[ v03 p737 ]
03:0737(117)NG
The decision of the Authority follows:
3 FLRA No. 117 CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH EMPLOYEES ASSOCIATION Union and THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Agency Case No. 0-NG-66 DECISION ON NEGOTIABILITY ISSUES THIS CASE COMES BEFORE THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY (THE AUTHORITY) PURSUANT TO SECTION 7105(A)(2)(E) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (THE STATUTE) (5 U.S.C. 7101 ET SEQ.). THE UNION SUBMITTED A MULTISECTION PROPOSAL TO THE AGENCY CONCERNING A REORGANIZATION OF THE AMERICAN LAW DIVISION OF THE CONGRESSIONAL RESEARCH SERVICE OF THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS WHICH IS REPRINTED IN ITS ENTIRETY IN APPENDIX A. SECTION 1 OF THE UNION PROPOSAL SECTION 1 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL REQUIRES THE AGENCY TO CREATE FOUR SECTIONS INSTEAD OF TWO IN ITS AMERICAN LAW DIVISION AND MANDATES THAT EACH SECTION BE ASSIGNED A SECTION COORDINATOR. QUESTION HERE BEFORE THE AUTHORITY THE QUESTION IS WHETHER SECTION 1 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL VIOLATES THE RIGHT OF THE AGENCY TO DETERMINE ITS ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 7106(A)(1) OF THE STATUTE, /1/ AS ALLEGED BY THE AGENCY. OPINION CONCLUSION: SECTION 1 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL VIOLATES MANAGEMENT'S RIGHT TO DETERMINE IT ORGANIZATION UNDER SECTION 7106(A)(1) OF THE STATUTE. ACCORDINGLY, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2424.10 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS, 5 C.F.R. 2424.10 (1980), THE AGENCY'S ALLEGATION THAT SECTION 1 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL IS NOT WITHIN THE DUTY TO BARGAIN IS SUSTAINED. REASONS: SECTION 1 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL STATES THAT "(T)HE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES SHALL TAKE PLACE IN THE AMERICAN LAW DIVISION . . ." AND, THAT "(F)OUR SECTIONS FOR ATTORNEYS WILL BE CREATED IN PLACE OF THE PRESENT TWO." THEREAFTER, SECTION 1 WOULD ESTABLISH WHAT SECTIONS WILL BE PART OF THE AMERICAN LAW DIVISION AND EACH SECTION'S SUBSTANTIVE AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY. SECTION 1 CONCLUDES BY PROVIDING THAT "(E)ACH SECTION WILL HAVE ASSIGNED TO IT A SECTION COORDINATOR." THE PLAIN LANGUAGE OF SECTION 1 WOULD REQUIRE THE AGENCY TO ADOPT A CERTAIN ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE. SECTION 7106(A)(1), HOWEVER, EXPRESSLY RESERVES TO MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS OF ANY AGENCY THE RIGHT TO DETERMINE THE ORGANIZATION OF THE AGENCY. THUS, SECTION 1 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL CLEARLY VIOLATES THE AGENCY'S RIGHT UNDER SECTION 7106(A)(1) OF THE STATUTE TO DETERMINE THE "ORGANIZATION" OF THE AGENCY. HENCE, THE AGENCY'S ALLEGATION THAT SECTION 1 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL IS NOT WITHIN THE DUTY TO BARGAIN IS SUSTAINED. SECTION 2 OF THE UNION PROPOSAL SECTION 2 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL SEEKS TO ESTABLISH THAT SECTION COORDINATORS ARE NOT SUPERVISORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 7103(A)(10) OF THE STATUTE. /2/ QUESTION HERE BEFORE THE AUTHORITY THE QUESTION IS WHETHER SECTION 2 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL IS PROPERLY BEFORE THE AUTHORITY AT THIS TIME. OPINION CONCLUSION: