[ v02 p791 ]
02:0791(102)CA
The decision of the Authority follows:
2 FLRA No. 102 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Respondent and AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 3331, AFL-CIO Complainant Assistant Secretary Case No. 22-09116(CA) DECISION AND ORDER ON OCTOBER 5, 1979, ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE SAMUEL A. CHAITOVITZ ISSUED HIS RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER IN THE ABOVE-ENTITLED PROCEEDING, FINDING THAT THE RESPONDENT HAD COMMITTED AN UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE AND RECOMMENDING THAT IT CEASE AND DESIST THEREFROM AND TAKE CERTAIN AFFIRMATIVE ACTIONS AS SET FORTH IN THE ATTACHED JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER. THEREAFTER, RESPONDENT FILED EXCEPTIONS TO THE 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 SEC. 304 OF REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 2 OF 1978 (43 F.R. 36040), WHICH TRANSFER OF FUNCTIONS IS IMPLEMENTED BY SEC. 2400.2 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS (45 F.R. 3482, JANUARY 17, 1980). THE AUTHORITY CONTINUES TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF THESE FUNCTIONS AS PROVIDED IN SEC. 7135(B) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (92 STAT. 1215). THEREFORE, PURSUANT TO SEC. 2400.2 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS AND SEC. 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 THE SUBJECT CASE, INCLUDING RESPONDENT'S EXCEPTIONS, THE AUTHORITY HEREBY ADOPTS THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATION ONLY TO THE EXTENT CONSISTENT HEREWITH. RESPONDENT TAKES EXCEPTION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED ORDER BECAUSE IT DOES NOT INCLUDE A STATEMENT THAT RESPONDENT MAY, FOR VALID REASONS, REQUEST AN EMPLOYEE TO ESTIMATE THE AMOUNT OF WORK TIME HE ANTICIPATES SPENDING ON UNION ACTIVITIES. THE AUTHORITY FINDS MERIT IN THIS EXCEPTION. THEREFORE, THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED ORDER IS ADOPTED AS MODIFIED TO INCLUDE THE ABOVE-MENTIONED STATEMENT. IN TAKING EXCEPTION TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE'S RECOMMENDED DECISION, RESPONDENT CITES THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS COUNCIL'S DECISION IN DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE, BASE PROCUREMENT OFFICE, VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, A/SLMR NO. 485, 4 FLRC 586 (FLRC NO. 75A-25, 1976), FOR THE PROPOSITION THAT INQUIRIES OF A UNION MEMBER AT LEAST AS BROAD AS THOSE MADE BY RESPONDENT ARE NOT COERCIVE OR RESTRAINING. THE COUNCIL DID NOT, HOWEVER, REACH THE ISSUE OF THE ALLEGED COERCIVE NATURE OF THE INQUIRIES MADE IN THE VANDENBERG CASE. THE COUNCIL HELD THAT EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED, PROTECTS AGAINST ACTIONS THAT INFRINGE UPON THE EXERCISE OF RIGHTS CREATED BY THE ORDER WHILE THE INQUIRIES IN THE VANDENBERG CASE ALLEGEDLY COERCED EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF RIGHTS CREATED ONLY BY A COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. /1/ ORDER PURSUANT TO SEC. 2400.2 OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY AND SEC. 7135 OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE, THE AUTHORITY HEREBY ORDERS THAT THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SHALL: 1. CEASE AND DESIST FROM: (A) REQUESTING ITS EMPLOYEES TO REPORT THEIR PRESENT AND ANTICIPATED ROLES, AS CONTRASTED WITH THE AMOUNT OF WORK TIME TO BE SPENT IN THE ROLES, ASSUMED ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 3331, AFL-CIO, OR ON BEHALF OF