[ v01 p367 ]
01:0367(46)CO
The decision of the Authority follows:
1 FLRA No. 46 TIDEWATER VIRGINIA FEDERAL EMPLOYEES METAL TRADES COUNCIL, AFL-CIO Respondent and LOUIS T. FAISON Complainant Assistant Secretary Case No. 22-08567(CO) DECISION AND ORDER ON FEBRUARY 26, 1979, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE ROBERT J. FELDMAN ISSUED HIS RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER IN THE ABOVE-ENTITLED PROCEEDING, FINDING THAT THE RESPONDENT HAD ENGAGED IN CERTAIN OF THE UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICES ALLEGED IN THE COMPLAINT AND RECOMMENDING THAT IT CEASE AND DESIST THEREFROM AND TAKE CERTAIN AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS AS SET FORTH IN THE ATTACHED ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER. NO EXCEPTIONS WERE FILED TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER. THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF LABOR FOR LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED, WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE AUTHORITY UNDER SECTION 304 OF REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 2 OF 1978 (43 F.R. 36040), WHICH TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS IS IMPLEMENTED BY SECTION 2400.2 OF THE AUTHORITY'S TRANSITION RULES AND REGULATIONS (44 F.R. 7). THE AUTHORITY CONTINUES TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE FUNCTIONS AS PROVIDED IN SECTION 7135(B) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (92 STAT. 1215). THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO SECTION 2400.2 OF THE AUTHORITY'S TRANSITION RULES AND REGULATIONS AND SECTION 7135(B) OF THE STATUTE, THE AUTHORITY HAS REVIEWED THE RULINGS OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE MADE AT THE HEARING AND FINDS THAT NO PREJUDICIAL ERROR WAS COMMITTED. THE RULINGS ARE HEREBY AFFIRMED. UPON CONSIDERATION OF THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER AND THE ENTIRE RECORD IN THIS CASE, AND NOTING PARTICULARLY THAT NO EXCEPTIONS WERE FILED, THE AUTHORITY HEREBY ADOPTS THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS. /1/ ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTION 2400.2 OF THE TRANSITION RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY AND SECTION 7135 OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE, THE AUTHORITY HEREBY ORDERS THAT THE TIDEWATER VIRGINIA FEDERAL EMPLOYEES METAL TRADES COUNCIL, AFL-CIO, SHALL: 1. CEASE AND DESIST FROM: (A) INTERFERING WITH LOUIS T. FAISON'S, OR ANY OTHER EMPLOYEE'S, NON-WORK TIME SOLICITATION ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, OR ANY OTHER LABOR ORGANIZATION, AT THE NAVAL PUBLIC WORKS CENTER, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA. 2. TAKE THE FOLLOWING AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES AND POLICIES OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED: (A) POST AT ITS LOCAL BUSINESS OFFICE AND AT ALL PLACES WHERE NOTICES TO MEMBERS ARE CUSTOMARILY POSTED, INCLUDING FACILITIES PROVIDED FOR IT AT THE NAVAL PUBLIC WORKS CENTER, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, COPIES OF THE ATTACHED NOTICE MARKED "APPENDIX" ON FORMS TO BE FURNISHED BY THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY. UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH FORMS, THEY SHALL BE SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE TIDEWATER VIRGINIA FEDERAL EMPLOYEES METAL TRADES COUNCIL, AFL-CIO, AND SHALL BE POSTED AND MAINTAINED BY HIM FOR 60 CONSECUTIVE DAYS THEREAFTER IN CONSPICUOUS PLACES. THE PRESIDENT SHALL TAKE STEPS TO INSURE THAT SUCH NOTICES ARE NOT REMOVED, ALTERED, DEFACED, OR COVERED BY ANY OTHER MATERIAL. (B) NOTIFY THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY, IN WRITING, WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS ORDER AS TO WHAT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO COMPLY HEREWITH. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., MAY 30, 1979 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY APPENDIX NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS AND EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO A DECISION AND ORDER OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY AND IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE POLICIES OF CHAPTER 71 OF TITLE 5 OF THE UNITED STATES CODE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS WE HEREBY NOTIFY OUR MEMBERS AND OTHER EMPLOYEES AT THE NAVAL PUBLIC WORKS CENTER, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, THAT: WE WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH LOUIS T. FAISON'S, OR ANY OTHER EMPLOYEE'S, NON-WORK TIME SOLICITATION ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, OR ANY OTHER LABOR ORGANIZATION, AT THE NAVAL PUBLIC WORKS CENTER, NORFOLK , VIRGINIA. TIDEWATER VIRGINIA FEDERAL EMPLOYEES METAL TRADES COUNCIL, AFL-CIO DATED: BY: PRESIDENT THIS NOTICE MUST REMAIN POSTED FOR 60 CONSECUTIVE DAYS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING, AND MUST NOT BE ALTERED, DEFACED, OR COVERED BY ANY OTHER MATERIALS. IF EMPLOYEES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS NOTICE OR COMPLIANCE WITH ANY OF ITS PROVISIONS, THEY MAY COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY, WHOSE ADDRESS IS: ROOM 509, VANGUARD BUILDING, P.O. BOX 19257, 1111 - 20TH STREET, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036. APPEARANCES: ROBERT MATISOFF, ESQ. O'DONOGHUE & O'DONOGHUE 1912 SUNDERLAND PLACE, N.W. WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036 FOR THE RESPONDENT LOUIS T. FAISON 944 TIFTON STREET NORFOLK, VIRGINIA 23513 COMPLAINANT PRO SE RONALD B. ZEDD, ESQ., OBSERVING BEFORE: ROBERT J. FELDMAN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE CASE NO. 22-8567(CO) DECISION AND ORDER THIS IS AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE PROCEEDING IN WHICH A FORMAL HEARING OF RECORD WAS HELD PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491 AS AMENDED (HEREINAFTER REFERRED TO "ORDER") AND 29 C.F.R. PART 203. IN THE LIGHT OF REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 2 OF 1978 AND TITLE VII OF THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 1978, THE DECISION AND ORDER HEREIN ARE ISSUED PURSUANT TO TRANSITION RULES AND REGULATIONS PROMULGATED IN FEDERAL REGISTER, VOL. 44, 1, JANUARY 2, 1979, PP. 5-8. STATEMENT OF THE CASE THE COMPLAINT AS FILED ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 19(B)(1), (2) & (3) OF THE ORDER BASED UPON THE CHARGE THAT AN OFFICIAL OF THE RESPONDENT HAD PHYSICALLY ASSAULTED COMPLAINANT AND HAD TAKEN A CLIPBOARD CONTAINING PETITIONS OBTAINED BY HIM IN AN EFFORT TO CAUSE AN ELECTION CHALLENGING RESPONDENT'S REPRESENTATIONAL STATUS; AND ALSO THAT SUCH OFFICIAL HAD TOLD ASSEMBLED EMPLOYEES THAT IF THEY SIGNED THE PETITION, RESPONDENT WOULD FILE CHARGES AGAINST THEM. PRIOR TO ISSUING THE NOTICE OF HEARING, THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR DISMISSED THE 19(B)(2) & (3) PORTIONS OF THE COMPLAINT ON THE GROUND THAT COMPLAINANT HAD FAILED TO ESTABLISH A REASONABLE BASIS FOR THE ALLEGED