SECTION 2 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL IS NOT PROPERLY BEFORE THE AUTHORITY AT THIS TIME BECAUSE IT SEEKS TO RESOLVE A DISPUTE AS TO WHETHER SECTION COORDINATORS ARE SUPERVISORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 7103(A)(10) OF THE STATUE. SUCH MATTERS SHOULD PROPERLY BE ADDRESSED IN THE CONTEXT OF A CLARIFICATION OF UNIT (CU) PETITION, /3/ RATHER THAN A NEGOTIABILITY APPEAL. ACCORDINGLY, SECTION 2 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL IS DENIED WITHOUT PASSING ON THE MERITS AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE FILING OF A PETITION FOR REVIEW OF ANY NEGOTIABILITY ISSUE WHICH MAY REMAIN AFTER THE QUESTION AS TO WHETHER SECTION COORDINATORS ARE SUPERVISORS IS RESOLVED THROUGH A CU PETITION. REASONS: THE RECORD BEFORE THE AUTHORITY IN THIS CASE ESTABLISHES THAT SECTION 2 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL SEEKS TO SETTLE A FACTUAL DISAGREEMENT BETWEEN THE UNION AND THE AGENCY CONCERNING WHETHER SECTION COORDINATORS ARE SUPERVISORS. IN THIS CONNECTION, THE LANGUAGE OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL STATES CATEGORICALLY THAT SECTION COORDINATORS ARE NOT SUPERVISORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE STATUTE BECAUSE THEY LACK AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER EXISTING JOB DESCRIPTIONS TO HIRE, FIRE, DIRECT, PROMOTE, REWARD, TRANSFER, FURLOUGH, LAYOFF, RECALL, SUSPEND, DISCIPLINE OR REMOVE EMPLOYEES. THE AGENCY, ON THE OTHER HAND, ASSERTS THAT SECTION COORDINATORS ARE SUPERVISORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE STATUTE BECAUSE OF CERTAIN DUTIES THEY PERFORM. UNDER THESE CIRCUMSTANCES, THE APPROPRIATE MECHANISM WHEREBY AN AGENCY OR A LABOR ORGANIZATION CAN SEEK AN INDEPENDENT DETERMINATION ON SUCH MATTERS WOULD BE A CU PETITION FILED PURSUANT TO SECTION 2422.2(C) OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS, 5 C.F.R. 2422.2(C)(1980). SECTION 3 TO 12 OF THE UNION PROPOSAL (APART FROM SECTION 8) SECTIONS 3 TO 12 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL, APART FROM SECTION 8, WHICH IS ADDRESSED SEPARATELY HEREIN, CONCERN THE APPLICABILITY OF MERIT PAY TO SECTION COORDINATORS; THE DUTIES OF SECTION COORDINATORS; SELECTION PROCEDURES FOR SECTION COORDINATORS; RELIEF FROM SECTION COORDINATOR DUTIES; AND OTHER MATTERS REGARDING SECTION COORDINATORS. QUESTION HERE BEFORE THE AUTHORITY THE QUESTION IS WHETHER THESE SECTIONS OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL ARE PROPERLY BEFORE THE AUTHORITY AT THIS TIME. OPINION CONCLUSION: SECTION 3 TO 12 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL, APART FROM SECTION 8, ARE DEPENDENT IN SUBSTANCE ON A DETERMINATION OF WHETHER SECTION COORDINATORS ARE SUPERVISORS, UNDER PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY IN SECTION 2422.2(C) OF ITS RULES AND REGULATIONS, 5 C.F.R. 2422.2(C)(1980). /4/ ACCORDINGLY, THAT PORTION OF THE UNION'S APPEAL RELATING TO THESE SECTIONS DOES NOT PRESENT ISSUES THAT THE AUTHORITY CAN APPROPRIATELY RESOLVE AT THIS TIME UNDER SECTION 7117 OF THE STATUTE AND PART 2424 OF ITS RULES AND REGULATIONS. THEREFORE, THE APPEAL AS TO THESE SECTIONS IS DENIED WITHOUT PASSING ON THE MERITS AND WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE FILING OF A PETITION FOR REVIEW OF ANY NEGOTIABILITY ISSUE WHICH MAY REMAIN AFTER THE QUESTION OF WHETHER THE SECTION COORDINATORS ARE SUPERVISORS IS