months of its occurrence.
(c) Declarations of truth and statement of service. A charge shall
be in writing and signed, and shall contain a declaration by the
individual signing the charge, under the penalties of the Criminal Code
(18 U.S.C. 1001), that its contents are true and correct to the best of that individual's knowledge and belief.
(d) Statement of service. A charge shall also contain a statement
that the Charging Party served the charge on the Charged Party, and
shall list the name, title and location of the individual served, and the method of service.
(e) Selfcontained document. A charge shall be a selfcontained
document describing the alleged unfair labor practice without a need to
refer to supporting evidence and documents submitted under paragraph (f) of this section.
(f) Submitting supporting evidence and documents and identifying
potential witnesses. When filing a charge, the Charging Party shall
submit to the Regional Director, any supporting evidence and documents,
including, but not limited to, correspondence and memoranda, records,
reports, applicable collective bargaining agreement clauses, memoranda
of understanding, minutes of meetings, applicable regulations,
statements of position and other documentary evidence. The Charging
Party also shall identify potential witnesses with contact information
(telephone number, email address, and facsimile number) and shall provide a brief synopsis of their expected testimony.
Sec. 2423.5 [Reserved]
Sec. 2423.6 Filing and service of copies.
(a) Where to file. A Charging Party shall file the charge with the
Regional Director for the region in which the alleged unfair labor
practice has occurred or is occurring. A charge alleging that an unfair
labor practice has occurred or is occurring in two or more regions may
be filed with the Regional Director in any of those regions.
(b) Filing date. A charge is deemed filed when it is received by a
Regional Director. A charge received in a Region after the close of the
business day will be deemed received and docketed on the next business
day. The business hours for each of the Regional Offices are set forth
at http://www.FLRA.gov.
(c) Method of filing. A Charging Party may file a charge with the
Regional Director in person or by commercial delivery, first class
mail, facsimile or certified mail. If filing by facsimile transmission,
the Charging Party is not required to file an original copy of the
charge with the Region. A Charging Party assumes responsibility for
receipt of a charge. Supporting evidence and documents must be
submitted to the Regional Director in person, by commercial delivery,
first class mail, certified mail, or by facsimile transmission. Charges shall not be filed by electronic mail.
(d) Service of the charge. The Charging Party shall serve a copy of
the charge (without supporting evidence and documents) on the Charged
Party. Where facsimile equipment is available, the charge may be served
by facsimile transmission in accordance with paragraph (c) of this section.
Sec. 2423.7 [Reserved]
Sec. 2423.8 Investigation of charges.
(a) Investigation. The Regional Director, on behalf of the General
Counsel, conducts an unbiased, neutral investigation of the charge as
the Regional Director deems necessary. During the course of the
investigation, all parties involved are afforded an opportunity to present their evidence and views to the Regional Director.
(b) Cooperation. The purposes and policies of the Federal Service
LaborManagement Relations Statute can best be achieved by the full
cooperation of all parties involved and the timely submission of all
potentially relevant information from all potential sources during the
course of the investigation. All persons shall cooperate fully with the
Regional Director in the investigation of charges. The failure of a
Charging Party to cooperate during an investigation may provide grounds
for a Regional Director to dismiss the charge for failure to produce evidence supporting the charge.
Cooperation includes any of the following actions, when deemed appropriate by the Regional Director:
(1) Making union officials, employees, and agency supervisors and
managers available to give sworn/affirmed testimony regarding matters under investigation;
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(2) Producing documentary evidence pertinent to the matters under investigation; and
(3) Providing statements of position on the matters under investigation.
(c) Investigatory subpoenas. If a person fails to cooperate with
the Regional Director in the investigation of a charge, the General
Counsel, upon recommendation of a Regional Director, may decide in
appropriate circumstances to issue a subpoena under 5 U.S.C. 7132 for
the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of
documentary or other evidence. However, no subpoena shall be issued
under this section which requires the disclosure of intramanagement
guidance, advice, counsel or training within an agency or between an agency and the Office of Personnel Management.
