Civil Service FAQ Federal Labor Relations and Unions

Question 1

What is the primary federal law governing labor-management relations for most civilian federal employees?

Accepted Answer

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (Title 5, Chapter 71)

Answer

The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 codified the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute at Title 5, Chapter 71, which is the primary governing law for most federal civilian employee labor relations.

Question 2

Which independent federal agency is responsible for overseeing labor-management relations in the federal sector?

Accepted Answer

Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)

Answer

The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) is the independent agency that administers the federal labor-management relations program, handles unfair labor practice charges, and oversees union elections.

Question 3

Under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute, federal employees have the right to:

Accepted Answer

Form, join, or assist labor organizations and bargain collectively

Answer

Federal employees have the statutory right to form, join, or assist a labor organization and to engage in collective bargaining, but striking, salary negotiation, and veto powers over reorganization are not permitted.

Question 4

Which of the following matters is generally EXCLUDED from collective bargaining in the federal sector?

Accepted Answer

Pay rates and General Schedule salary levels

Answer

Pay rates for most federal employees are set by statute (e.g., the General Schedule) and cannot be negotiated in collective bargaining agreements, unlike conditions of employment such as grievance procedures or schedules.

Question 5

"Official time" as defined under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute refers to:

Accepted Answer

Time granted to union representatives during work hours to perform representational activities

Answer

Official time is paid time granted to federal employees who are union representatives to perform authorized representational activities during their normal work hours, as established by law and negotiated agreements.

Civil Service FAQ Practice Test

Civil Service FAQ Practice Test

Civil Service FAQ Federal Labor Relations and Unions