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42:0730(49)NG - - NAGE, Federal Union of Scientists and Engineers, Local R1-144 and Navy, Naval Underwater Systems Center, Newport, RI - - 1991 FLRAdec NG - - v42 p730



[ v42 p730 ]
42:0730(49)NG
The decision of the Authority follows:


42 FLRA No. 49

FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

FEDERAL UNION OF SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS

LOCAL R1-144

(Union)

and

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY

NAVAL UNDERWATER SYSTEM CENTER

NEWPORT, RHODE ISLAND

(Agency)

0-NG-1796

DECISION AND ORDER ON NEGOTIABILITY ISSUES

September 30, 1991

Before Chairman McKee and Members Talkin and Armendariz.

I. Statement of the Case

This case is before the Authority on a negotiability appeal filed under section 7105(a)(2)(E) of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (the Statute), and concerns the negotiability of eleven proposals regarding drug testing.

Proposal 1 permits employees who believe that their constitutional rights are being violated to refuse to enter or remain in testing designated positions (TDPs) and requires management to provide those employees with an opportunity to transfer from TDPs to non-TDPs. We find that the proposal is nonnegotiable because it excessively interferes with management's rights to assign employees under section 7106(a)(2)(A) and to select candidates from any appropriate source to fill a vacant position under section 7106(a)(2)(C) of the Statute.

Proposal 2 requires the Agency, at the request of employees who believe that their constitutional rights are being violated by the imposition of the Agency's drug testing program, to reduce the security clearances of those employees to a level just below the level of the TDPs to which they have been assigned. Proposal 2 excessively interferes with management's rights to assign employees to positions under section 7106(a)(2)(A) and to fill positions by selecting candidates from any appropriate source under section 7106(a)(2)(C) of the Statute and, therefore, is nonnegotiable.

Proposal 3 provides that if an employee has been randomly tested, that employee's name would be removed from the group of employees subject to random testing for 1 year or until the pool of employees in TDPs is exhausted. We find that the proposal is nonnegotiable because it directly interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute.

Proposal 4 applies to contract employees who work with Agency employees in TDPs and who perform the same or similar work as the employees in TDPs. The proposal requires such contract employees to be subjected to drug testing procedures similar to those used by the Agency. We find that Proposal 4 does not concern a condition of employment and, therefore, is nonnegotiable.

The first sentence of Proposal 5 provides that if an employee being tested is not able to provide a sample during the shift, the employee will not be required to remain after the shift to provide a sample. We find that the first sentence of Proposal 5 is inconsistent with the final Mandatory Guidelines for Federal Workplace Drug Testing issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), 53 Fed. Reg. 11979-89 (1988) (final Guidelines), which are Government-wide regulations. Therefore, the first sentence of Proposal 5 is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute.

The second sentence of Proposal 5 provides that employees being tested shall not be denied their normal lunch routine. We find that the second sentence of Proposal 5 is negotiable.

The first sentence of Proposal 6 allows employees a choice of overtime or compensatory time if they are kept beyond scheduled work hours. We find that this sentence is negotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute because it is consistent with applicable Government-wide regulations.

The second sentence of Proposal 6 requires the Agency to provide transportation for employees from work to home if drug tests require them to remain beyond their scheduled work hours. This sentence conflicts with 41 C.F.R. § 301-2.3(e), a Government-wide regulation and, therefore, is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute.

The third sentence of Proposal 6 provides that employees undergoing non-random drug testing shall not be denied their normal lunch routine. This sentence is negotiable.

Proposal 7 provides that an employee may wash all containers and lids used in the collection process of the employee's urine sample. Proposal 7 is inconsistent with the final Guidelines and, therefore, is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute.

Proposal 8 precludes management from frisking or searching employees as a part of the specimen collection process. Proposal 8 is negotiable as an appropriate arrangement under section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute.

Proposal 9 requires the Agency to assign only official observers to observe the collection process. We find that Proposal 9 is negotiable.

Proposals 10 and 11 require the Agency to provide training in the drug testing program to Union representatives and to unit employees. We conclude that Proposals 10 and 11 are negotiable.

II. Proposal 1

Employees who believe their constitutional rights are being violated may refuse to enter/remain in positions designated as Testing Designated Positions (TDP's). Such employee will be provided an opportunity to transfer to equivalent non-TDP positions.

A. Positions of the Parties

1. Agency

The Agency interprets Proposal 1 as requiring management to reassign employees who object to drug testing to positions that do not require drug testing. The Agency contends that the proposal directly interferes with management's rights to assign employees under section 7106(a)(A) and to select employees for appointment to positions under section 7106(a)(2)(C) of the Statue. The Agency also contends that the proposal is not an appropriate arrangement under section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute. The Agency relies on National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 178 and U.S. Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Installation Support Activity, 31 FLRA 226 (1988) (Aberdeen I) and National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 2058 and U.S. Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Installation Support Activity, 31 FLRA 241 (1988) (Aberdeen II) in support of its contentions.

2. Union

The Union explains that Proposal 1 is intended "to ensure that drug testing be performed in compliance with relevant statutory and constitutional law." Union Response at 1. The Union contends that proposals requiring that selection of employees for drug testing be made in accordance with law are negotiable. The Union explains that the proposal would allow employees to transfer from a TDP to a non-testing designated position as a remedy for a constitutional violation. The Union claims that the proposed remedy constitutes an appropriate arrangement under section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute.

The Union states that the portion of the proposal that conditions a reassignment on employees' "belief" that their constitutional rights have been violated is the result of "poor draftsmanship." Id. at 1-2. The Union contends that the intent of the proposal is to require a transfer "only if the employee files an actual claim with the appropriate authority or court alleging that a constitutional violation does exist." Id. at 3. The Union states that the proposal would establish a "contractual Temporary Restraining Order Procedure[.]" Id.

B. Analysis and Conclusions

Proposal 1 permits employees to refuse to enter or remain in TDPs and requires management to provide those employees with an opportunity to transfer from TDPs to non-TDPs when those employees "believe" that their constitutional rights are being violated. By its terms, the proposal conditions the right of an employee to transfer on the employee's belief as to a constitutional violation of his or her rights, not on the fact that an employee filed a complaint in court or with another appropriate authority alleging a constitutional violation. Consequently, the Union's explanation of the proposal is inconsistent with the plain wording of that proposal. We will not adopt an explanation of a proposal that is inconsistent with the plain wording of that proposal. See National Association of Government Employees, Local R14-5 and Pueblo Depot Activity, Pueblo, Colorado, 31 FLRA 62, 67 (1988) (Pueblo Depot Activity). We interpret Proposal 1, therefore, as allowing employees to refuse to enter or remain in TDPs and requiring management to provide employees who refuse to be in TDPs an opportunity to transfer to non-TDPs when those employees believe that their constitutional rights are being violated as a result of the fact that they are subject to drug testing. Interpreted in this manner, we find that the proposal is nonnegotiable.

Proposals that require management, when an employee objects to drug testing, to grant the request of that employee for reassignment to a position that does not involve drug testing directly interfere with management's rights to assign employees under section 7106(a)(2)(A) and to select from any appropriate source to fill a vacant position under section 7106(a)(2)(C) of the Statute. See Aberdeen I, 31 FLRA at 231-33; Aberdeen II, 31 FLRA at 247-48. Proposal 1 is substantively similar to the proposals in Aberdeen I and Aberdeen II.

Proposal 1 requires management to grant employees an "opportunity" to transfer to equivalent non-TDPs when they object to entering or remaining in a TDP. By use of the term "opportunity," we interpret Proposal 1 to mean that if the position offered was acceptable to the employee, management would be required, as in Aberdeen I and Aberdeen II, to reassign the employee to that position. Consequently, consistent with Aberdeen I and Aberdeen II, we find that, by requiring a reassignment, Proposal 1 directly interferes with management's rights to assign employees to positions under section 7106(a)(2)(A) and to select candidates from any appropriate source to fill vacant positions under section 7106(a)(2)(C) of the Statute.

As Proposal 1 directly interferes with management's right to assign employees to positions under section 7106(a)(2)(A) and to select candidates from any appropriate source to fill vacant positions under section 7106(a)(2)(C), it is nonnegotiable unless, as claimed by the Union, it constitutes an appropriate arrangement within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute. To determine whether the proposal constitutes an appropriate arrangement we must determine whether the proposal is: (1) intended to be an arrangement for employees who are adversely affected by the exercise of a management right; and (2) appropriate because it does not excessively interfere with the exercise of a management right. See National Association of Government Employees, Local R14-87 and Kansas Army National Guard, 21 FLRA 24 (1986) (Kansas Army National Guard).

The proposals in Aberdeen I and Aberdeen II required management to grant employee requests for lateral reassignment to positions that were not subject to drug testing. The Authority determined that those proposals did not constitute arrangements for employees adversely affected by the exercise of a management right within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3) because the event that triggered the agency's obligations under the proposals was not the imposition of drug testing, but the employees' objections to being tested. Upon further consideration, we conclude that the Authority's determinations that the proposals in Aberdeen I and Aberdeen II did not constitute arrangements were based on a misreading of the meaning and effect of the proposals in those cases. We will no longer follow those decisions to the extent that they hold that proposals like those in Aberdeen I and Aberdeen II do not constitute arrangements within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3).