(1) A subpoena shall be served by any individual who is at least 18
years old and who is not a party to the proceeding. The individual who served the subpoena must certify that he or she did so:
(i) By delivering it to the witness in person;
(ii) By registered or certified mail; or
(iii) By delivering the subpoena to a responsible individual (named
in the document certifying the delivery) at the residence or place of
business (as appropriate) of the person for whom the subpoena was
intended. The subpoena shall show on its face the name and address of the Regional Director and the General Counsel.
(2) Any person served with a subpoena who does not intend to comply
shall, within 5 days after the date of service of the subpoena upon
such person, petition in writing to revoke the subpoena. A copy of any petition to revoke shall be served on the General Counsel.
(3) The General Counsel shall revoke the subpoena if the witness or
evidence, the production of which is required, is not material and
relevant to the matters under investigation or in question in the
proceedings, or the subpoena does not describe with sufficient
particularity the evidence the production of which is required, or if
for any other reason sufficient in law the subpoena is invalid. The
General Counsel shall state the procedural or other grounds for the
ruling on the petition to revoke. The petition to revoke, shall become
part of the official record if there is a hearing under subpart C of this part.
(4) Upon the failure of any person to comply with a subpoena issued
by the General Counsel, the General Counsel shall determine whether to
institute proceedings in the appropriate district court for the
enforcement of the subpoena. Enforcement shall not be sought if to do
so would be inconsistent with law, including the Federal Service Labor Management Relations Statute.
(d) Confidentiality. It is the General Counsel's policy to protect
the identity of individuals who submit statements and information
during the investigation, and to protect against the disclosure of
documents obtained during the investigation, as a means of ensuring the
General Counsel's continuing ability to obtain all relevant
information. After issuance of a complaint and in preparation for a
hearing, however, identification of witnesses, a synopsis of their
expected testimony and documents proposed to be offered into evidence
at the hearing may be disclosed as required by the prehearing disclosure requirements in Sec. 2423.23.
Sec. 2423.9 Amendment of charges.
Prior to the issuance of a complaint, the Charging Party may amend
the charge in accordance with the requirements set forth in Sec. 2423.6.
Sec. 2423.10 Action by the Regional Director.
(a) Regional Director action. The Regional Director, on behalf of
the General Counsel, may take any of the following actions, as appropriate:
(1) Approve a request to withdraw a charge;
(2) Dismiss a charge;
(3) Approve a written settlement agreement in accordance with the provisions of Sec. 2423.12;
(4) Issue a complaint; or
(5) Withdraw a complaint.
(b) Request for appropriate temporary relief. Parties may request
the General Counsel to seek appropriate temporary relief (including a
restraining order) under 5 U.S.C. 7123(d). The General Counsel may
initiate and prosecute injunctive proceedings under 5 U.S.C. 7123(d)
only upon approval of the Authority. A determination by the General
Counsel not to seek approval of the Authority to seek such appropriate
temporary relief is final and shall not be appealed to the Authority.
(c) General Counsel requests to the Authority. When a complaint
issues and the Authority approves the General Counsel's request to seek
appropriate temporary relief (including a restraining order) under 5
U.S.C. 7123(d), the General Counsel may make application for
appropriate temporary relief (including a restraining order) in the
district court of the United States within which the unfair labor
practice is alleged to have occurred or in which the party sought to be
enjoined resides or transacts business. Temporary relief may be sought
if it is just and proper and the record establishes probable cause that
an unfair labor practice is being committed. Temporary relief shall not
be sought if it would interfere with the ability of the agency to carry out its essential functions.
(d) Actions subsequent to obtaining appropriate temporary relief.
The General Counsel shall inform the district court which granted temporary relief pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 7123(d) whenever an
Administrative Law Judge recommends dismissal of the complaint, in whole or in part.
Sec. 2423.11 Determination not to issue complaint; review of action by the Regional Director.
(a) Opportunity to withdraw a charge. If, upon the completion of an
investigation under Sec. 2423.8, a decision has been made to dismiss
the charge, the Regional Director will notify the parties of the
decision and the Charging Party will be advised of an opportunity to withdraw the charge(s).
