The Defense Department, the Office of Personnel and
Management and labor unions have concluded a series of
meetings concerning labor relations under the National
Security Personnel System.
The talks, mediated by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation
Service, helped set up a new collective bargaining system
between DoD and federal unions calling for bargaining at
the national level without eliminating local bargaining
units.
DoD says the current model for collective bargaining
diverts resources because it is fragmented among 1,400
local units.
A formal proposal will be released to unions in April to
begin a congressionally mandated 90-day collaboration
process.
The talks follow criticism from unions that the NSPS
eliminates employee rights and protections. Unions continue
to voice concern over the proposed rules.
