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41:1268(98)CA - - HHS, SSA, Baltimore, MD and AFGE - - 1991 FLRAdec CA - - v41 p1268

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[ v41 p1268 ]
41:1268(98)CA
The decision of the Authority follows:


41 FLRA No. 98

FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

(Respondent)

and

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

AFL-CIO

(Charging Party/Union)

8-CA-80454

DECISION

August 23, 1991

Before Chairman McKee and Members Talkin and Armendariz.

I. Statement of the Case

This unfair labor practice case is before the Authority on exceptions filed by the Respondent to the attached decision of the Administrative Law Judge. The General Counsel filed an opposition to the Respondent's exceptions.

The complaint alleged that the Respondent violated section 7116(a)(1) and (5) of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (the Statute) by unilaterally changing working conditions of the employees at its Chula Vista, California Office. In particular, the complaint alleged that the Respondent violated the Statute by relocating the office without first completing bargaining with the Union over the impact and implementation of the change, including the allocation of space and facilities to conduct Union activities. The Judge found that the Respondent committed the unfair labor practice as alleged.

Pursuant to section 2423.29 of the Authority's Rules and Regulations and section 7118 of the Statute, we have reviewed the rulings of the Judge made at the hearing and find that no prejudicial error was committed. We affirm the rulings. Upon consideration of the Judge's decision, the exceptions, and the entire record, we adopt the Judge's findings, conclusions and recommended Order.

We agree with the Judge that the Respondent violated section 7116(a)(1) and (5) of the Statute when it refused to bargain over the impact and implementation of the relocation of its Chula Vista District Office. Specifically, the Respondent refused to enter into impact and implementation bargaining with the Union regarding allocation of space and facilities to conduct Union activities at the new office location. See U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland, 41 FLRA 339 (1991); Internal Revenue Service, Washington, D.C., 39 FLRA 1568 (1991), petition for review filed sub nom. Internal Revenue Service v. FLRA, No. 91-1247 (D.C. Cir. May 24, 1991).

II. Order

Pursuant to section 2423.29 of the Federal Labor Relations Authority's Rules and Regulations and section 7118 of the Statute, the Department of Health and Human Services, Social Security Administration, Baltimore, Maryland shall:

1. Cease and desist from:

(a) Unilaterally changing conditions of employment by relocating its Chula Vista District Office without first bargaining with the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, the exclusive representative of its employees, over the impact and implementation of the changes, including the allocation of space and facilities to conduct Union activities.

(b) In any like or related manner interfering with, restraining or coercing its employees in the exercise of the rights assured them by the Federal Service Labor Relations Statute.

2. Take the following affirmative action in order to effectuate the purposes and policies of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute:

(a) Upon request, negotiate with the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, the exclusive representative of its employees, over the impact and implementation of the changes, including the allocation of space and facilities to conduct Union activities.

(b) Post at its Chula Vista, California District Office copies of the attached Notice on forms to be furnished by the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Upon receipt of such forms, they shall be signed by the District Office Manager and shall be posted and maintained for 60 consecutive days thereafter, in conspicuous places, including all bulletin boards and other places where notices to employees are customarily posted. Reasonable steps shall be taken to insure that such Notices are not altered, defaced, or covered by any other material.

(c) Pursuant to section 2423.30 of the Authority's Rules and Regulations, notify the Regional Director of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, San Francisco, California, 901 Market Street, Suite 220, San Francisco, California 94103, in writing, within 30 days from the date of this Order, as to what steps have been taken to comply herewith.

NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES

AS ORDERED BY THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY

AND TO EFFECTUATE THE POLICIES OF THE

FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE

WE NOTIFY OUR EMPLOYEES THAT:

WE WILL NOT unilaterally change conditions of employment by relocating our Chula Vista District Office without first bargaining with the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, the exclusive representative of our employees, over the impact and implementation of the changes, including the allocation of space and facilities to conduct Union activities.

WE WILL NOT in any like or related manner, interfere with, restrain, or coerce employees in the exercise of the rights assured them by the Federal Service Labor-management Relations Statute.

WE WILL upon request, negotiate with the American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, the exclusive representative of our employees, over the impact and implementation of the changes, including the allocation of space and facilities to conduct Union activities.

(Activity)

Dated: By:

(Signature) (Title)

This Notice must remain posted for 60 consecutive days from the date of posting, and must not be altered, defaced, or covered by any other material.

If employees have any questions concerning this Notice or compliance with its provisions, they may communicate directly with the Regional Director of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, San Francisco California, whose address is: 901 Market Street, Suite 220, San Francisco, California 94103, and whose telephone number is: (415) 744-4000.




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