Specifically, the decisions in Aberdeen I and Aberdeen II are premised on the finding that the proposals were "an effort to require the [a]gency to accommodate employees' personal preferences" and the conclusion that "[t]he adverse effects which the proposal[s] [attempted] to ameliorate are those which stem from a choice made totally and completely by the employee, not directly from the exercise of the management right to require drug testing." Aberdeen I at 233. The Authority has consistently emphasized, however, that the imposition of drug testing could adversely affect employees because an employee whose urine specimen tests positive would be subject to certain personnel actions and those actions could affect the employee's reputation and future employment. See National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 15 and Department of the Army, U.S. Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command, Rock Island, Illinois, 30 FLRA 1046, 1064 (1988) (Rock Island I), remanded sub nom. Department of the Army, U.S. Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command, Rock Island, Illinois v. FLRA, No. 88-1239 (D.C. Cir. May 25, 1988) (Order), decision on remand, 33 FLRA 436 (1988) (Rock Island II), rev'd in part and remanded as to other matters sub nom. Department of the Army, U.S. Army Aberdeen Proving Ground Installation Support Activity v. FLRA, 890 F.2d 467 (D.C. Cir. 1989) (Aberdeen Proving Ground), decision on remand, 35 FLRA 936 (1990) (Rock Island III); American Federation of Government Employees, Department of Education Council of AFGE Locals and U.S. Department of Education, Washington, D.C., 38 FLRA 1068, 1077-78 (1990) (Department of Education), reconsideration denied, 39 FLRA 1241 (1991), petition for review filed sub nom. United States Department of Education v. FLRA, No. 91-1219 (D.C. Cir. May 10, 1991). We also recognize that the imposition of drug testing may adversely affect employees' personal privacy. See Department of Education, 38 FLRA at 1094-95. See also National Treasury Employees Union v. von Raab, 109 S. Ct. 1384, 1390 (1989); Section 4(c) of Executive Order No. 12564.

By its terms, Proposal 1 attempts to mitigate the adverse effects of the imposition of drug testing by affording employees the opportunity to transfer out of TDPs. We find, therefore, that because Proposal 1 is intended to prevent employees from being adversely affected by being subjected to the Agency's drug testing program, it is an arrangement for employees adversely affected by the exercise of a management right within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute. We note, in this connection, that because the proposals in Aberdeen I and Aberdeen II were interpreted as being intended to accommodate employees' objections to drug testing, the adverse effects of the imposition of drug testing were not considered. In the future, where section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute is at issue, we will consider proposals having the same substantive effect as the proposals in Aberdeen I and Aberdeen II to be proposed arrangements for employees adversely affected by the exercise of management's right under section 7106(a)(1) to determine its internal security practices through the imposition of drug testing.

The question thus becomes whether Proposal 1 is an appropriate arrangement within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute or whether it excessively interferes with management's rights. In order to determine whether a proposal excessively interferes with a management right, we balance the competing practical needs of employees and managers as they are affected by the proposal. Kansas Army National Guard, 21 FLRA at 31-32. We find that Proposal 1 is not an appropriate arrangement.

Proposal 1 allows employees to refuse, on constitutional grounds, to enter or remain in a TDP and obligates the Agency to provide those employees with the opportunity for reassignment to an equivalent non-TDP. The proposal clearly benefits employees who believe that their constitutional rights are being violated by affording them an opportunity to become exempt from the drug testing program. However, based on our interpretation of the proposal as set forth above, that benefit is obtained by requiring management to reassign those employees to "equivalent" non-TDPs. The proposal, therefore, precludes management from placing or retaining in a TDP an employee who believes that his or her constitutional rights are being violated and from selecting the person who would fill a non-TDP because management would be required to fill that position by reassignment of such an employee, regardless of qualifications or, for example, considerations of workload.

We recognize that employees' personal convictions are important to them. On the other hand, if management were required, without exception, to accommodate employees' personal beliefs in determining assignments to positions, the effective and efficient operation of the Agency could be severely handicapped. In our view, the proposal imposes a significant and overly restrictive burden on management's ability to allocate its personnel resources. We find, therefore, that Proposal 1 excessively interferes with management's rights to assign employees to positions and to fill positions by selecting from any appropriate source. Therefore, the proposal is not an appropriate arrangement under section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute and is nonnegotiable.

III. Proposal 2

Employees who believe their constitutional rights are being violated may voluntarily have their security clearance reduced to a level just below that required to be in the TDP group.

A. Positions of the Parties

1. Agency

The Agency interprets the proposal as requiring management "to redetermine (so as to reduce) security clearances assigned to employees who object to being in random testing designated positions . . . and, consequently[,] to reassign that work which can no longer be performed by these employees to other employees and to reassign these employees to positions outside the TDP group or, in the alternative, to reduce the security clearance assigned to an employee and allow the employee to remain in the established position." Agency Statement at 2. The Agency contends that the proposal directly interferes with management's rights to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1), to assign work under section 7106(a)(2)(B), and to assign employees under section 7106(a)(2)(A) of the Statute.

Specifically, the Agency asserts that the establishment of a drug testing program constitutes an exercise of management's right to determine its internal security practices. Citing Secretary of the Navy Instruction (SECNAVINST) 12792.3, "Department of the Navy Drug-Free Workplace Program," the Agency contends that one purpose of the drug testing program is to ensure that employees who are entrusted with national defense secrets "are free of the possibility of coercion or influence of criminal elements." Id. at 3. According to the Agency, the use of illegal drugs by personnel in sensitive or critical positions could "expose extremely sensitive intelligence information." Id. The Agency concludes that, by requiring management to reduce the security clearance of an employee in a TDP, the proposal would preclude the Agency from randomly testing the employee and would thereby directly interfere with management's right to determine its internal security practices.

In addition, the Agency asserts that because the proposal would require management to reassign employees to non-TDPs after their security clearance is reduced, the proposal directly interferes with management's right to assign employees under section 7106(a)(2)(A) of the Statute. Moreover, because employees in TDPs whose security clearances have been reduced would no longer be able to perform the work of those positions, the Agency claims that management would be required to reassign the work of those positions. The Agency asserts, therefore, that the proposal directly interferes with management's right to assign work under section 7106(a)(2)(B).

The Agency also contends that the proposal is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute because it is "inconsistent with national security law." Agency Statement at 2. Citing Department of the Navy v. Egan, 108 S. Ct. 818 (1988) (Egan), the Agency contends that no employee has a right to a security clearance and, therefore, no employee should have a right to have his or her clearance reduced. The Agency argues that management has broad discretion to protect classified information and that its discretion "includes the determination of who has access to [that information] and any modifications to access." Id. at 5. The Agency concludes that, because the proposal is inconsistent with these principles of national security law, the proposal is inconsistent with law within the meaning of section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute.

2. Union

The Union explains that Proposal 2, like Proposal 1, is intended "to ensure that no procedure involved in drug testing TDP's is in violation of constitutional or statutory law." Union Response at 2. According to the Union, the proposal allows "a remedy of reduction of security clearance below that required of a TDP if an actual constitutional violation exists." Id. The Union contends that the remedy afforded by the proposal constitutes an appropriate arrangement under section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute. The Union notes that while the proposal "appears to require only a subjective standard" of employee "belief" that a constitutional violation exists, the "actual intent" of the proposal is to require a reduction in security clearance and a transfer "only if the employee files an actual claim with the appropriate authority or court alleging that a constitutional violation does exist." Id. at 2, 3. The Union states that the proposal would establish a "contractual Temporary Restraining Order Procedure[.]" Id. at 3.

B. Analysis and Conclusions

By its terms, Proposal 2 would require the Agency, at the request of employees who believe that their constitutional rights are being violated by the imposition of the Agency's drug testing program, to reduce the security clearances of those employees below the level of the TDPs to which they have been assigned. In the absence of any indication in the record to the contrary, we interpret Proposal 2 as applying to those employees who have been assigned to TDPs for which a specified security clearance is a precondition of assignment. Because Proposal 2 would require that, as to employees who have constitutional objections to drug testing, management reduce the security clearances of those employees below the level specified for the TDPs to which they have been assigned, the effect of the proposal is to disqualify employees for assignment to those TDPs. See Agency Statement at 4. See also Egan, 108 S. Ct. at 824; American Federation of Government Employees, Local 1923 and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Care Financing Administration, Baltimore, Maryland, 39 FLRA 1197, 1205 (1991).

For the reasons discussed in connection with our disposition of Proposal 1, we conclude that the Union's interpretation of Proposal 2 as requiring a reduction in security clearance and a transfer only if the employee files a claim challenging the constitutionality of the drug testing program is inconsistent with the plain wording of the proposal. Consequently, as with Proposal 1, we decline to adopt the Union's interpretation.

Because Proposal 2 requires management to reduce the security clearances of employees in TDPs who believe that their constitutional rights are being violated, the proposal has the effect of disqualifying those employees for assignment to those TDPs. Although Proposal 2 is silent as to what will be done for those employees who have lost the security clearance required for their TDPs, the Union explains that implementation of the proposal will involve the "transfer" of those employees. Union Response at 3. The Agency also interprets the proposal as requiring management to reassign to non-TDPs those employees whose security clearances have been reduced. Agency Statement at 2. Because the Union's interpretation is consistent with the wording of the proposal, we will interpret Proposal 2 as requiring management to reassign employees who, at their own request, have had their security clearances reduced.

Proposals that preclude management from assigning employees to particular positions directly interfere with management's right to assign employees. See West Point Elementary School Teachers Association, NEA and United States Military Academy, West Point Elementary School, 34 FLRA 1008, 1010 (1990) (West Point Elementary School). Moreover, "[a] proposal that conditions the exercise of a management right on employee choice directly interferes with the exercise of that right." See Federal Employees Metal Trades Council of Charleston and U.S. Department of the Navy, Charleston Naval Shipyard, Charleston, South Carolina, 36 FLRA 401, 405 (1990) (Charleston Naval Shipyard). Proposal 2 would require management, at the request of employees assigned to TDPs and based upon their objections to the constitutionality of drug testing, to reduce those employees' security clearances, thus precluding the continuation of their existing assignments to those TDPs. Consequently, we find, consistent with Charleston Naval Shipyard, that Proposal 2 directly interferes with management's right to assign employees under section 7106(a)(2)(A) of the Statute.

To the extent that Proposal 2 requires management to transfer employees whose security clearances have been voluntarily reduced because of their beliefs as to the unconstitutionality of the Agency's drug testing program to non-TDPs, we find, for the reasons discussed in connection with Proposal 1 and consistent with Aberdeen I and Aberdeen II, that Proposal 2 directly interferes with management's rights to assign employees to positions under section 7106(a)(2)(A) and to fill positions by selecting candidates from any appropriate source under section 7106(a)(2)(C) of the Statute.

