Perspectives Limited Power
Federal unions have very limited rights when it comes to outsourcing actions. Decisions about how work is organized, the number of employees, and how work is assigned to employees are generally considered management prerogatives. Private firms can protest contracting decisions to the comptroller general and to the courts. Unions cannot.
| Management Action | Union Rights |
|---|---|
| Designating jobs as potential outsourcing candidates | Can't file grievance or negotiate. Can file appeal to agency head. |
| Deciding which jobs to compete | Can't negotiate. Grievance unlikely to succeed. |
| Competing jobs | Can negotiate procedures for mitigating adverse effects or grieve, if management doesn't follow bargaining agreement rules. |
| Deciding to outsource jobs | Can't file grievance or negotiate. Can file internal procedural appeal but not outside appeals. |
| Laying off employees | Can file grievance or negotiate to mitigate adverse effects. |
Source: Office of Personnel Management
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