ANY OTHER LABOR ORGANIZATION. (B) IN ANY LIKE OR RELATED MANNER INTERFERING WITH, RESTRAINING OR COERCING EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF RIGHTS ASSURED THEM BY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER OR NOW AVAILABLE TO THEM UNDER THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT. 2. TAKE THE FOLLOWING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES AND POLICIES OF THE ORDER. (A) POST AT ITS FACILITY 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 DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND SHALL BE POSTED AND MAINTAINED BY HIM FOR 60 CONSECUTIVE DAYS THEREAFTER, IN CONSPICUOUS PLACES, INCLUDING ALL BULLETIN BOARDS AND OTHER PLACES WHERE NOTICES TO EMPLOYEES ARE CUSTOMARILY POSTED. THE DIRECTOR SHALL TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO INSURE THAT SUCH NOTICES ARE NOT ALTERED, DEFACED OR COVERED BY 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., MARCH 7, 1980 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY 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 CHAPTER 71 OF TITLE 5 OF THE UNITED STATES CODES FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS WE HEREBY NOTIFY OUR EMPLOYEES THAT: WE WILL NOT REQUEST EMPLOYEES TO REPORT THEIR PRESENT AND ANTICIPATED ROLES, AS CONTRASTED WITH THE AMOUNT OF WORK TIME TO BE SPENT IN THE ROLES, ASSUMED ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 3331, AFL-CIO, OR ON BEHALF OF ANY OTHER LABOR ORGANIZATION. WE WILL NOT IN ANY LIKE OR RELATED MANNER INTERFERE WITH, RESTRAIN, OR COERCE OUR EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS ASSURED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED. (AGENCY OR ACTIVITY) 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 MATERIAL. IF EMPLOYEES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS NOTICE OR COMPLIANCE WITH ANY OF ITS PROVISIONS, THEY MAY COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY, WHOSE ADDRESS IS: 1730 K STREET, NW., ROOM 401, WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006, AND WHOSE TELEPHONE NUMBER IS (202) 653-7213. NORVALD D. SETTLE, ESQ. DEPUTY ASSOCIATE GENERAL COUNSEL U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY 401 M STREET, SW. MAIL CODE A-134 WASHINGTON, D.C. 20460 FOR THE RESPONDENT STUART A. KIRSCH NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO 8020 NEW HAMPSHIRE AVENUE LANGLEY PARK, MARYLAND 20783 FOR THE COMPLAINANT BEFORE: SAMUEL A. CHAITOVITZ ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE RECOMMENDED DECISION AND ORDER STATEMENT OF THE CASE PURSUANT TO A COMPLAINT FILED ON JULY 17, 1978 AND AN AMENDED COMPLAINT FILED ON OCTOBER 20, 1978 UNDER EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED, (HEREINAFTER CALLED THE ORDER) BY AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 3331, AFL-CIO (HEREINAFTER CALLED COMPLAINANT AND LOCAL 3331 AFGE) AGAINST THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (HEREINAFTER CALLED RESPONDENT AND EPA) A NOTICE OF HEARING ON COMPLAINT WAS ISSUED ON MAY 25, 1979 BY THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR, WASHINGTON REGION, FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY. BASICALLY THE NOTICE OF HEARING ON COMPLAINT SET FOR HEARING ONLY THE ALLEGATION SET FORTH IN THE COMPLAINT THAT THE ACTIVITY VIOLATED SECTION 19(A)(1) OF THE ORDER "BY ITS ACTIONS DURING A DECEMBER 5, 1977 MEETING WITH DR. DROGE AND BY ISSUING HIM A MEMORANDUM ON THE SAME DATE WHICH REQUIRED HIM TO PROVIDE A 'COMPLETE STATUS REPORT OF HIS PRESENT AND ANTICIPATED ROLES IN UNION ACTIVITIES'." A HEARING WAS HELD