The proposal is nonnegotiable, therefore, unless, as claimed by the Union, it constitutes an appropriate arrangement within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute.

Like Proposal 1, Proposal 2 would benefit employees who believe that the Agency's drug testing program is unconstitutional by precluding management from retaining those employees in the TDPs to which they have been assigned and requiring that they be reassigned to non-TDPs. As with Proposal 1, however, Proposal 2 requires the reassignment of employees from TDPs to non-TDPs without regard, for example, to considerations of workload. Consequently, for the reasons stated in our analysis of Proposal 1, we find that Proposal 2 excessively interferes with management's right to assign employees to positions under section 7106(a)(2)(A) and to fill vacant positions by selecting candidates from any appropriate source under section 7106(a)(2)(C) of the Statute. Therefore, we conclude that Proposal 2 is not an appropriate arrangement within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute.

Because we find that Proposal 2 directly and excessively interferes with management's rights to assign employees to positions under section 7106(a)(2)(A) and to select candidates from any appropriate source to fill vacant positions under section 7106(a)(2)(C), we find it unnecessary to address the Agency's claim that the proposal is nonnegotiable under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute because it directly and excessively interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices.

Accordingly, we conclude that Proposal 2 is nonnegotiable.

IV. Proposal 3

The requirement quota for the random selection from the TDP group will be made one name at a time. The names will not be returned to the TDP pool until one year's time has passed. If the quota is such that it is larger than the remaining TDP pool then all names will be returned to the pool at the time and then the selection process begun.

A. Positions of the Parties

1. Agency

The Agency interprets Proposal 3 as limiting random drug testing to one test a year for each employee in a TDP. The Agency contends that the proposal directly interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices. In particular, citing National Treasury Employees Union and U.S. Customs Service, 31 FLRA 118, 121 (1988), the Agency asserts that management's decision to adopt a drug testing plan includes the decision as to the manner in which that plan will be implemented. Noting that Civilian Personnel Instruction (CPI) 792-3, "Department of the Navy Drug-Free Workplace Program," reserves to the Secretary of the Navy the right to increase or decrease the frequency of random testing to "optimize overall deterrence," the Agency argues that, by limiting random testing to once a year for each employee, the proposal precludes the Agency "from achieving its stated deterrence goal." Agency Statement at 6. The Agency concludes that, because the proposal interferes with the purpose for which the Agency adopted a drug testing plan, the proposal directly interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute and is, therefore, nonnegotiable.

2. Union

The Union states that its "intent in the random selection procedure is to test all TDP employees at least once/year." Union Petition at 2. The Union "wants its unit members who are occasional users to know they will be selected and if they cannot give up drugs on their own to seek help." Id. at 2-3. The Union contends that the proposal "will send a message to Union members that testing will be randomly and efficiently performed." Union Response at 3.

B. Analysis and Conclusions

Once an employee has been randomly tested, Proposal 3 removes that employee from the group of employees subject to random testing for 1 year or until the pool of employees in TDPs is exhausted. The proposal limits the number of times that an employee in a TDP may be randomly tested during the year following the date on which he or she is randomly tested. We find that the proposal is nonnegotiable.

Proposals that limit the number of times during a year that an employee may be subjected to a random drug test directly interfere with management's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute because such proposals restrict management's ability to test employees for illegal drug use on a random basis. See Graphics Communications International Union, Local 98-L and U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Mapping Agency, Hydrographic Topographic Command, Washington, D.C., 39 FLRA 437, 442 (1991) (Hydrographic Topographic Command) (Member Talkin concurring) (proposals that precluded employees from being subjected to further random testing during a calendar year once they had tested negative held to directly and excessively interfere with management's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1)).

Because Proposal 3 would preclude employees, once they have been randomly tested, from being subject to random testing again for 1 year or until the pool of employees is exhausted, we find, consistent with Hydrographic Topographic Command, that Proposal 3 directly and excessively interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute. See also International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, Local 128 and U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Reclamation, 39 FLRA 1500, 1530 (1991) (Bureau of Reclamation).

Therefore, we conclude that Proposal 3 is nonnegotiable.

V. Proposal 4

The [Agency] shall require all contractors coming onto [Agency] grounds, who are performing work the same as or similar to that which would be designated TDP[,] to test their own employees following procedures similar to the testing of [Agency] employees by making the requirement a condition of the contract.

A. Positions of the Parties

1. Agency

The Agency notes that the Union intends the proposal to protect unit members "and not let them work with or be in the proximity of drug addicted persons who could physically or mentally hurt its unit members." Agency Statement at 7. The Agency interprets Proposal 4 as requiring management to establish and impose a random drug testing policy on private-sector contractors doing business with the Agency. The Agency contends that the proposal is nonnegotiable because it: (1) does not concern a condition of employment of bargaining unit employees; (2) conflicts with a Department of Defense interim rule, which is a Government-wide regulation; and (3) conflicts with management's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute.

The Agency asserts that "a proposal which is principally focused on nonbargaining unit positions or employees does not directly affect the work situation or employment relationship of bargaining unit employees." Agency Statement at 7. The Agency contends that Proposal 4 is focused not on unit employees, but instead "concerns all individuals under contract with the [A]gency who come onto the [A]gency's premises, regardless of whether they work at the [A]gency's worksite or elsewhere." Id. Accordingly, the Agency argues that the proposal does not pertain to bargaining unit employees. Id.

The Agency also contends that Proposal 4 "does not create any rights for unit employees as employees of the [A]gency nor confer any benefits which employees would receive by virtue of their employment by the [A]gency." Id. at 8. Moreover, the Agency argues, the proposal "does not serve to physically or mentally protect unit employees from drug addicted contractors . . . because the proposal applies even to contractors who merely come onto the [A]gency's premises, regardless of whether they work at the [A]gency or work with unit employees." Id. The Agency concludes, therefore, that the proposal does not concern a matter affecting the conditions of employment of unit employees.

The Agency also claims that Proposal 4 is inconsistent with 48 C.F.R. § 252.223.7500, which, it argues, is a Government-wide regulation. That regulation requires Federal contractors to "establish programs that provide for random testing for the use of illegal drugs by employees in sensitive positions and, by employees not in sensitive positions, if the contracting officer determines testing is necessary for reasons of national security or protection of the health and safety of those using or affected by a product or performance of the contract." Agency Statement at 8. The Agency contends that this regulation "does not apply to subcontracts and places the responsibility of the extent and criteria of random drug testing on the contractor." Id. The Agency also notes that the regulation provides that drug testing programs established by contractors "shall not apply to the extent they are inconsistent with state or local law, or with an existing collective bargaining agreement; provided that with respect to the latter, the contractor agrees that those issues that are in conflict will be a subject of negotiation at the next collective bargaining session." Id. The Agency contends that the proposal is inconsistent with the regulation, which places "implementation responsibilities on the contractor and not on the [G]overnment." Id. at 9.

Finally, the Agency contends that the regulation establishing the Agency's drug testing program for its own employees and the Department of Defense regulation requiring a drug testing program for contractors "act as deterrents against illegal drug use" and, thus, constitute the Agency's plans to minimize or eliminate the risks to Government property, to prevent disclosure of information and disruption of the Agency's activities. Id. The Agency argues that, because the proposal requires management to establish and impose a drug testing policy on private sector contractors, the proposal "directly impinges on" management's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1). Id.

2. Union

The Union states that the intent of Proposal 4 is to protect unit employees by preventing them from working with or being near persons who use illegal drugs and could "physically or mentally hurt" them. Petition for Review at 3. According to the Union, the proposal requires the Agency to test the employees of private sector contractors who work with unit employees in TDPs for the use of illegal drugs. The Union contends that the proposal is an appropriate arrangement for unit employees in TDPs who would be adversely affected if contract employees performing the same duties were not drug tested. The Union argues that unit employees would be at risk if they have to work with private sector employees who have substance abuse problems and that the proposal would minimize that risk by requiring drug testing for all personnel regardless of who their immediate employer is. The Union concludes that the proposal would ensure the safety of the workplace.

B. Analysis and Conclusions

For the following reasons, we conclude that Proposal 4 does not vitally affect unit employees' conditions of employment and, therefore, does not constitute a condition of employment for unit employees. Accordingly, Proposal 4 is nonnegotiable. Moreover, even if Proposal 4 constituted a condition of employment, Proposal 4 would nevertheless be nonnegotiable for the reasons stated below.

1. Proposal 4 Does Not Concern a Condition of Employment

The Agency contends that Proposal 4 is nonnegotiable because it concerns solely the working conditions of nonunit employees and, therefore, does not involve conditions of employment of unit employees within the meaning of section 7103(a)(14) of the Statute. We disagree. The fact that a proposal has an effect on the working conditions of nonunit employees is not in and of itself determinative of the negotiability of the proposal. See National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 1482 and U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Mapping Agency, Hydrographic/Topographic Center, Louisville, Kentucky, 40 FLRA 902, 908 (1991), petition for review filed sub nom. U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Mapping Agency, Hydrographic/Topographic Center, Louisville, Kentucky v. FLRA, No. 91-1330 (D.C. Cir. July 16, 1991) (proposal requiring agency to provide training to supervisors who review employees' security updates held to "vitally affect" conditions of employment of unit employees).

Rather, such a proposal is negotiable under the Statute if it (1) vitally affects the working conditions of unit employees and (2) is consistent with applicable law, including the management rights provisions of section 7106 of the Statute, and regulations. See National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 1482 and U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Mapping Agency, Louisville, Kentucky, 39 FLRA 1169, 1187 (1991) (Defense Mapping Agency, Louisville, Kentucky), petition for review filed sub nom. U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Mapping Agency, Louisville, Kentucky v. FLRA, No. 91-1217 (D.C. Cir. May 10, 1991); American Federation of Government Employees, Local 32, AFL-CIO, and Office of Personnel Management, 33 FLRA 335, 338 (1988), enf'd sub nom. U.S. Office of Personnel Management v. FLRA, 905 F.2d 430 (D.C. Cir. 1990).