RESOLVED THROUGH THE APPROPRIATE PROCEDURES AS PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED IN CONNECTION WITH SECTION 2 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL. REASONS: THE RECORD INDICATES THAT SECTION 3 TO 12 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL, APART FROM THE AFOREMENTIONED SECTION 8, ARE DERIVATIVE OF SECTION 2, PREVIOUSLY DISCUSSED, HEREIN, AND ALL ASSUME THAT SECTION COORDINATORS ARE NOT SUPERVISORS AS PROVIDED BY SECTION 2. UNTIL THE QUESTION OF WHETHER SECTION COORDINATORS ARE SUPERVISORS OR NOT IS RESOLVED UNDER PROCEDURES ESTABLISHED BY THE AUTHORITY IN SECTION 2422.2(C) OF ITS RULES AND REGULATIONS, 5 C.F.R. 2422.2(C)(1980), THE AUTHORITY WILL NOT DECIDE ANY NEGOTIABILITY ISSUES WHICH WOULD BE PRESENTED IF IT WERE DETERMINED THAT SECTION COORDINATORS ARE NOT SUPERVISORS UNDER THE STATUTE. FURTHERMORE, WITH RESPECT TO SECTION 3 OF THE PROPOSAL, CONCERNED WITH "MERIT PAY," IT IS NOTED THAT THE AUTHORITY DETERMINED ON APRIL 1, 1980, THAT AN INTERPRETATION OF THE STATUTE WAS WARRANTED ON THE FOLLOWING: WHAT IS THE IMPACT, IF ANY, OF AN AGENCY DETERMINATION THAT AN EMPLOYEE IS A SUPERVISOR OR MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL FOR PURPOSES OF COVERAGE UNDER THE "MERIT PAY" PROVISIONS OF THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 1978 (92 STAT. 1179) ON SUCH EMPLOYEE'S INCLUSION IN A UNIT OF EXCLUSIVE RECOGNITION UNDER SECTION 7112 OF THE STATUTE (92 STAT. 1200)? IN VIEW OF THE PENDENCY OF THIS MATTER, ISSUANCE OF ITS INTERPRETATION BY THE AUTHORITY WOULD BE AN ADDITIONAL PREREQUISITE TO THE CONSIDERATION OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL CONCERNING THE APPLICABILITY OF MERIT PAY TO SECTION COORDINATORS. THAT IS, THE AUTHORITY FINDS THAT THE UNION'S APPEAL IS PREMATURELY FILED, AND THUS, THE CONDITIONS FOR REVIEW OF THE ISSUE SOUGHT TO BE PRESENTED, PURSUANT TO SECTION 7117 OF THE STATUTE AND PART 2424 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS, HAVE NOT BEEN MET. THERE ARE SOUND POLICY REASONS FOR SO FINDING. THE RESOLUTION OF THE MATTER OF THE SUPERVISORY STATUS OF SECTION COORDINATORS COULD RESULT IN A DETERMINATION WHICH WOULD RENDER MOOT THE NEGOTIABILITY ISSUES HEREIN AND AVOID AN UNWARRANTED PROLIFERATION OF CASES BEFORE THE AUTHORITY. ON THE OTHER HAND, WERE THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE THAT SECTIONS 3 TO 12, EXCLUDING SECTION 8, ARE NEGOTIABLE WHILE THE QUESTION OF THE SUPERVISORY STATUS OF SECTION COORDINATORS REMAINED TO BE RESOLVED, SUCH AUTHORITY DECISION WOULD LACK FINALITY. /5/ IN THIS REGARD, SECTION 2429.10 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS, 5 C.F.R. 2429.10 (1980), PROVIDES THAT "THE AUTHORITY . . . WILL NOT ISSUE ADVISORY OPINIONS." ACCORDINGLY, THAT PORTION OF THE UNION'S APPEAL RELATING TO SECTION 3 TO 12 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL, EXCLUDING SECTION 8, IS HEREBY DENIED, WITHOUT PREJUDICE TO THE RENEWAL OF THE UNION'S APPEAL UNDER THE STATUTE, IN A PETITION FILED WITH THE AUTHORITY, AFTER THE QUESTION OF THE SUPERVISORY STATUS OF THE SECTION COORDINATORS HEREIN IS RESOLVED UNDER APPLICABLE PROCEDURES OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS. SECTION 8 OF THE UNION PROPOSAL SECTION 8 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL PROVIDES THAT RESEARCHERS WILL BE FREE TO ACCEPT ASSIGNMENTS FROM ALL SECTIONS OF THE AMERICAN LAW DIVISION AND