Civil Service FAQ Federal Labor Relations and Unions 3

Question 1

"Dues checkoff" in federal labor law refers to:

Accepted Answer

The automatic deduction of union dues from an employee's paycheck upon their written authorization

Answer

The agency's right to audit a union's financial records and membership rolls

Answer

The process by which employees formally opt out of union membership

Answer

A fee charged to nonmember employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement

Question 2

The Hatch Act primarily restricts federal employees from:

Accepted Answer

Using their official authority or position to influence partisan political elections

Answer

Joining or holding office in a federal employee labor organization

Answer

Participating in union ratification votes or internal union elections

Answer

Filing grievances or unfair labor practice charges against their agency

Question 3

Which of the following employee groups is EXCLUDED from coverage under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute?

Accepted Answer

Employees of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Answer

Civilian employees of the Department of Defense

Answer

Internal Revenue Service (IRS) revenue agents

Answer

U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service rangers

Question 4

What vote threshold is required for a union to win exclusive recognition in a federal sector representation election?

Accepted Answer

A majority of the valid ballots cast in the election

Answer

At least 30% of all eligible employees in the proposed bargaining unit

Answer

Two-thirds of all employees in the proposed bargaining unit

Answer

A simple plurality, even if that represents less than 50% of votes cast

Question 5

Under the management rights provision of federal labor law (5 U.S.C. § 7106), management retains the right to:

Accepted Answer

Determine the agency's mission, budget, organizational structure, and number of employees

Answer

Negotiate pay and locality adjustments directly with the exclusive representative

Answer

Deny employees the right to file any grievance relating to working conditions

Answer

Assign work to outside contractors without any obligation to notify the union

Question 6

A party that disagrees with a federal labor arbitration award may seek review by filing an exception with the:

Accepted Answer

Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)

Answer

U.S. Court of Federal Claims

Answer

Office of Personnel Management (OPM)

Answer

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Question 7

"Past practice" in federal labor relations refers to:

Accepted Answer

An established, consistent pattern of conduct that may be treated as a binding condition of employment

Answer

The requirement that unions file annual financial reports with the Department of Labor

Answer

Historical personnel records used to determine union representation eligibility

Answer

Agency policies and procedures that were in effect before a union was certified