A proposal having an effect on nonunit employees will be found to vitally affect the conditions of employment of unit employees if the effect of that proposal upon unit employees' conditions of employment is "significant and material, as opposed to indirect or incidental." Defense Mapping Agency, Louisville, Kentucky, 39 FLRA at 1187, quoting International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 2297 and U.S. Department of the Navy, Naval Aviation Depot, Cherry Point, North Carolina, 38 FLRA 1451, 1455 (1991), petition for review filed sub nom. U.S. Department of the Navy, Naval Aviation Depot, Cherry Point, North Carolina v. FLRA, No. 91-1123 (D.C. Cir. Mar. 12, 1991).

The record in this case does not demonstrate that requiring the Agency to drug test contractors' employees using procedures similar to those for unit employees would have a significant and material effect on the working conditions of unit employees. The proposal does not direct the Agency to take any actions with respect to unit employees. Rather, it applies to contract employees who perform the same or similar work as unit employees in TDPs. Moreover, consistent with its plain wording, the proposal could be read, as claimed by the Agency, to include all such individuals "who come onto the [A]gency's premises, regardless of whether they work at the [A]gency's worksite or elsewhere." Agency's Statement of Position at 7. The record does not contain any information as to the nature or duration of contact between bargaining unit employees in TDPs and contract employees who perform the same or similar work. Based on the record before us, it has not been shown how the proposal has any more than, at best, an indirect or incidental effect on unit employees' working conditions. Accordingly, we find that Proposal 4 does not vitally affect conditions of employment of bargaining unit employees. Compare Patent Office Professional Association and Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office, 39 FLRA 783, 834-35 (1991) (Patent and Trademark Office), petition for review filed sub nom. Department of Commerce, Patent and Trademark Office v. FLRA, No. 91-1179 (D.C. Cir. April 17, 1991) (proposal which required agency, among other things, to train supervisors in evaluation of unit employees' work found to concern matters that vitally affect the conditions of employment of unit employees under section 7103(a)(14) of the Statute).

Consequently, as Proposal 4 does not vitally affect the conditions of employment of unit employees, it is nonnegotiable.

2. Even If Proposal 4 Concerned a Condition of Employment, Proposal 4 Would Be Nonnegotiable

Even assuming, however, that Proposal 4 were found to concern a matter which vitally affects the conditions of employment of unit employees, it would nevertheless be nonnegotiable. We note at the outset that the proposal is not nonnegotiable because it is inconsistent with a Government-wide regulation under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute. The regulation relied on by the Agency as a Government-wide regulation, is not a Government-wide regulation within the meaning of section 7117(a) of the Statute, but is an Agency-wide regulation which does not bar negotiation under section 7117(a)(1). Rather, Proposal 4 is nonnegotiable because it excessively interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a) of the Statute, and, therefore, does not constitute an appropriate arrangement within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3).

a. The Regulation Relied on by the Agency Is Not a Government-wide Regulation Within the Meaning of  Section 7117(a)

We find that 48 C.F.R. § 252.223.7500, relied on by the Agency, is not a Government-wide regulation within the meaning of section 7117(a) of the Statute. The general Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) are codified at Chapter 1 of Title 48, Code of Federal Regulations. Subsequent chapters are reserved for agency acquisition regulations that implement or supplement the FAR. The FAR in Chapter 1 and the agency regulations in Chapter 2 to 49 comprise the FAR System. 48 C.F.R. § 1.104-1(b); 48 C.F.R. Subpart 1.3--Agency Acquisition Regulations; American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 1770 and Department of the Army, Fort Bragg Dependent Schools, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 28 FLRA 493, 530-31 (1987). Because § 252.223.7500 is part of Chapter 2, which is reserved for Department of Defense regulations supplementing the FAR, it is an Agency regulation. 48 C.F.R. § 252.200. Therefore, 48 C.F.R. § 252.223.7500 does not constitute a Government-wide regulation within the meaning of section 7117(a) of the Statute.

We note that the Agency asserts that 48 C.F.R. § 252.223.7500 was published in the Federal Register on January 31, 1989, as an interim regulation. The section relied on by the Agency was actually published in the Federal Register on Sept. 28, 1988. 53 Fed. Reg. 37763-65, Sept. 28, 1988; 48 C.F.R. § 252.223.7500. A review of the January 31, 1989, Federal Register shows that FAR interim regulations on a Drug-Free Workplace were published on that date at 54 Fed. Reg. 4968. Those regulations became final on May 25, 1990, 55 Fed. Reg. 20707. However, the FAR provisions on a drug-free workplace do not address contractors' use of drug testing as a means to achieve a drug-free workplace. See 48 C.F.R. Ch. 1, Subpart 23.5--Drug-Free Workplace. The Agency has not demonstrated any conflict between those regulations and Proposal 4, and none is apparent to us.

Because the regulation relied on by the Agency does not constitute a Government-wide regulation within the meaning of section 7117(a) of the Statute, and no other Government-wide regulation is raised as a bar, we reject the Agency's contention that Proposal 4 is inconsistent with Government-wide regulation.

b. Proposal 4 Directly Interferes With Management's Right Under Section 7106(a)(1) to Determine Its Internal Security Practices

The Agency claims that Proposal 4 directly interferes with its right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute. We agree.

An agency's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute includes the right to determine the policies and take actions which are part of its plan to secure or safeguard its personnel, its physical property, and its operations. See National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 2050 and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 35 FLRA 706 (1990) (EPA); National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 15 and U.S. Army Armament, Munitions and Chemical Command, Rock Island Arsenal, Rock Island, Illinois, 30 FLRA 472, 475 (1987); National Association of Government Employees, SEIU, Local R7-51 and Department of the Navy, Navy Public Works Center, Great Lakes, Illinois, 30 FLRA 415, 417 (1987).

Proposal 4 requires that the procedures for drug testing of certain contract employees be the same as the procedures applicable to bargaining unit employees in TDPs. The proposal establishes a standard governing the actions that the Agency will take and the procedures it will adopt to safeguard the personnel, the property, and the operations at Agency workplaces. Proposal 4 precludes the Agency from using other measures governing drug use by contractors' employees to ensure a drug-free workplace. In particular, it precludes the Agency from requiring contractors to use other procedures to ensure a drug-free workforce, even if those measures were more stringent than those applied by the Agency. In essence, Proposal 4 establishes a substantive limitation on management's determination of the internal security practices that it will employ at Agency workplaces where Agency and contractors' employees perform the same or similar work.

Proposals which establish substantive criteria governing the exercise of a management right directly interfere with that right. See West Point Elementary School, 34 FLRA 1008, 1010 (1990); Rock Island I, 30 FLRA 1046, 1059-60 (1988); American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 1501 and Department of Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland, 24 FLRA 470, 472-73 (1986). In Defense Logistics Council of American Federation of Government Employees Locals v. FLRA, 810 F.2d 234 (D.C. Cir. 1987) (Defense Logistics Council), the court upheld the Authority's determination that a proposal establishing standards governing the suspension of driving privileges for driving while intoxicated were nonnegotiable under section 7106(a)(1). The court stated as follows:

Each of these provisions seeks to modify the criteria by which the [a]gency determines suspensions. Each is clearly substantive. . . . Under the "direct interference" test, therefore, these [u]nion proposals are nonnegotiable since they directly interfere with management's right to determine its internal security practices. . . . The language of these proposals would substantively alter the decisionmaking criteria used by management in implementing the Directive.

Defense Logistics Council, 810 F.2d at 240 (citations omitted).

Moreover, it is not necessary that a proposal dictate the specific action that an agency must take in order for that proposal to constitute a substantive limitation on the exercise of a management right. A general criterion may also constitute a substantive limitation on that right. See American Federation of Government Employees, Local 3748 v. FLRA, 797 F.2d 612, 617-18 (D.C. Cir. 1986); National Treasury Employees Union v. FLRA, 767 F.2d 1315, 1317 (9th Cir. 1985). See also EPA, 36 FLRA at 627.

Even though Proposal 4 does not dictate the specific terms of the provision which management must include in agreements with outside contractors, it limits management's decision as to the measures it will institute to ensure a drug-free workplace, where both bargaining unit and contractors' employees work together. Accordingly, we conclude that Proposal 4 establishes a substantive criterion that directly interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute. See Rock Island I, 30 FLRA at 1060.

c. Proposal 4 Is Not an Appropriate Arrangement Under Section 7106(b)(3)

The Union claims that Proposal 4 constitutes an appropriate arrangement within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3). As noted above, to determine whether a proposal constitutes an appropriate arrangement, we must determine whether the proposal is (1) intended to be an arrangement for employees adversely affected by the exercise of a management right, and (2) appropriate because it does not excessively interfere with the exercise of management's right.

The Union contends that Proposal 4 is intended to protect employees from "private sector workers who have substance abuse problems [which] would not be detected and would put drug free [U]nion workers at risk." Union's Response at 5. In light of this contention, we conclude that the proposal is intended to address the adverse effects of the internal security practices that the Agency has employed at its facilities. Therefore, it is intended to be an arrangement within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3).

The next question is whether Proposal 4 excessively interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices so as not to constitute an appropriate arrangement. As noted above, in determining whether a proposal excessively interferes with a management right, we will weigh "the competing practical needs of employees and managers" to determine whether the benefit to employees afforded by the proposal is greater than the burden placed by the proposal on the exercise of the management right or rights involved. Kansas Army National Guard, 21 FLRA at 31-34.

The Agency contends that Proposal 4 "directly impinges on management's right to establish its internal security practices." Agency's Statement of Position at 9. The Agency asserts that its regulations "constitute the [A]gency's plans which are intended to eliminate or minimize risks to [G]overnment property and prevent disclosure of information and disruption of the [A]gency's right to determine its internal security practices." Id.