ASSIGNS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS IN ASSIGNMENTS AND WORKLOAD TO THE ASSISTANT DIVISION CHIEF. QUESTION HERE BEFORE THE AUTHORITY THE QUESTION IS WHETHER SECTION 8 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL VIOLATES THE RIGHT OF THE AGENCY TO ASSIGN WORK UNDER SECTION 7106(A)(2)(B) OF THE STATUTE, /6/ AS ALLEGED BY THE AGENCY. OPINION CONCLUSION: SECTION 8 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL VIOLATES THE RIGHT OF THE AGENCY TO ASSIGN WORK UNDER SECTION 7106(A)(2)(B) OF THE STATUTE. ACCORDINGLY, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2424.10 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS, 5 C.F.R. 2424.10 (1980), THE AGENCY'S ALLEGATION THAT SECTION 8 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL IS NOT WITHIN THE DUTY TO BARGAIN IS SUSTAINED. REASONS: THE RECORD INDICATES THAT SECTION 8 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL WOULD EXPRESSLY CONDITION MANAGEMENT'S ASSIGNMENT OF WORK BY PROVIDING THAT ANY RESEARCHER WILL BE FREE TO ACCEPT ASSIGNMENTS FROM SECTIONS OF THE AMERICAN LAW DIVISION OTHER THAN THE SECTION TO WHICH THE RESEARCHER HAS BEEN ASSIGNED. FURTHER, IT WOULD COMPEL THE ASSISTANT DIVISION CHIEF TO RESOLVE CONFLICTS IN ASSIGNMENTS AND WORKLOAD AS MAY ARISE IN THE ASSIGNMENT OF WORK. THE AGENCY RETAINS THE RIGHT UNDER SECTION 7106(A)(2)(B) OF THE STATUTE TO ASSIGN WORK TO EMPLOYEES. /7/ SECTION 8 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL, HOWEVER, WOULD ESTABLISH CONDITIONS (RESEARCHERS ARE FREE TO ACCEPT ASSIGNMENTS FROM ALL SECTIONS AND CONFLICTS ARISING IN CONNECTION THEREWITH WILL BE RESOLVED BY THE ASSISTANT DIVISION CHIEF) UPON WHICH MANAGEMENT'S ABILITY TO ASSIGN THE WORK INVOLVED WOULD BE CONTINGENT. SECTION 8 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL THEREBY WOULD ELIMINATE THE DISCRETION INHERENT IN MANAGEMENT'S RIGHT TO ASSIGN WORK, I.E., WHICH RESEARCHER WILL BE ASSIGNED WHAT WORK, AS WELL AS PRESCRIBING A NAMED POSITION TO RESOLVE WORK ASSIGNMENT RELATED DISPUTES. THUS, BECAUSE SECTION 8 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL WOULD CONDITION MANAGEMENT'S RIGHT TO ASSIGN CERTAIN WORK TO EMPLOYEES AND WOULD REQUIRE THE INCUMBENT OF A NAMED POSITION TO PERFORM CERTAIN WORK, I.E., TO SETTLE DISPUTES RELATING TO WORK ASSIGNMENTS, IT CONFLICTS WITH SECTION 7106(A)(2)(B) OF THE STATUTE. ACCORDINGLY, THE AGENCY'S ALLEGATION THAT SECTION 8 OF THE UNION'S PROPOSAL IS NOT WITHIN THE DUTY TO BARGAIN IS SUSTAINED. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., JULY 30, 1980 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY APPENDIX A 1. THE FOLLOWING ORGANIZATIONAL CHANGES SHALL TAKE PLACE IN THE AMERICAN LAW DIVISION EFFECTIVE MAY 1, 1978. FOUR SECTIONS FOR ATTORNEYS WILL BE CREATED IN PLACE OF THE PRESENT TWO. A. A SECTION RESPONSIBLE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE, FREEDOM OF INFORMATION AND PRIVACY, HEALTH AND WELFARE LAW, INDIAN LAW, LABOR LAW, AND PROCUREMENT LAW. B. A SECTION RESPONSIBLE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS AND LIBERTIES, CHURCH-STATE RELATIONS, COURTS AND THE JUDICIARY, CRIMINAL LAW, EQUAL RIGHTS, AND JUDICIAL PROCEDURE. C. A SECTION RESPONSIBLE FOR ANTITRUST, ENVIRONMENTAL LAW, TAXATION, CONSUMER PROTECTION, AND COMMERCIAL LAW. D. A SECTION RESPONSIBLE FOR CONGRESS, CONFLICTS OF INTEREST, ELECTION LAW, INTERNATIONAL LAW, AND PARLIAMENTARY LAW. THE VIEWS OF INDIVIDUAL ATTORNEYS SHALL BE TAKEN INTO ACCOUNT IN MAKING ASSIGNMENTS TO SECTIONS. EACH SECTION WILL HAVE ASSIGNED TO IT A SECTION COORDINATOR. 