(b) Dismissal letter. If the Charging Party does not withdraw the
charge within a reasonable period of time, the Regional Director will,
on behalf of the General Counsel, dismiss the charge and provide the
parties with a written statement of the reasons for not issuing a complaint.
(c) Appeal of a dismissal letter. The Charging Party may obtain
review of the Regional Director's decision not to issue a complaint by
filing an appeal with the General Counsel within 25 days after service
of the Regional Director's decision. A Charging Party shall serve a
copy of the appeal on the Regional Director. The General Counsel shall
serve notice on the Charged Party that an appeal has been filed.
(d) Extension of time. The Charging Party may file a request, in
writing, for an extension of time to file an appeal, which shall be
received by the General Counsel not later than 5 days before the date
the appeal is due. A Charging Party shall serve a copy of the request for an extension of time on the Regional Director.
(e) Grounds for granting an appeal. The General Counsel may grant
an appeal when the appeal establishes at least one of the following grounds:
(1) The Regional Director's decision did not consider material facts that would have resulted in issuance of a complaint;
(2) The Regional Director's decision is based on a finding of a material fact that is clearly erroneous;
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(3) The Regional Director's decision is based on an incorrect statement or application of the applicable rule of law;
(4) There is no Authority precedent on the legal issue in the case; or
(5) The manner in which the Region conducted the investigation has resulted in prejudicial error.
(f) General Counsel action. The General Counsel may deny the appeal
of the Regional Director's dismissal of the charge, or may grant the
appeal and remand the case to the Regional Director to take further
action. The General Counsel's decision on the appeal states the grounds
listed in paragraph (e) of this section for denying or granting the
appeal, and is served on all the parties. Absent a timely motion for
reconsideration, the decision of the General Counsel is final.
(g) Reconsideration. After the General Counsel issues a final
decision, the Charging Party may move for reconsideration of the final
decision if it can establish extraordinary circumstances in its moving
papers. The motion shall be filed within 10 days after the date on
which the General Counsel's final decision is postmarked. A motion for
reconsideration shall state with particularity the extraordinary
circumstances claimed and shall be supported by appropriate citations.
The decision of the General Counsel on a motion for reconsideration is final.
Sec. 2423.12 Settlement of unfair labor practice charges after a
Regional Director determination to issue a complaint but prior to issuance of a complaint.
(a) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). After a merit
determination to issue a complaint, the Regional Director will work
with the parties to settle the dispute using ADR, to avoid costly and protracted litigation.
(b) Bilateral informal settlement agreement. Prior to issuing a
complaint but after a merit determination by the Regional Director, the
Regional Director may afford the Charging Party and the Charged Party a
reasonable period of time to enter into an informal settlement
agreement to be approved by the Regional Director. When a Charged Party
complies with the terms of an informal settlement agreement approved by
the Regional Director, no further action is taken in the case. If the
Charged Party fails to perform its obligations under the approved
informal settlement agreement, the Regional Director may institute further proceedings.
(c) Unilateral informal settlement agreement. If the Charging Party
elects not to become a party to a bilateral settlement agreement which
the Regional Director concludes effectuates the policies of the Federal
Service LaborManagement Relations Statute, the Regional Director may
choose to approve a unilateral settlement between the General Counsel
and the Charged Party. The Regional Director, on behalf of the General
Counsel, shall issue a letter stating the grounds for approving the
settlement agreement and declining to issue a complaint. The Charging
Party may obtain review of the Regional Director's action by filing an
appeal with the General Counsel in accordance with Sec. 2423.11(c) and
(d). The General Counsel shall take action on the appeal as set forth in Sec. 2423.11(e)(g).
Sec. Sec. 2423.132423.19 [Reserved]
Dated: December 18, 2007.
Colleen Duffy Kiko,
General Counsel, Federal Labor Relations Authority.
[FR Doc. E724846 Filed 122007; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 672701P
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT
Jill Crumpacker, Executive Director, at jcrumpacker@flra.gov.