The Union argues that Proposal 4 would eliminate the potential that private sector workers who have substance abuse problems would not be detected and would put bargaining unit employees at risk. The Union claims that Proposal 4 is an appropriate arrangement for rectifying this situation because it would require uniform testing of employees in TDPs regardless of who their immediate employer is. The Union asserts that Proposal 4 would ensure safety of the workplace through equitable drug testing procedures for TDPs and contractors' employees performing similar work, regardless of their employer.

We find that Proposal 4 excessively interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices. Therefore, Proposal 4 does not constitute an appropriate arrangement within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute.

The proposal does not direct the Agency to take any actions with respect to unit employees. Rather, it applies to contract employees who perform the same or similar work as unit employees in TDPs, and would require the use of testing techniques similar to those used on unit employees, and would preclude the use of more stringent testing methods. As we stated above, the proposal could be read, as claimed by the Agency, to include all such individuals "who come onto the [A]gency's premises, regardless of whether they work at the [A]gency's worksite or elsewhere." Agency's Statement of Position at 7.

Moreover, the record does not contain any information as to the nature or duration of contact between bargaining unit employees in TDPs and contract employees who perform the same or similar work. The contact could be very limited, of short duration, or only at a significant distance between the employees. The record does not show how the contact would differ from contact with a visitor to the worksite. As such, the purported benefit of the proposal to employees is speculative at best compared to the burden on the Agency of requiring contractors to use similar drug testing procedures on their employees rather than other or more stringent procedures, and we conclude that Proposal 4 excessively interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices.

Therefore, even if Proposal 4 were found to concern a condition of employment, we find that it would not constitute an appropriate arrangement within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3) and, therefore, would be nonnegotiable.

VI. Proposal 5

Persons in testing designated positions who are being tested under the random selection procedure, shall not be required to supply a sample outside of the employee's scheduled work hours. Any employee, who is required to remain under surveillance during his/her scheduled lunch period, shall not be denied his/her normal lunch routine.

A. Positions of the Parties

1. Agency

The Agency interprets the first sentence of the proposal to limit management's discretion to order an employee to undergo drug testing when the time required to collect a urine specimen for testing extends beyond the regular shift. The Agency asserts that the first sentence is nonnegotiable because it interferes with management's rights to assign work under section 7106(a)(2)(B) and to determine internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute. The Agency also asserts that the first sentence does not constitute an appropriate arrangement because there is no adverse effect on employees which results from the assignment to provide a drug sample outside an employee's regular work shift. The Agency argues that its policy providing for overtime pay or compensatory time mitigates any intrusion into an employee's personal time when an employee is assigned to stay beyond the shift to provide a urine sample for a drug test.

The Agency argues that "[t]he authority to order an employee to undergo a urine test is an assignment of work. See American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Council of Prison Locals, Local 1661 and U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal Correctional Institution, Danbury, Connecticut, 31 FLRA 95, 99 (1988)." Agency's Statement of Position at 10. The Agency maintains that management's right to assign work includes the right to determine that certain work will be performed on overtime and that a proposal limiting management's authority to assign overtime work is inconsistent with the right to assign work. The Agency argues that Proposal 5 interferes with its right to assign work because it limits the Agency's discretion to determine the duration of work assignments according to Agency policy regarding the collection of urine samples for drug tests.

The Agency asserts that its right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute includes the formulation of those policies and measures which are part of the Agency's plan to secure or protect its physical property against internal or external risks, to prevent improper or unauthorized disclosure of information, or to prevent the disruption of the Agency's activities. The Agency contends that an integral part of that decision is its policy requiring employees being tested to remain at the collection site within view of the drug program coordinator until they are ready to provide a sample.

The Agency contends that the second sentence of Proposal 5, which would require the Agency to release employees at the end of their work shift or during lunch breaks, interferes with the Agency's purposes for adopting a drug testing program so as to conflict with management's rights to determine internal security practices. The Agency asserts that allowing employees to leave would give them an opportunity to clear their systems of traces of drugs or to fail to return to provide the urine sample when scheduled.

2. Union

The Union states that Proposal 5 means that "unit personnel selected by random procedure are not criminals or drug abusers and shall not be required to remain after hours against their will if they cannot provide a urine specimen during their regularly scheduled hours." Union Petition at 4. The Union states that Proposal 5 provides that unit members shall be allowed to eat as they normally would even when required to provide specimens. The Union states that Proposal 5 ensures that "[t]he passing of a urine sample shall not be used to harass a person who has a problem in providing urine samples." Id.

The Union claims that Proposal 5 is negotiable under section 7106(b)(2) and (b)(3) of the Statute. The Union asserts that Proposal 5 is intended as a procedure to be observed when the Agency exercises its management rights by requiring a drug test. The Union claims that the first sentence of Proposal 5 is an appropriate arrangement for employees who would be adversely affected by requiring them to provide a sample outside of scheduled work hours. The Union asserts that the second sentence of Proposal 5 is a procedure to ensure that employees being tested are not deprived of their lunch breaks.

B. Analysis and Conclusions

We find that the first sentence of Proposal 5 is inconsistent with the final Guidelines. Because the first sentence of Proposal 5 is inconsistent with the final Guidelines, which are Government-wide regulations, it is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute. We find that the second sentence of Proposal 5 is negotiable.

1. The First Sentence

The Union states that Proposal 5 means that an employee who cannot produce a urine sample will not be required to stay beyond the end of the shift to try to produce the required sample. Because the Union's explanation of the meaning of Proposal 5 is consistent with the wording of the proposal, we will adopt that interpretation for purposes of this decision. We find that, interpreted in this manner, the first sentence of Proposal 5 has the same effect as other proposals providing that an employee may leave the collection site if he or she is unable to provide a sample of sufficient volume. See American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 1808 and U.S. Department of the Army, Sierra Army Depot, Herlong, California, 37 FLRA 1439, 1445-47 (1990) (Member Talkin dissenting as to other matters) (Sierra Army Depot).

The final Guidelines are Government-wide regulations within the meaning of section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute. Aberdeen Proving Ground, 890 F.2d at 469-70; Rock Island II, 33 FLRA at 438-39. The final Guidelines provide instructions to the collection site person in the event that an employee sent for drug testing cannot provide a sample of sufficient size, that is, 60 milliliters. The Guidelines provide that the employee being tested "may be given a reasonable amount of liquid to drink for this purpose (e.g., a glass of water)." See section 2.2(f)(10) of the final Guidelines, 53 Fed. Reg. 11981. If the employee being tested still fails to provide a sample of at least 60 milliliters, the collection site person is to contact the appropriate authority for guidance. Id.

The first sentence of Proposal 5 provides that if the employee is unable to provide a sample during his or her shift, the employee will not be required to remain in order to try to provide a sample. The effect of the first sentence is that the employee will not be required to remain at work or at the collection site past his or her shift. The first sentence of Proposal 5 is inconsistent with the portion of the final Guidelines providing that the collection site person is to contact the appropriate authority for guidance. The first sentence of Proposal 5 would not permit collection site personnel to comply with the instructions in section 2.2(f)(10) of the final Guidelines. Because the first sentence of Proposal 5 provides alternate procedures for an employee who is unable to produce a sample of sufficient volume during his or her regularly scheduled hours of work, it is inconsistent with section 2.2(f)(10) of the final Guidelines. As the first sentence of Proposal 5 is inconsistent with the final Guidelines, it is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute.

Because we have found that the first sentence of Proposal 5 is inconsistent with a Government-wide regulation and is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute, we need not reach the question of whether the proposal constitutes an appropriate arrangement under section 7106(b)(3). The Authority will not consider whether a proposal constitutes an appropriate arrangement within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3) when, as in this case, the proposal is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) and not under section 7106. See, for example, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 3232 and Department of Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Region II, 31 FLRA 355 (1988) (DHHS, SSA, Region II). Moreover, inasmuch as the first sentence of Proposal 5 is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute, we need not consider the other arguments raised by the parties. See Sierra Army Depot, 37 FLRA 1439, 1447 (1990).

2. The Second Sentence

The second sentence of Proposal 5 provides that an employee being tested shall not be denied his or her normal lunch routine. The proposal also provides that the employee may be required to remain under surveillance during the lunch period. We find that the second sentence of Proposal 5 is negotiable.

The Agency has not demonstrated, and it is not otherwise apparent to us, that the second sentence of Proposal 5 is inconsistent with the final Guidelines or with management's rights under section 7106. Because the second sentence of Proposal 5 states that the employee to be tested may be kept under surveillance during the lunch period, the proposal would not have the potential to compromise the integrity of the testing process. The proposal does not preclude compliance with provisions of the final Guidelines, such as section 2.2(6) regarding the employee's access to water fountains, faucets, etc. after reporting to the collection site. If the employee reports to the collection site and encounters delays, the employee may follow his or her lunch routine, albeit while under surveillance as required by the Agency, and then report again to the collection site and again follow the procedures established in the final Guidelines. Because it has not been shown to be inconsistent with law or regulation, the second sentence of Proposal 5 is negotiable.

VII. Proposal 6

Those persons being tested outside the random selection process, if detained beyond scheduled work hours, shall be in a work status and will be paid overtime dollar [sic] or compensatory time at their choice. In addition, these persons will be provided transportation to their homes. If under surveillance during scheduled lunch period they shall not be denied their normal lunch routine.

A. Positions of the Parties

1. Agency

The Agency interprets the first sentence of Proposal 6 as allowing any bargaining unit employee who is required to remain beyond normal duty hours to provide a urine specimen under non-random testing the option of overtime payment or compensatory time. The Agency asserts that the first sentence of Proposal 6 is nonnegotiable because it is inconsistent with applicable Government-wide regulations.

The Agency states that there are approximately 925 bargaining unit employees covered by the General Schedule (GS), of whom approximately 50 are at the GS-5/7 level and are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and approximately 900 are at the GS-9 through 15 levels and are exempt from FLSA. The Agency states that 5 C.F.R. § 551.531(b), which governs the former group of employees, provides, in pertinent part, that an employee who earns an overtime pay entitlement may be granted compensatory time off if the employee earns an overtime entitlement under 5 C.F.R. § 550.113 that is equal to or greater than the employee's entitlement under 5 C.F.R. § 551.501.

