CBA Negotiation Update
A generally productive day back at the table… although not without its share of disagreements. The discussions started with identical language found in both team’s proposals, mainly in the requirements for job announcements section, and quickly yielded results with only minor details left. After those common sections were addressed, the management team suggested something of a Socratic method of review for the remaining parts (argument followed by questions), beginning with the Union’s proposal, which seemed agreeable. However, the early successes quickly turned into fundamental questions about competitive promotion practices…
At the heart of the discussion was what, exactly, would be included in the article on competitive advancement within the Agency. In particular, the Union proposed that reassignment be competitively selected. It was argued that current practice allowed management too much subjective freedom in allocating its workforce in the form of reassignments. Instead of simply selecting someone to move from one area to another, the Union contends that those openings should be announced to all employees, and those interested could then apply, with the best candidate being selected using normal procedures. Current practices allow for potential conflict of interest in selecting employees for reassignment by handpicking an employees, as opposed to selecting the best available candidate. The management team seemed open to our argument, but no resolution was made, suggesting both sides needed a chance to review the consequences and details of such a plan. We remain optimistic that ultimately some agreement will be made that reassignments will be made competitive under the CBA.
Additional sections were reviewed, also stumbling over a Union desire for increased transparency in the hiring process, however the meeting adjourned with the discussion incomplete. All in all, progress was made and the next negotiation session has been scheduled for May 26th and 27th. Bargaining Unit Employees are allowed to attend these negotiations and observe, but must be done on their own time (lunch break or annual leave).
Please let us know your opinions on these issues because the more guidance we receive from employees, the better the final agreement will work.
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