DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE OKLAHOMA RURAL DEVELOPMENT STILLWATER, OKLAHOMA and LOCAL 3354, AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO

    Local 3354, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO (Union) filed a request for assistance with the Federal Service Impasses Panel (Panel) to consider a negotiation impasse under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (Statute), 5 U.S.C. § 7119 between it and the Department of Agriculture (USDA), Oklahoma Rural Development(RD), Stillwater, Oklahoma (Employer).

    Following an investigation of the request for assistance, which arose during negotiations on an "interim" agreement, the Panel determined that the dispute over Union travel and per diem expenses should be resolved through written submissions from the parties. After considering the entire record, the Panel would take whatever action it deems appropriate to resolve the impasse, including the issuance of a binding decision. Written submissions were made pursuant to this procedure, and the Panel has now considered the entire record.

     The Employer proposes the following wording:

1) Both parties will contribute to the reasonable costs of Union travel and per diem for representational purposes. Whenever possible and most economical, such travel within Oklahoma shall be by GSA vehicle, or by privately owned vehicle (POV) when no GSA car is available. For its share, the State Office will contribute up to $6,000 for fiscal year 2000. This will cover reasonable travel in connection with proceedings of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (Authority) and the Federal Service Impasses Panel (Panel). It will also include: costs associated with preparation for and participation in bargaining on a full term contract; costs associated with joint training Partnership and Alternative Dispute Resolution; costs for use of GSA vehicles and mileage for use of privately owned vehicles when GSA cars are unavailable. Within the FY 2000 limit specified above, the State Office will also pay for hotel expenses when a grievance or disciplinary meeting cannot be completed in one day.

For its share, the Union shall pay for the meals and incidental expenses of stewards who travel outside the geographic area of responsibility assigned by the Union to represent employees in grievances and similar matters, e.g., disciplinary replies. The Union will pay all travel associated with Union sponsored training, lobbying activities outside the State of Oklahoma, and any Union decision to voluntarily take on a representational role in third party proceedings other than those before the Authority or the Panel.

2) For future fiscal years, the State Office will request funding from the National Office of an amount equal to that received for FY 2000. If the National Office doesn’t provide the amount requested, the State Office will give the same consideration to Union travel needs as to other travel requirements within the funds actually received, whether by continuing resolution or by full fiscal allotment.