The Agency also states that as to employees who are covered under title 5 overtime pay provisions and not FLSA, 5 C.F.R. § 550.114(b) provides, in pertinent part, that an employee whose rate of basic pay exceeds the maximum rate for GS-10 shall be compensated for irregular or occasional overtime work with an equivalent amount of compensatory time off from his or her tour of duty instead of payment under 5 C.F.R. § 550.113. The Agency asserts that the first sentence of Proposal 6 would give employees the option of electing compensatory time or overtime pay without regard to whether such employees are precluded from doing so by applicable Government-wide regulation. The Agency concludes that the first sentence of the proposal is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) because it is inconsistent with applicable Government-wide regulations.

The Agency interprets the second sentence of Proposal 6 as obligating the Agency either to furnish a Government-owned vehicle to transport an employee home or to authorize payment of taxicab fares if an employee misses a carpool ride, when the employee has been required to remain at the collection site beyond normal duty hours to provide a specimen and the employee does not have transportation home. The Agency asserts that the second sentence of Proposal 6 is nonnegotiable because it conflicts with 31 U.S.C. § 1344 and Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) 1-2.3(e) (41 C.F.R. § 301-2.3(e)), a Government-wide regulation.

The Agency claims that the FTR "authorizes the payment of taxicab fare in specified circumstances when an employee is officially ordered to work outside his or her designated post of duty." Agency Statement at 13. The Agency contends that appropriated funds may not be used for transporting employees from work to home. The Agency asserts that to the extent that the second sentence of Proposal 6 obligates the Agency to furnish a Government-owned vehicle to provide these employees with transportation to their homes, the proposal conflicts with applicable law and is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute.

Additionally, the Agency argues that Section 1-2.3(e) of the FTRs precludes payment of employees' work to home commute, except under limited circumstances. The Agency maintains that the second sentence of Proposal 6 does not include all of the regulatory elements necessary to establish eligibility for payment of cab fare on completion of an overtime assignment.

Specifically, the Agency argues that the proposal makes no reference to taxicab fare. The Agency contends that the proposal is broad enough to encompass the cost of a rental car. Moreover, the Agency states that, according to the Union's statement of intent, the employee will be provided transportation if a carpool ride is missed, regardless of the continued availability of other public transportation. The Agency states that the FTRs authorize payment from work to home after an overtime assignment only when the employee is dependent on public transportation and when the travel is during hours of infrequently scheduled public transportation or darkness. Therefore, the Agency claims that the second sentence of Proposal 6 is inconsistent with FTR Section 1-2.3(e), which is a Government-wide regulation within the meaning of section 7117(a)(1), and concludes that the proposal is nonnegotiable.

The Agency interprets the third sentence of Proposal 6 as permitting an employee to leave the premises on lunch breaks while the employee is undergoing non-random drug testing, such as reasonable suspicion testing and accident or unsafe practice testing where the employee provides a urine sample under direct observation. The Agency asserts that the third sentence of Proposal 6 is nonnegotiable because it interferes with its right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute.

The Agency argues that during non-random drug testing, such as reasonable suspicion and accident or unsafe practice testing, where direct observation of collection is required, constant surveillance of the employee during a lunch break is essential to the determination of whether an employee has used illegal drugs. The Agency contends that if an employee were released for lunch under these circumstances, "the employee might not return or could attempt to devise some means to sabotage the test result." Id. at 16. The Agency asserts that under these circumstances, the determination that employees may not leave the collection site until a specimen has been provided constitutes an exercise of the Agency's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute. The Agency concludes that because the third sentence of Proposal 6 directly interferes with the Agency's right to determine its internal security practice, it is nonnegotiable.

2. Union

The Union states that its intent in Proposal 6 is to prevent supervisors from harassing employees by stating that they suspect an employee of being under the influence of drugs. The Union states that if management is required to implement the Union's proposals, supervisors would hesitate to require employees to remain after hours or during lunch periods, if only to harass an employee, because under Proposal 6 it would cost the supervisors money. In addition, the Union states that any person who is subjected to non-random drug testing is suspected of being on drugs and, therefore, that person should not be allowed to drive. The Union states that if employees belong to a car pool, they should not be required to pay their taxi fare home.

The Union claims that Proposal 6 is negotiable under section 7106(b)(2) and (b)(3). The Union contends that the first sentence of Proposal 6 is intended to provide compensation to employees who are kept beyond regular working hours while awaiting a drug test. The Union asserts that this sentence is intended as an appropriate arrangement under section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute for employees who would be adversely affected by being tested after working hours. According to the Union, the second sentence of Proposal 6 is intended to require the Agency to provide transportation home for an employee if the employee is tested at such a time that he or she is unable to commute home because a ride was missed or because public transportation stopped running for the day.

B. Analysis and Conclusions

The first sentence of Proposal 6, which allows employees a choice of overtime or compensatory time if they are required to remain at work beyond scheduled work hours, is negotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute because it is consistent with the applicable Government-wide regulation. The second sentence of Proposal 6, which requires the Agency to provide transportation for employees from work to home if drug tests keep them beyond their scheduled work hours, conflicts with 41 C.F.R. § 301-2.3(e), a Government-wide regulation. Therefore, the second sentence of Proposal 6 is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute. The third sentence of Proposal 6, which provides that employees undergoing non-random drug testing shall not be denied their normal lunch routine, is negotiable.

1. The First Sentence

Federal employees are generally divided into two groups insofar as overtime payment is concerned--those employees who are exempt from coverage by the FLSA and earn overtime only under title 5 of the United States Code and those employees who are covered by the FLSA and who earn overtime only under the FLSA. Under 5 C.F.R. § 550.114, employees who are exempt from the FLSA and are covered by title 5 may, upon request, earn compensatory time in lieu of overtime pay for time spent in irregular or occasional overtime work. Under 5 C.F.R. § 551.531, which has recently been revised by the Office of Personnel Management to implement the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990 (FEPCA), Pub. L. No. 101-509, 104 Stat. 1427 (1990), employees who are covered by the FLSA and are not prevailing rate employees may also, upon request, earn compensatory time in lieu of overtime pay for time spent in irregular or occasional overtime work. See FPM Bulletin 551-25; 56 Fed. Reg. 20339 (1991).

Based on the record in this case, we find that the bargaining unit consists of employees who are exempt from the FLSA and employees who are covered by the FLSA. There are no prevailing rate employees in the unit. Agency Statement of Position at 14. Therefore, all unit employees may, consistent with law and regulation, request compensatory time off instead of overtime pay for occasional or irregular overtime work. The first sentence of Proposal 6, by its plain terms, gives all unit employees, both those exempt from the FLSA and those covered by the FLSA, the right to request and be granted compensatory time in lieu of overtime pay. Consequently, we conclude that the first sentence of Proposal 6 is consistent with 5 C.F.R. §§ 550.114 and 551.531. Therefore, the first sentence of Proposal 6 is negotiable.

2. The Second Sentence

The second sentence requires the Agency to provide transportation home whenever an employee is required to remain at work for a drug test after scheduled work hours. Under the Travel Expense Act and the FTRs, employees must place themselves at their regular places of work and return to their homes at their own expense absent statutory or regulatory authority to the contrary. 55 Comp. Gen. 1323 (1976). See also National Council of Field Labor Locals, Local 2513, AFGE and U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Standards Administration, Region 2, 29 FLRA 451, 454 (1987) (Employment Standards Administration).

We note that the second sentence makes no reference to taxicab fare. However, in its statement of intent, the Union explains that the proposal means that employees should not have to pay the taxi fare for their ride home. Petition for Review at 5. Because the Union's explanation is consistent with the wording of the proposal, we will adopt this interpretation of the second sentence of Proposal 6 for the purposes of this decision. Based on the Union's explanation of the second sentence, we interpret that portion of the proposal as requiring the Agency to pay employees' taxi fare home whenever they are required to remain at the testing site after work hours.

The FTRs, at 41 C.F.R. § 301-2.3(e), authorize the payment of taxicab fare only in specific circumstances, as explained below, when an employee is officially ordered to work outside of regular working hours at his or her designated post of duty. Because the second sentence of Proposal 6 would require the Agency to pay employees' taxi fare whenever employees are required to remain after work hours to complete a drug test, regardless of the circumstances, we find that the second sentence of the proposal is inconsistent with 41 C.F.R. § 301-2.3(e).

The FTRs are Government-wide regulations within the meaning of section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union and Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 33 FLRA 711, 740 (1988) (Bureau of Engraving and Printing). The FTRs establish the circumstances under which an Agency may reimburse an employee for the cost of transportation between office and residence. 41 C.F.R. § 301-2.3(e) states:

Reimbursement for the usual taxicab fares paid by an employee for travel between office and home may be authorized or approved incident to the conduct of official business at an employee's designated post of duty when the employee is dependent on public transportation for such travel incident to officially ordered work outside of regular working hours and when the travel is during hours of infrequently scheduled public transportation or darkness. Agencies are expected to establish stringent administrative controls at sufficiently high levels which ensure that reimbursements are authorized only when justifiable and when all circumstances set forth herein are met.

41 C.F.R. § 301-2.3(e). The FTRs are codified in title 41 of the Code of Federal Regulations. See 54 Fed. Reg. 20262 (1989).

Consistent with its plain wording and the Union's statement of intent, the second sentence of Proposal 6 would require the Agency to pay employees' taxi fare home whenever they are required to remain after work hours for drug testing. As noted previously, however, the FTRs authorize payment of taxi fare after an overtime assignment only "when the employee is dependent on public transportation" and "when the travel is during hours of infrequently scheduled public transportation or darkness." 41 C.F.R. § 301-2.3(e).

