1958 F.W.D.
05-18-2005, 09:17 PM
IAFF Stops Talks With DoD
May 17, 2005 - The International Association of Fire Fighters and five other unions, which together represent more than 80,000 Department of Defense (DoD) employees, have pulled out of “meet and confer” talks with the DoD over new rules that would change how civil service employees in the department are paid, promoted and disciplined. Representatives from those unions held a press conference today in Washington, DC.
IAFF 16th District Vice President Jim Johnson and representatives from the Metal Trades Department (AFL-CIO), National Federation of Federal Employees, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the National Association of Government Employees and the National Association of Independent Laborers called what has happened “a scam,” maintaining that DoD is not willing to bargain in good faith. “We will not sit back and let basic workers’ rights be taken away,” was the message echoed by the six unions represented at the press event.
IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger released a statement that said, “DoD is not sincere in its efforts to work with federal employee representatives to develop a new system that better protects our country. If it were, DoD would have followed the law rather than embarking on the unlawful course that has been chosen. DoD’s actions are illegal and we will fight them using every legal avenue available to us.”
“We, as a group, have put forth several alternatives to the DoD proposal,” said District Vice President Johnson. “But, they refuse to acknowledge employee rights. The lack of response is not acceptable and will not stand.”
In addition to withdrawing from the “meet and confer” talks, the IAFF is among 10 labor unions that filed a federal lawsuit against Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on February 23 for refusing to negotiate changes in its labor management system. The lawsuit maintains that while the department has the right to establish changes in its labor relations systems, by law, those changes must be done in collaboration with employees.
Problems between the two sides arose after the DoD told Congress it needs to change provisions of its personnel system in the name of national security. The proposal specifically states that it could issue a directive overriding a contract or any part of a contract. In addition, if the proposal is approved, collective bargaining would be restricted to the point that unions could not raise questions about numbers of employees, technology or means of performing work.
May 17, 2005 - The International Association of Fire Fighters and five other unions, which together represent more than 80,000 Department of Defense (DoD) employees, have pulled out of “meet and confer” talks with the DoD over new rules that would change how civil service employees in the department are paid, promoted and disciplined. Representatives from those unions held a press conference today in Washington, DC.
IAFF 16th District Vice President Jim Johnson and representatives from the Metal Trades Department (AFL-CIO), National Federation of Federal Employees, the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, the National Association of Government Employees and the National Association of Independent Laborers called what has happened “a scam,” maintaining that DoD is not willing to bargain in good faith. “We will not sit back and let basic workers’ rights be taken away,” was the message echoed by the six unions represented at the press event.
IAFF General President Harold Schaitberger released a statement that said, “DoD is not sincere in its efforts to work with federal employee representatives to develop a new system that better protects our country. If it were, DoD would have followed the law rather than embarking on the unlawful course that has been chosen. DoD’s actions are illegal and we will fight them using every legal avenue available to us.”
“We, as a group, have put forth several alternatives to the DoD proposal,” said District Vice President Johnson. “But, they refuse to acknowledge employee rights. The lack of response is not acceptable and will not stand.”
In addition to withdrawing from the “meet and confer” talks, the IAFF is among 10 labor unions that filed a federal lawsuit against Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld on February 23 for refusing to negotiate changes in its labor management system. The lawsuit maintains that while the department has the right to establish changes in its labor relations systems, by law, those changes must be done in collaboration with employees.
Problems between the two sides arose after the DoD told Congress it needs to change provisions of its personnel system in the name of national security. The proposal specifically states that it could issue a directive overriding a contract or any part of a contract. In addition, if the proposal is approved, collective bargaining would be restricted to the point that unions could not raise questions about numbers of employees, technology or means of performing work.