FLRA NEWSFLRA NEWSGeneral Counsel Joseph Swerdzewski today issued a policy to the FLRA Regional Directors regarding pre-decisional involvement, the process used to include employees in shaping decisions which affect employees and the work they perform. The policy discusses the benefits and risks of pre-decisional involvement, as well as the relationship between pre-decisional involvement and the statutory duty to bargain. The policy also offers a model that can be used by agencies and unions in facilitating pre-decisional involvement.
"Pre-decisional involvement, used correctly, can greatly enhance a productive labor-management relationship. Collaborative problem solving can identify problems and craft solutions by drawing on employees' valuable suggestions on ways to achieve a significant return on the agency's efforts," said General Counsel Swerdzewski. "Pre-decisional involvement, to be truly successful, requires the parties to mutually craft a process for pre-decisional involvement and have common expectations of the results they hope to obtain from the process."
The policy describes the basic principles which underlie pre-decisional involvement: the process begins early; the parties have common expectations; information is freely shared during the process and there is an understanding of confidentiality; the parties use interest-based problem solving; and the parties have a high degree of commitment to the process and to achieving their shared goals. The policy then provides a detailed model for collaborative problem solving through pre-decisional involvement.
The Office of the General Counsel is the independent investigative and prosecutorial component of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) which processes unfair labor practice charges and representation petitions through the Regional Offices. The General Counsel periodically issues guidance to the Regional Directors to provide leadership in promoting productive labor-management relationships in the Federal sector.
A copy of the Executive Summary is attached. For a copy of the policy, click here or fax a request to the Office of the General Counsel at (202) 482-6608 or write to 607 14th St., NW, Ste. 210, Washington, D.C. 20424 attention: "Pre-Decisional Involvement Policy." Requests should include your name, title, organization, address, telephone and fax numbers and the name of the policy you are requesting. Questions or comments concerning the policy should be directed to FLRA Deputy General Counsel David Feder at (202) 482-6680, extension 203.