To the extent that the second sentence provides taxi fare home to an employee who is dependent on public transportation and who was required to remain at work for purposes of drug testing after public transportation stopped running, the proposal would be negotiable. However, the FTRs do not provide for the payment of taxi fare home while public transportation is still available. Id. Because the second sentence of Proposal 6 would require the payment of taxi fare whenever employees are required to remain at work, regardless of whether public transportation is available, we find that the second sentence of the proposal is inconsistent with 41 C.F.R. § 301-2.3(e). Accordingly, because 41 C.F.R. § 301-2.3(e) is a Government-wide regulation within the meaning of section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute, we conclude that the second sentence of Proposal 6 is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute. See Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 33 FLRA at 741.

3. The Third Sentence

The third sentence of Proposal 6 is like the second sentence of Proposal 5, which provides that employees who are required to remain under surveillance while awaiting a drug test under random selection, may follow their normal lunch routine. The third sentence of Proposal 6 states that if the employee is under surveillance, the employee shall not be denied the normal lunch routine. We note that the parties have not attributed any significance to the slightly different wording in these proposals, and we find that the differences in the proposals are not meaningful. For the reasons stated in our analysis and conclusion regarding the second sentence of Proposal 5, we find that the third sentence of Proposal 6 is negotiable.

4. Summary

Because we have found that the first and second sentences of Proposal 6 are inconsistent with Government-wide regulations and are nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute, we need not reach the question of whether the first and second sentences of Proposal 6 constitute an appropriate arrangement under section 7106(b)(3). As noted above, the Authority will not consider whether a proposal constitutes an appropriate arrangement within the meaning of section 7106(b)(3) when, as in this case, the proposal is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) and not under section 7106. See, for example, DHHS, SSA, Region II, 31 FLRA 355 (1988). Moreover, inasmuch as the first and second sentences of Proposal 6 are inconsistent with Government-wide regulations and are nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute, we need not consider the other arguments raised by the parties. See Sierra Army Depot, 37 FLRA at 1447.

VIII. Proposal 7

All containers and covers which will contain employees' urine sample may be washed and rinsed by the employee, in the presence of an official observer, if he/she so requests. This option will be given to the testee in writing at the time the sample is requested.

A. Positions of the Parties

1. The Agency

The Agency contends that Proposal 7 is nonnegotiable because it interferes with the Agency's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1) of the Statute. The Agency also contends that Proposal 7 is inconsistent with section 2.2(f)(6) of the final Guidelines, which are Government-wide regulations within the meaning of section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute. The Agency asserts that that section of the final Guidelines provides that after employees have reported to the collection site and have washed their hands, they are not to have access to any water fountain, faucet, soap dispenser, cleaning agent, or any other materials which could be used to adulterate the specimen. The Agency argues that if an employee washed the collection container and lid prior to providing the sample, traces of water or soap could remain in the container and taint the sample. The Agency concludes that because the proposal requires that the employee be allowed to wash the containers, the proposal is inconsistent with section 2.2(f)(6) of the final Guidelines.

2. The Union

The Union states that the intent of Proposal 7 "is to protect employees from persons or persons who would salt the containers or covers." Union Petition at 5-6. The Union states that Proposal 7 is intended as a procedure, under section 7106(b)(2) of the Statute, to ensure accurate and untainted test results. According to the Union, allowing an employee to wash all the containers and covers used in the collection process for the employee's urine sample will enhance employee confidence in the accuracy of drug testing. Union's Response at 7.

B. Analysis and Conclusions

Proposal 7 provides that an employee may wash all containers and lids used in the collection process of the employee's urine sample. Because we find that Proposal 7 is inconsistent with the final Guidelines, we conclude that Proposal 7 is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute.

As noted earlier, the final Guidelines are Government-wide regulations within the meaning of section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute. Aberdeen Proving Ground, 890 F.2d at 469-70; Rock Island II, 33 FLRA at 438-39. The final Guidelines provide instructions to the personnel at the collection site to ensure the integrity and identity of specimens. The final Guidelines provide that after washing their hands, employees who are to be tested "shall remain in the presence of the collection site person and shall not have access to any water fountain, faucet, soap dispenser, cleaning agent or any other materials which could be used to adulterate the specimen." Section 2.2(f)(6) of the final Guidelines, 53 Fed. Reg. 11980-81. Because section 2.2(f)(6) of the final Guidelines precludes employee access to water, soap, or other cleaning materials that could be used to adulterate a specimen, except when employees are washing their hands, we conclude that the purpose of section 2.2(f)(6) is to prevent employees from using soap or other cleaning agents to adulterate their specimens.

Proposal 7 provides that employees may wash and rinse all collection containers and lids which will contain their urine samples. The proposal does not specify whether employees would wash and rinse the containers before or after washing their hands. Section 2.2(f)(6) of the final Guidelines precludes employees, after they have washed their hands, from having access to cleaning agents and water which they could use to adulterate their specimens. Interpreted literally, therefore, section 2.2(f)(6) of the Guidelines would not preclude employees from cleaning containers before they wash their hands. In our view, however, the purpose of section 2.2(f)(6) is to limit employees' access to and use of soap and cleaning agents only to the washing of their hands before the test. We note, in this connection, that section 2.2(f) of the final Guidelines requires agencies to "take precautions to ensure that a urine specimen not be adulterated or diluted during the collection procedure[.]" 53 Fed. Reg. 11980.

Interpreting the specific limitation set forth in section 2.2(f)(6) in light of the general policy requiring measures to prevent adulteration or dilution of specimens prescribed by section 2.2(f), we conclude that these provisions of the final Guidelines are designed to minimize, throughout the testing procedure, whether before or after hand-washing, the risk that employees may take actions that would affect the validity of the test. The exception for hand-washing to the limitation on employee access to water, soap, or other cleaning materials in section 2.2(f)(6) is intended to be construed narrowly. See Section 8 of the Response to Comments, 53 Fed. Reg. 11973.

By requiring that employees be allowed to clean the containers used to collect their specimens, the proposal permits employees to use soap and other cleaning agents for purposes other than cleaning their hands. The proposal therefore authorizes a use for soap and cleaning agents which is inconsistent with the limitation prescribed in section 2.2(f)(6), namely, that employees have no access to those materials other than to wash their hands. Consequently, by requiring that the employees be allowed to use cleaning agents and water to clean or rinse the collection container, Proposal 7 is inconsistent with section 2.2(f)(6) of the final Guidelines. Because Proposal 7 is inconsistent with the requirement of section 2.2(f)(6) of the final Guidelines, it is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute.

Because Proposal 7 is inconsistent with a Government-wide regulation and is nonnegotiable under section 7117(a)(1) of the Statute, we need not consider the other arguments raised by the parties. See Sierra Army Depot, 37 FLRA at 1447.

IX. Proposal 8

No person shall be frisked or searched.

A. Positions of the Parties

1. Agency

The Agency interprets the proposal as immunizing employees from inspections and searches. The Agency contends that the proposal directly interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1). Citing National Association of Government Employees, Local R4-6 and Department of the Army, Fort Eustis, Virginia, 29 FLRA 966 (1987) and National Treasury Employees Union, Chapter 21 and Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, 18 FLRA 405 (1985), the Agency asserts that proposals limiting management's right to conduct searches are nonnegotiable.

The Agency also notes that the final Guidelines require the collection site person to ask individuals to remove any unnecessary outer garments that might conceal items or substances that could be used to tamper with or adulterate urine specimens. The Agency contends that if the collection site person believes that an individual is concealing items or substances that could be used to tamper with or adulterate the specimen, the proposal would preclude the collection site person from searching that individual. The Agency concludes that, because the proposal would prevent such a search, the proposal directly interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices.

2. Union

The Union explains that the intent of Proposal 8 is to prevent unit employees from being "manhandled or treated as criminals" during "the entire procedure of providing a specimen[.]" Union Petition at 6. According to the Union, the proposal simply requires management to comply with constitutional and statutory limitations on searches or frisks while employees are being tested.

B. Analysis and Conclusions

By its plain wording, Proposal 8 precludes management from frisking or searching an employee in any situation. Taken literally, therefore, the proposal would apply to situations other than drug testing. However, because both the Agency and the Union understand the proposal to govern only the collection of urine specimens, we will limit our interpretation of the proposal to those circumstances. Consequently, we interpret the proposal as restricting the Agency's ability to frisk or search employees who have been required to provide a urine sample for drug testing purposes. Interpreted in this manner, we find that the proposal is negotiable.

In American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, Local 3097 and Department of Justice, Justice Management Division, 42 FLRA No. 33 (1991) (Justice Management Division), we found a proposal substantively the same as Proposal 8 in this case to be negotiable. Proposal 31 in Justice Management Division provided that employees sent for drug testing will not be subject to any kind of search or frisk procedures and will not be required to disrobe, with the exception of outer garments. Applying the principles set forth in Kansas Army National Guard, 21 FLRA at 31-33, we concluded that, even if Proposal 31 directly interferes with management's right to determine its internal security practices, the proposal is negotiable as an appropriate arrangement under section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute.

In particular, we found in Justice Management Division that Proposal 31 was not inconsistent with those portions of Section 2.2 of the final Guidelines that permitted the Agency to require employees to remove their outer garments or that permitted direct observation. See Section 2.2(f)(4) and (13) of the final Guidelines. 53 Fed. Reg. 11980-81. Neither the wording of Proposal 8 nor the record in this case suggests that the proposal is intended to preclude the Agency from requiring employees to remove their outer garments prior to providing a urine sample or directly observing the provision of a sample where there is reason to believe that the sample may be altered or substituted. We conclude, therefore, that Proposal 8 in this case, like Proposal 31 in Justice Management Division, is consistent with applicable law and regulation.

In Justice Management Division we also found that, under Kansas Army National Guard, Proposal 31 constituted an arrangement for employees adversely affected by management's right to test employees for drugs because it protected employees against the intrusions on their privacy incident to a frisk. We also found that because Proposal 31, consistent with applicable law and regulation, permitted the Agency to directly observe the provision of a sample where there was reason to believe that the sample may be altered or substituted, the proposal allowed the Agency to ensure that the integrity of the sample was not compromised. We concluded, therefore, that the benefit to employees of the protection against frisks and searches afforded by the proposal outweighed the minimal burden imposed by the proposal on the exercise of management's rights.