2. IT IS AGREED THAT SECTION COORDINATORS ARE NOT SUPERVISORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 1978 SINCE THEY LACK AUTHORITY AND RESPONSIBILITY UNDER EXISTING JOB DESCRIPTIONS TO HIRE, FIRE, DIRECT, PROMOTE, REWARD, TRANSFER, FURLOUGH, LAYOFF, RECALL, SUSPEND, DISCIPLINE OR REMOVE EMPLOYEES. 3. BECAUSE SECTION COORDINATORS ARE NOT SUPERVISORS WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 1978, THEY SHALL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE MERIT PAY PROVISIONS OF THAT LAW. 4. SECTION COORDINATOR DUTIES SHALL BE AS FOLLOWS: A. TO ASSIST THE DIVISION CHIEF IN DIRECTING AND COORDINATING THE RESEARCH WORK OF LOWER-GRADE ANALYSTS ASSIGNED TO WORK IN THE FIELD, ADVISING THEM AS TO THE SOURCES, SCOPE AND TREATMENT OF PROBLEMS, AND REVIEWING AND EVALUATING THEIR COMPLETED WORK. B. TO PROVIDE INPUT FOR CRS MANAGEMENT CONCERNING THE SELECTION OF ALL NEW EMPLOYEES OF A LOWER GRADE; THE PROMOTION OR REASSIGNMENT OF SECTION ANALYSTS OF A LOWER GRADE, AND PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS AND WITHIN-GRADE DETERMINATIONS FOR ANALYSTS OF A LOWER GRADE. 5. REVIEW, COORDINATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE WORK OF ANALYSTS OF THE SAME GRADE OR A HIGHER GRADE THAN SECTION COORDINATORS SHALL BE THE ULTIMATE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE DIVISION CHIEF OR ASSISTANT DIVISION CHIEF. 6. TO PROVIDE PROCEDURES FOR THE SELECTION OF SECTION COORDINATORS, MANAGEMENT SHALL ISSUE A MEMORANDUM CONTAINING THE FOLLOWING PROCEDURES: A. A STATEMENT THAT MANAGEMENT INTENDS TO SELECT SECTION COORDINATORS FOR DESIGNATED SECTIONS. B. A STATEMENT SPECIFYING THE AREAS OF COORDINATION OF THE SECTION COORDINATOR; THE MINIMUM AND DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS, AND THE MAIN FACTORS GOVERNING SELECTION. C. A STATEMENT THAT SELECTION SHALL BE MADE ON A NON-DISCRIMINATORY BASIS. D. A STATEMENT THAT SECTION COORDINATOR IS NOT A SUPERVISORY POSITION WITHIN THE MEANING OF TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 1978, AND THAT SECTION COORDINATORS WILL NOT BE SUBJECT TO THE WITHIN-GRADE AND COST-OF-LIVING INCREASE LIMITATIONS OF THE MERIT PAY PROVISIONS OF THE ACT. E. A STATEMENT INVITING INTERESTED INDIVIDUALS WITHIN THE DIVISION TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS AND TO BE INTERVIEWED. F. A STATEMENT THAT INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NOT APPLY FOR THIS SELECTION SHALL NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, BE DESIGNATED AS SECTION COORDINATORS. THE INDIVIDUALS SHALL NOT BE PRECLUDED FROM APPLYING OR BEING CONSIDERED IN THE FUTURE. G. A STATEMENT THAT THOSE SELECTED AS SECTION COORDINATORS MAY BE RELIEVED OF SECTION COORDINATOR'S DUTIES UPON THEIR REQUEST, OR AFTER CONSULTATION WITH MANAGEMENT, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT RELIEF FROM SUCH DUTIES SHALL NOT REFLECT ADVERSELY UPON THE INDIVIDUAL IN ANY WAY. 7. MANAGEMENT SHALL SELECT SECTION COORDINATORS ON THE BASIS OF QUALIFICATIONS, FOLLOWING COMPETITION AMONG 11 INTERESTED APPLICANTS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS SET OUT IN SECTION 5 OF THIS AGREEMENT. THEREAFTER, MANAGEMENT SHALL ISSUE A MEMORANDUM INFORMING DIVISION STAFF OF THE PERSONS SELECTED AS SECTION COORDINATORS. 