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Return to Article: Union suggests timetable for GAO organizing effort

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  As a retired federal government employee, I have seen the definition of "supervisor" fluctuate over the years simply to match the political needs of management and the White House. The pressure to eliminate mid-level supervisors to improve the employee to supervisor ratio has always created some imaginative redefining of words and duties as Comptroller Walker has ably done with his Band IIB personnel.

  The legal definition of a supervisor in the federal government is one who has signatory authority for approving annual and sick leave and validating time cards. If you can't do that, then you aren't a supervisor but easily could be a manager of a large group of people and lead some complex programs. In the past, many true supervisors were renamed to "group leaders or managers" to obtain better ratios but they then lost their official signing authority. They could only advise their supervisor on employee performance ratings and other personnel issues plus they could be union members if they wished.

  Mr. Walker can't have it both ways - if his Band IIB people can't be in the union because he says they are supervisors, then he should give those employees higher pay, the title, and the responsibility and authority that goes with the position. This dual definition is a common ploy within the government to prevent and bust unions, increase management control, and to suppress pay levels.

  Mr. Walker is only carrying on this tradition with his current successes at the GAO and setting a fine example for the rest of the government.

  Bill Posted July 11, 2007 9:07 AM
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  What kind of judge sets a date for management to provide the union specific documents and then expects the union to be able to raise "disputes" the next day? The PAB is farcical in its attemot to appear to be disinterested.

  Paul Posted July 10, 2007 1:33 PM