Proposal 8 in this case, like Proposal 31 in Justice Management Division, would benefit employees by limiting the intrusion on their privacy that would result from a frisk or a search. Moreover, as we concluded above, Proposal 8, like Proposal 31 in Justice Management Division, would not preclude the Agency from ensuring the integrity of the sample by direct observation where there is reason to believe that the sample may be altered or substituted.

The Union did not explicitly claim that Proposal 8 was intended to be an appropriate arrangement. However, where the issue of appropriate arrangements is not raised, if the proposal at issue is substantively the same as a proposal in a case in which the issue was raised, in order to avoid the anomaly of conflicting results in similar cases, the Authority will consider the issue. See American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Local 3457 and U.S. Department of the Interior, Minerals Management Service, New Orleans, Louisiana, 39 FLRA 1276, 1278 (1991). Consistent with Justice Management Division, therefore, we find that the benefit to employees afforded by Proposal 8 outweighs the burden imposed by the proposal on management's right to determine its internal security practices under section 7106(a)(1). Because we find that the benefit to employees afforded by Proposal 8 outweighs the burden imposed by the proposal on management's right to determine its internal security practices, we find that Proposal 8 does not excessively interfere with that right. We conclude, therefore, that Proposal 8 is a negotiable appropriate arrangement under section 7106(b)(3) of the Statute. See Justice Management Division, 42 FLRA No. 33, slip op. at 69-72.

X. Proposal 9

No person shall be observed by any other than the official observer while providing a sample.

A. Positions of the Parties

1. Agency

The Agency interprets Proposal 9 as preventing the Agency "from assigning more than one 'officially designated observer' should the situation warrant." Agency Statement at 19. The Agency contends that the proposal directly interferes with management's right to assign work under section 7106(a)(2)(B) of the Statute and to determine "unilaterally" the number of employees assigned to a work project under section 7106(b)(1). Id.

Specifically, the Agency contends that management's right to assign work includes the discretion to determine the particular employees to whom particular responsibilities will be assigned. Because Proposal 9 precludes anyone other than the official observer from observing an employee during the collection of the urine sample, the Agency concludes that the proposal directly interferes with management's right to assign work.

The Agency also contends that proposals that require the assignment of two or more employees to a work project directly interfere with management's right to determine the number of employees assigned to a work project, under section 7106(b)(1). The Agency further contends that such proposals are nonnegotiable unless the Agency elects to bargain on them. Because Proposal 9 would prevent management from assigning more than one employee to observe the collection of the urine specimen, the Agency concludes that the proposal is nonnegotiable under section 7106(b)(1) unless the Agency elects to bargain on the proposal.

2. Union

The Union explains that Proposal 9 is intended "to prevent perversion" and to ensure unit members' privacy. Union Petition at 6. According to the Union, the proposal limits the persons who would observe the collection procedure to those persons who are officially designated observers. The Union contends that the proposal would not limit the number of officially designated observers. Union Response at 8. The Union concludes that the proposal is a negotiable procedure under section 7106(b)(2) of the Statute.

B. Analysis and Conclusions

Proposal 9 requires the Agency to assign only official observers to observe the collection process. In the absence of any evidence to the contrary, we interpret the proposal as taking effect only where the Agency has determined that an observer is required because there is "reason to believe" that an employee will alter or substitute his or her sample. See Section 4(c) of Executive Order No. 11564.

We also find, consistent with the wording of the proposal and the Union's stated intent, that the proposal would not restrict the Agency's determination as to which persons could be an official observer or the number of individuals who could be designated as official observers. We note, in this regard, that the proposal refers to "the" official observer. The Union explains, however, that "[t]he proposal does not intend to limit in any way the number of management appointed official observers. The intent [] is to allow only official observers to view the testing." Union Response at 9. In our view, the Union's explanation is consistent with the wording of the proposal. Moreover, there is no evidence in the record that there is a particular individual who has been designated as "official observer." Accordingly, the phrase could equally plausibly be read to refer to the class of individuals designated by the Agency as an "official observer." Consequently, we will adopt the Union's explanation of the proposal for purposes of this decision.

Interpreted in this manner, Proposal 9 does not limit the number of official observers that could be assigned in any given instance where the Agency determines that an observer is necessary. The proposal limits observation of the collection process to those persons designated as observers by the Agency but does not restrict the Agency's ability to designate those observers or to assign them to observe a particular instance of specimen collection.

Based on this interpretation, we find that Proposal 9 does not directly interfere with management's rights to assign work under section 7106(a)(2)(B) or to determine the numbers, types and grades of employees assigned to a work project under section 7106(b)(1) of the Statute. Proposals that require management to assign work to particular employees directly interfere with management's right to assign work under section 7106(a)(2)(B) of the Statute. See Patent and Trademark Office, 39 FLRA 783, 789-90 (1991) (proposal requiring delegation of signatory authority to GS-13 examiners held to directly interfere with the right to assign work under section 7106(a)(2)(B)). On the other hand, proposals that preserve management's discretion as to the employees to whom it will assign particular duties are negotiable. See Defense Mapping Agency, Louisville, Kentucky, 39 FLRA 1169, 1189-90 (1991). Because Proposal 9 does not restrict management's ability to designate the persons who will serve as observers, we find, consistent with Defense Mapping Agency, Louisville, Kentucky, that the proposal does not directly interfere with management's right to assign work under section 7106(a)(2)(B).

Moreover, proposals that direct management to assign a particular number of employees to a particular task directly interfere with management's right to determine the numbers of employees assigned to a work project under section 7106(b)(1) of the Statute. See Patent and Trademark Office, 39 FLRA at 805 and 825. Proposals that preserve management's discretion as to the numbers of employees to assign to a work project or tour of duty do not directly interfere with management's right under section 7106(b)(1). See National Federation of Federal Employees, Local 2058 and U.S. Department of the Army, Aberdeen Proving Ground Support Activity, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, 38 FLRA 1389, 1393-96 (1991) (Aberdeen Proving Ground Support Activity). Because Proposal 9 does not restrict management's ability to determine the number of employees who could be an observer or who could observe a particular specimen collection, we find, consistent with Aberdeen Proving Ground Support Activity, that the proposal does not directly interfere with management's right to determine the numbers, types and grades of employees assigned to a work project under section 7106(b)(1) of the Statute.

Accordingly, we find that Proposal 9 is negotiable.

XI.     Proposal 10

The Union officials and stewards will be given the same training as supervisors.

Proposal 11

Employees will be given biannual training sessions on the ills of substance abuse.

A. Positions of the Parties

1. Agency

The Agency interprets Proposal 10 as requiring management "to provide specific training on drug testing to union officials and stewards." Agency Statement at 20. The Agency interprets Proposal 11 as requiring management "to train employees to be knowledgeable of the consequences of substance abuse so that employees will not use drugs and, thereby, will someday eliminate the need for drug testing." Id. at 21. The Agency contends that, because the proposals require training for unit employees and determine the content of that training, the proposals directly interfere with management's right to assign work under section 7106(a)(2)(B) of the Statute.

2. Union

The Union explains that the intent of Proposals 10 and 11 is "to ensure that TDP employees, [U]nion officials, [U]nion stewards and management are all fully aware and understand the procedure to be used during drug testing." Union Response at 9. The Union indicates that the drug testing program will be implemented smoothly if all personnel involved are "fully aware of what is required of them." Id. The Union also notes that a drug free workplace will be achieved more easily by a combination of education and drug testing. The Union concludes that the proposals constitute negotiable procedures under section 7106(b)(2) of the Statute.

B. Analysis and Conclusions

By their terms, and as explained by the Union, Proposals 10 and 11 would require the Agency to provide training in the drug testing program to Union representatives and to unit employees. There is no evidence in the record that the proposals are intended to instruct employees who have responsibilities in the drug testing program as to how to accomplish those responsibilities, that the proposals are intended directly to affect, or would directly affect, employees' work performance, or that the proposals are intended to increase the knowledge, proficiency, skill and qualifications of employees in the performance of their official duties. See American Federation of Government Employees, Local 3407 and U.S. Department of Defense, Defense Mapping Agency, Hydrographic-Topographic, Washington, D.C., 39 FLRA 557 (1991) (Defense Mapping Agency). Rather, as explained by the Union, the proposals are intended only to educate or inform Union representatives and unit employees as to the operation of the drug testing procedures.

Proposals that require management to provide union representatives and unit employees with training in the agency's drug testing program, to the extent that they merely require management to provide information and do not involve instruction in the duties of employees' positions, do not directly interfere with management's right to assign work under section 7106(a)(2)(B) of the Statute. See U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration, 40 FLRA 690, 713-16 (1991) (Federal Aviation Administration); National Treasury Employees Union and U.S. Department of the Treasury, Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C., 39 FLRA 1532, 1535-36 (1991) (Internal Revenue Service); Defense Mapping Agency, 39 FLRA at 559-66. Because Proposals 10 and 11 merely require management to provide Union representatives and unit employees training in, and information about, the operation of drug testing procedures, we find, consistent with Federal Aviation Administration, Internal Revenue Service, and Defense Mapping Agency, that the proposals do not directly interfere with management's right to assign work. Consequently, we conclude that Proposals 10 and 11 are negotiable.

XII. Order

The Agency shall, upon request, or as otherwise agreed to by the parties, bargain on the second sentence of Proposal 5; the first and third sentences of Proposal 6; Proposal 8; Proposal 9; Proposal 10; and Proposal 11.(*) The petition for review as to Proposal 1; Proposal 2; Proposal 3; Proposal 4; the first sentence of Proposal 5; the second sentence of Proposal 6; and Proposal 7 is dismissed.

 




FOOTNOTES:
(If blank, the decision does not have footnotes.)
 

*/ In finding these proposals to be negotiable, we make no judgment as to their merits.