GAO, union reach interim bargaining agreement

The deal, subject to ratification by the entire bargaining unit, covers the operations of International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers Local 1921 and employee rights. Union officials and GAO managers decided these issues had to be addressed before entering negotiations on a comprehensive contract.

A ratification vote is expected by mid-October.

"We have worked hard to build and maintain union and management relations here at GAO, and I am very pleased we were able to reach a good agreement and reach it quickly," said Gene Dodaro, acting comptroller general.

GAO analysts voted overwhelmingly in September 2007 to form the union, marking a first in the agency's 87-year history. The push to unionize was largely a response to sweeping personnel reforms in 2005 that divided analysts into salary bands and eliminated cost-of-living increases for many. President Bush earlier this month signed legislation that would grant lump-sum payments to more than 300 analysts denied raises in 2006 and 2007.

The interim agreement gives employees the right to request informal meetings with their managers to resolve disputes before they become grievances, and allows employees to request union representation at formal discussions and information resolution meetings. It also provides for neutral third-party arbitration of grievance decisions.

The pact, which will remain in effect until a master collective bargaining agreement is reached, authorizes a bank of hours that officers, interim council members and designees can use to carry out representational activities.

"We are pleased with the developing relationship between the union and management and feel this agreement achieves some significant gains for GAO employees," said Ronald La Due Lake, chairman of the union's interim council.