8. IT IS CONTEMPLATED THAT RESEARCHERS WILL BE FREE TO ACCEPT ASSIGNMENTS FROM ALL SECTIONS. CONFLICTS IN ASSIGNMENTS AND WORKLOAD WILL BE RESOLVED BY THE ASSISTANT DIVISION CHIEF. 9. SECTION COORDINATOR POSITIONS SHALL BE ROTATED EVERY 18 MONTHS TO TWO YEARS. 10. WHENEVER SECTION COORDINATOR VACANCIES OCCUR, OR ROTATIONS TAKE PLACE, SELECTION OF REPLACEMENTS SHALL BE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROCEDURES SET OUT IN PARAGRAPH 5 OF THIS AGREEMENT. 11. PERSONS SELECTED AS SECTION COORDINATORS MAY BE RELIEVED OF SECTION COORDINATOR DUTIES UPON THEIR REQUEST, OR AFTER CONSULTATION WITH MANAGEMENT WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT RELIEF FROM SUCH DUTIES SHALL NOT REFLECT ADVERSELY UPON THE INDIVIDUAL IN ANY WAY. 12. THE EXERCISE OF SECTION COORDINATOR DUTIES WILL NEITHER HELP NOR HINDER THE POSSIBILITIES FOR GS-15 ATTORNEYS TO BE PROMOTED TO GS-16. /1/ SECTION 7106(A)(1) OF THE STATUTE PROVIDES, IN PERTINENT PART, AS FOLLOWS: SEC. 7106. MANAGEMENT RIGHTS (A) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, NOTHING IN THIS CHAPTER SHALL AFFECT THE AUTHORITY OF ANY MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL OF ANY AGENCY-- (1) TO DETERMINE THE . . . ORGANIZATION . . . OF THE AGENCY(.) /2/ SECTION 7103(A)(10) OF THE STATUTE PROVIDES, IN PERTINENT PART, AS FOLLOWS: "SUPERVISOR" MEANS AN INDIVIDUAL EMPLOYED BY AN AGENCY HAVING AUTHORITY IN THE INTEREST OF THE AGENCY TO HIRE, DIRECT, ASSIGN, PROMOTE, REWARD, TRANSFER, FURLOUGH, LAYOFF, RECALL, SUSPEND, DISCIPLINE, OR REMOVE EMPLOYEES, TO ADJUST THEIR GRIEVANCES, OR TO EFFECTIVELY RECOMMEND SUCH ACTION, IF THE EXERCISE OF THE AUTHORITY IS NOT MERELY ROUTINE OR CLERICAL IN NATURE BUT REQUIRES THE CONSISTENT EXERCISE OF INDEPENDENT JUDGMENT . . . (.) /3/ SECTION 2422.2(C) OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS, 5 C.F.R. SEC. 2422.2(C)(1980), PROVIDES, IN PERTINENT PART, AS FOLLOWS: (C) PETITION FOR CLARIFICATION OF UNIT . . . A PETITION FOR CLARIFICATION OF UNIT . . . SHALL BE SUBMITTED ON A FORM PRESCRIBED BY THE AUTHORITY AND SHALL CONTAIN . . . (1) A DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT UNIT AND THE DATE OF RECOGNITION OR CERTIFICATION; (2) THE PROPOSED CLARIFICATION . . . ; AND (3) A STATEMENT OF REASONS WHY THE PROPOSED CLARIFICATION . . . IS REQUESTED. /4/ SEE NOTE 3, SUPRA. /5/ AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, LOCAL 1661 AND DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, BUREAU OF PRISONS, FEDERAL CORRECTIONAL INSTITUTION, DANBURY, CONNECTICUT, CASE NO. 0-NG-43, 2 FLRA NO. 56 (JANUARY 9, 1980). /6/ SECTION 7106(A)(2)(B) OF THE STATUTE PROVIDES, IN PERTINENT PART, AS FOLLOWS: SEC. 7106. MANAGEMENT RIGHTS (A) SUBJECT TO SUBSECTION (B) OF THIS SECTION, NOTHING IN THIS CHAPTER SHALL AFFECT THE AUTHORITY OF ANY MANAGEMENT OFFICIAL OF ANY AGENCY-- * * * * (2) IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS-- * * * * (B) TO ASSIGN WORK . . . (.) /7/ AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO AND AIR FORCE LOGISTICS COMMAND, WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, OHIO, CASE NO. 0-NG-40, 2 FLRA NO. 77 (JANUARY 31, 1980), AT 20 OF THE DECISION; AND NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD UNION, LOCAL 19 AND NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS BOARD, REGION 19, CASE NO. 0-NG-131, 2 FLRA NO. 98 (MARCH 7, 1980), AT 3 OF THE DECISION.