VIOLATIONS OF THOSE SECTIONS. IN HIS LETTER OF PARTIAL DISMISSAL, THE REGIONAL ADMINISTRATOR STATED THAT NO EVIDENCE HAD BEEN ADDUCED THAT RESPONDENT'S REPRESENTATIVES ATTEMPTED TO INDUCE AGENCY MANAGEMENT TO COERCE AN EMPLOYEE IN THE EXERCISE OF RIGHTS UNDER THE ORDER, NOR WAS THERE ANY EVIDENCE THAT RESPONDENT COERCED, ATTEMPTED TO COERCE, DISCIPLINE, FINE OR TAKE OTHER ECONOMIC SANCTION AGAINST A MEMBER OF THE ORGANIZATION AS PUNISHMENT OR REPRISAL, OR FOR THE PURPOSE OF HINDERING OR IMPEDING THE MEMBER'S WORK PERFORMANCE, PRODUCTIVITY OR DISCHARGE OF DUTIES. IT DOES NOT APPEAR THAT ANY APPEAL WAS TAKEN FROM THE PARTIAL DISMISSAL. IN VIEW OF THE ABOVE, THE SOLE ISSUE TO BE DETERMINED IS WHETHER THE RESPONDENT LABOR ORGANIZATION INFERRED WITH, RESTRAINED OR COERCED AN EMPLOYEE IN THE EXERCISE OF HIS RIGHTS ASSURED BY THE ORDER IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 19(B)(1). FINDINGS OF FACT ON AUGUST 11, 1977, RESPONDENT WAS THE RECOGNIZED EXCLUSIVE BARGAINING AGENT FOR THE EMPLOYEE UNIT IN QUESTION. COMPLAINANT WAS THEN AN EMPLOYEE IN THE TRANSPORTATION DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVAL PUBLIC WORKS CENTER IN NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, AND WAS ALSO A NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (NAGE). SHORTLY BEFORE THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE DAY SHIFT THAT MORNING, COMPLAINANT WAS SOLICITING SIGNATURES ON A PETITION IN A PARKING LOT AT THE NAVAL PUBLIC WORKS CENTER. THE PETITION THAT COMPLAINANT WAS CIRCULATING CONSISTED OF A NUMBER OF SHEETS OF AN AUTHORIZATION PETITION ATTACHED TO A CLIPBOARD. EACH SHEET CONTAINED A STATEMENT AT THE TOP TO THE EFFECT THAT THE SIGNATORIES AUTHORIZED NAGE TO REPRESENT THEM AS BARGAINING AGENT, THE OBJECTIVE BEING TO CREATE A SHOWING OF INTEREST TO WARRANT AN ELECTION CHALLENGING RESPONDENT'S REPRESENTATION OF THE UNIT. DURING THE COURSE OF COMPLAINANT'S SOLICITATION, ONE WALTER R. GATLING, THEN RESPONDENT'S LOCAL CHAIRMAN OR ACTIVITY REPRESENTATIVE, AFTER LISTENING TO COMPLAINANT'S REQUEST TO EMPLOYEES TO SIGN THE PETITION, ASKED COMPLAINANT TO TELL SUCH EMPLOYEES THE TRUTH AS TO WHAT IT WAS HE WAS ASKING THEM TO SIGN, IMPLYING THAT COMPLAINANT WAS MISREPRESENTING THE CONTENTS OF THE PETITION. COMPLAINANT ASKED MR. GATLING NOT TO BOTHER HIM AND TURNED AWAY. AS HE DID SO, MR. GATLING TOOK POSSESSION OF THE CLIPBOARD WITH THE PETITION SHEETS ATTACHED TO IT. WHEN COMPLAINANT ASKED HIM TO RETURN THE CLIPBOARD, MR. GATLING REFUSED TO DO SO UNLESS COMPLAINANT WOULD TELL THE PEOPLE THAT IT WAS A NAGE PETITION HE WAS ASKING THEM TO SIGN, INSTEAD OF A PETITION AGAINST THE CONTRACTING-OUT OF SOME OPERATIONS. COMPLAINANT THEN CALLED A NEARBY BASE POLICEMAN, BUT BY THEN MR. GATLING HAD LEFT THE AREA, SO COMPLAINANT REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE BASE POLICE DEPARTMENT. AN HOUR OR TWO LATER, MR. GATLING RETURNED THE CLIPBOARD TO THE BASE POLICE OFFICE. COMPLAINANT INSISTED, HOWEVER, THAT SEVERAL SHEETS OF SIGNATURES HAD BEEN REMOVED FROM THE CLIPBOARD, AS A RESULT OF WHICH MR. GATLING WAS CHARGED WITH THEFT OF PERSONAL PROPERTY OF A VALUE OF LESS THAN $100.00 AND WAS GIVEN A SUMMONS TO APPEAR IN COURT. SUBSEQUENTLY THE CHARGE WAS DISMISSED. ON OTHER OCCASIONS, SEVERAL EMPLOYEES HAD SIGNED COMPLAINANT'S PETITIONS UNDER A MISTAKEN IMPRESSION AS TO THE CONTENTS AND PURPOSE THEREOF, CLAIMING THAT THEY DID NOT SEE, OR DID NOT READ, THE TYPEWRITTEN PARAGRAPH AT THE TOP OF THE SHEET AND THAT THEY WERE TOLD IT WAS A PETITION AGAINST CONTRACTING-OUT CERTAIN WORK OR A PETITION TO INCREASE WAGES. ON AUGUST 31, 1977, NAGE FILED A LABOR ORGANIZATION PETITION (RO) FOR CERTIFICATION OF REPRESENTATIVE. ON OCTOBER 20, 1977, NAGE WITHDREW SUCH PETITION. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW RESPONDENT RECOGNIZES THAT UNDER SECTION 1(A) OF THE ORDER, COMPLAINANT AS AN EMPLOYEE HAD AN ASSURED OR PROTECTED RIGHT TO ASSIST A LABOR ORGANIZATION BY SOLICITING SIGNATURES ON AN AUTHORIZATION PETITION. IT CONTENDS HOWEVER THAT COMPLAINANT MISREPRESENTED THE CONTENT AND PURPOSE OF THE PETITION TO SOME PROSPECTIVE SIGNATORIES AND THEREBY NOT ONLY LOST WHATEVER PROTECTION THE ORDER HAD GIVEN HIM, BUT CONFERRED UPON THE RESPONDENT THE RIGHT TO INTERFERE WITH HIS ACTIVITY, CONTRARY TO THE EXPRESS PROVISIONS OF SECTION 19(B)(1). I AM NOT PERSUADED THAT THERE IS ANY VALIDITY TO SUCH A CONTENTION. THE ADJUDICATIONS IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR RELIED UPON BY RESPONDENT HAVE LITTLE OR NO PRECEDENTIAL VALUE IN PROCEEDINGS UNDER THE ORDER. IN THE FIRST PLACE, SECTION 8(B)(1) OF THE NATIONAL LABOR RELATIONS ACT (29 U.S.C. 158(B)(1)) PROHIBITS A LABOR ORGANIZATION ONLY FROM RESTRAINING OR COERCING EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS; IT OMITS ANY REFERENCE TO "INTERFERING WITH" EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF SUCH RIGHTS. IN THE SECOND PLACE, THE CASES CITED BY RESPONDENT ARE FACTUALLY INAPPOSITE, SINCE WITH A SINGLE EXCEPTION OF A DECISION INVOLVING DISCHARGES FOR VIOLENCE AND HOLDING THAT FIGHTING IS NOT A PROTECTED ACTIVITY EVEN IF UNION ACTIVITY GAVE RISE TO IT, THEY DEAL EXCLUSIVELY WITH EMPLOYER OBLIGATIONS UNDER SECTION 8(A). SEE, E.G., WHITIN MACHINE WORKS, 100 N.L.R.B. 279(1952). FROM THE EVIDENCE ADDUCED IN THE INSTANT CASE, I CANNOT CONCLUDE THAT RESPONDENT'S ACTIONS AMOUNTED TO ANY RESTRAINT OR COERCION UPON ANY EMPLOYEE, BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT SUCH ACTIONS CONSTITUTED INTERFERENCE WITH COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO ASSIST NAGE, A LABOR ORGANIZATION, BY CIRCULATING PETITIONS WITH A VIEW TO OBTAINING A REPRESENTATIONAL ELECTION. RESPONDENT'S SUGGESTION THAT THE STATUTORY BAN UPON SUCH INTERFERENCE BE NEGATED ON EQUITABLE GROUNDS IS WITHOUT FOUNDATION. ANY MISREPRESENTATION ON COMPLAINANT'S PART IS NO JUSTIFICATION FOR COMMITTING AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE IN DIRECT VIOLATION OF THE ORDER. THE DEFENSE AGAINST AND REMEDY FOR SUCH MISREPRESENTATION IS THE INVALIDATION IN REPRESENTATION PROCEEDINGS OF PETITIONS SO OBTAINED, AND IT IS APPARENT THAT RESPONDENT WAS WELL AWARE OF SUCH DEFENSE AND REMEDY, AND WAS GATHERING EVIDENCE TO EFFECTUATE SUCH INVALIDATION (SEE RESPONDENT'S EXHIBITS C, D &E.) COMPLAINANT'S CONDUCT IN SOLICITING SOME SIGNATURES WITHOUT DISCLOSING THE TRUE NATURE OF THE PETITION IS WHOLLY UNACCEPTABLE AND IS HEREBY IN NO WAY CONDONED. IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, HOWEVER, I AM CONSTRAINED TO FIND THAT RESPONDENT VIOLATED SECTION 19(B)(1) OF THE ORDER BY INTERFERING WITH COMPLAINANT'S EXERCISE OF HIS RIGHT TO SEEK SIGNATORIES TO THE NAGE AUTHORIZATION PETITION. ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTION 6(B) OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED, AND SECTION 203.26(B) OF THE REGULATIONS, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED ON BEHALF OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY THAT TIDEWATER VIRGINIA FEDERAL EMPLOYEES METAL TRADES COUNCIL, AFL-CIO SHALL: 1. CEASE AND DESIST FROM INTERFERING WITH THE SOLICITATION BY LOUIS T. FAISON OR OTHERS OF SIGNATURES ON AUTHORIZATION PETITIONS ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES; AND FROM IN ANY LIKE OR RELATED MANNER, INTERFERING WITH, RESTRAINING, OR COERCING EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS ASSURED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED. 2. TAKE THE FOLLOWING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES AND POLICIES OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED: POST AT THE NAVAL PUBLIC WORKS CENTER, NORFOLK, VIRGINIA, COPIES OF THE ATTACHED NOTICE MARKED "APPENDIX" ON FORMS TO BE FURNISHED BY THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY. UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH FORMS, THEY SHALL BE SIGNED BY THE PRESIDENT OR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF TIDEWATER VIRGINIA FEDERAL EMPLOYEES METAL TRADES COUNCIL, AFL-CIO, AND SHALL BE POSTED AND MAINTAINED BY HIM FOR SIXTY (60) CONSECUTIVE DAYS THEREAFTER IN CONSPICUOUS PLACES, INCLUDING ALL PLACES WHERE NOTICES OF SAID COUNCIL TO EMPLOYEES ARE CUSTOMARILY POSTED. THE PRESIDENT OR CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER SHALL TAKE STEPS TO INSURE THAT THE NOTICES ARE NOT ALTERED, DEFACED, OR COVERED BY ANY OTHER MATERIAL. PURSUANT TO SECTION 203.27 OF THE REGULATIONS, NOTIFY THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY, IN WRITING, WITHIN 30 DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS ORDER AS TO WHAT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO COMPLY HEREWITH. ROBERT J. FELDMAN ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE DATED: FEBRUARY 26, 1979 WASHINGTON, D.C. RJF:LE APPENDIX NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO A DECISION AND ORDER OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY AND IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE POLICIES OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS IN THE FEDERAL SERVICE WE HEREBY NOTIFY ALL EMPLOYEES THAT: WE WILL NOT INTERFERE WITH THE SOLICITATION BY LOUIS T. FAISON OR OTHERS OF SIGNATURES ON AUTHORIZATION PETITIONS ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES. WE WILL NOT IN ANY LIKE OR RELATED MANNER, INTERFERE WITH, RESTRAIN, OR COERCE EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS ASSURED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED. TIDEWATER VIRGINIA FEDERAL EMPLOYEES METAL TRADES COUNCIL, AFL-CIO DATED: BY: (SIGNATURE) THIS NOTICE MUST REMAIN POSTED FOR 60 CONSECUTIVE DAYS FROM THE DATE OF POSTING, AND MUST NOT BE ALTERED, DEFACED, OR COVERED BY ANY OTHER MATERIALS. IF ANY EMPLOYEES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS NOTICE OR COMPLIANCE WITH ANY OF ITS PROVISIONS, THEY MAY COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE REGIONAL OFFICE OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY, WHOSE ADDRESS IS: ROOM 509, VANGUARD BUILDING, P.O. BOX 19257, 1111-20TH STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20036. /1/ IN CONFORMITY WITH SECTION 902(B) OF THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT OF 1978 (92 STAT. 1224), THE PRESENT CASE IS DECIDED SOLELY ON THE BASIS OF E.O. 11491, AS AMENDED, AND AS IF THE NEW FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (92 STAT. 1191) HAD NOT BEEN ENACTED. THE DECISION AND ORDER DOES NOT PREJUDGE IN ANY MANNER EITHER THE MEANING OR APPLICATION OF RELATED PROVISIONS IN THE NEW STATUTE OR THE RESULT WHICH WOULD BE REACHED BY THE AUTHORITY IF THE CASE HAD ARISEN UNDER THE STATUTE RATHER THAN THE EXECUTIVE ORDER.