BEFORE THE UNDERSIGNED IN WASHINGTON, D.C. BOTH PARTIES WERE REPRESENTED AT THE HEARING AND WERE AFFORDED A FULL OPPORTUNITY TO BE HEARD, TO ADDUCE EVIDENCE AND TO EXAMINE AND CROSS-EXAMINE WITNESSES. BOTH PARTIES FILED BRIEFS, WHICH HAVE BEEN DULY CONSIDERED BY THE UNDERSIGNED. UPON THE ENTIRE RECORD IN THIS CASE, FROM MY OBSERVATION OF THE WITNESSES AND THEIR DEMEANOR, AND FROM ALL THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE ADDUCED AT THE HEARING, I MAKE THE FOLLOWING FINDINGS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS: FINDINGS OF FACT 1. AT ALL TIMES MATERIAL HEREIN LOCAL 3331 AFGE HAS BEEN THE COLLECTIVE BARGAINING REPRESENTATIVE FOR A UNIT OF RESPONDENT'S NONPROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES. 2. ON DECEMBER 5, 1977 DR. JOHN H. DROGE WAS AN ECONOMIST EMPLOYED BY RESPONDENT AND WAS THE TREASURER OF LOCAL 3331 AFGE. IN THIS LATTER CAPACITY DR. DROGE SPENT SOME WORK TIME REPRESENTING UNIT EMPLOYEES. 3. DURING MAY 1977 DR. DROGE'S THEN SUPERVISOR, MR. SWEP DAVIS, ASKED DR. DROGE FOR AN ESTIMATE OF THE TIME HE PLANNED TO SPEND ON UNION ACTIVITIES SO THAT MR. DAVIS COULD PLAN "USE OF MY RESOURCES". DR. DROGE TOLD MR. DAVIS THAT HE, DR. DROGE, DID NOT FEEL HE WAS REQUIRED TO SUPPLY THE REQUESTED INFORMATION, BUT HE DID COMPLY WITH THE REQUEST AND SUPPLIED THE ESTIMATE OF TIME. 4. SUBSEQUENT TO MAY 1977 MR. DAVID GIBBONS BECAME DR. DROGE'S SUPERVISOR AND WHEN DR. DROGE LEFT WORK ON LOCAL 3331 AFGE BUSINESS HE LEFT A "BUCK SLIP" WITH MR. GIBBONS' SECRETARY SETTING FORTH THE NUMBER OF HOURS SPENT ON UNION BUSINESS. 5. ON DECEMBER 5, 1977 MR. GIBBONS ASKED DR. DROGE FOR AN ESTIMATE OF THE AMOUNT OF TIME DR. DROGE ANTICIPATED SPENDING ON LOCAL 3331 AFGE ACTIVITIES. MR. GIBBONS EXPLAINED THAT HE NEED THIS INFORMATION SO THAT HE COULD PLAN AND EVEN OUT HIS STAFF'S WORKLOAD. DR. DROGE ASKED MR. GIBBONS TO PUT THE REQUEST IN WRITING. 6. LATER IN THE MORNING OF DECEMBER 5, 1977 DR. DROGE RECEIVED A MEMORANDUM FROM MR. GIBBONS. THE MEMORANDUM WAS ENTITLED "SUBJECT: UNION ACTIVITIES". THE MEMORANDUM STATED: I REALIZE THAT AS A UNION OFFICIAL YOU SPEND SOME OF YOUR WORK DAY ON UNION BUSINESS. WHILE I SUPPORT THIS EFFORT, AND HAVE NEVER QUESTIONED YOUR INVOLVEMENT IN THESE DUTIES, THE BRANCH IS ALSO RESPONSIBLE FOR PRODUCING A HIGH QUALITY PRODUCT ON TIME. BY COB WEDNESDAY PLEASE GIVE ME A COMPLETE STATUS REPORT OF YOUR PRESENT AND ANTICIPATED ROLES IN UNION ACTIVITIES. AS YOU KNOW I AM ALSO REQUIRED TO KEEP TRACK OF TIME SPENT ON UNION ACTIVITIES BY PARTICIPATING INDIVIDUALS. TO DATE I HAVE NEGLECTED DOING THIS. THEREFORE, PLEASE, IN THE FUTURE INDICATE TO ME WHEN YOU WILL BE OUT OF THE OFFICE FOR UNION ACTIVITIES DURING WORKING HOURS. NOTHING FORMAL NEEDS TO BE DONE, JUST A NOTE ON A ROUTESLIP OR PIECE OF PAPER TELLING ME WHEN YOU WILL BE AWAY AND FOR HOW LONG." 7. LATER ON DECEMBER 5, 1977 DR. DROGE RECEIVED ANOTHER MEMORANDUM FROM MR. GIBBONS EXPRESSING CONCERN OVER DR. DROGE'S WORK OUTPUT AND REQUIRING DR. DROGE TO SUBMIT A MEMORANDUM BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS WEDNESDAY (DECEMBER 7, 1977) WHICH SETS FORTH A REPORT ON EACH OF DR. DROGE'S WORK ASSIGNMENTS. THIS MEMORANDUM WAS ENTITLED "ONGOING PROJECTS". 8. ON DECEMBER 6, 1977 DR. DROGE DELIVERED A RESPONSE TO THE "ONGOING PROJECTS" MEMORANDUM INDICATING DISAGREEMENT WITH MANY OF THE ACCUSATIONS AND STATING THAT HE FELT THESE CRITICISMS WERE DUE IN PART TO HIS UNION ACTIVITIES. 9. ON DECEMBER 7 WHEN MR. GIBBONS ASKED FOR THE TWO WRITTEN RESPONSES TO THE DECEMBER 5 MEMORANDA. DR. DROGE REPLIED THAT HE DID NOT HAVE THEM BECAUSE OF CERTAIN OTHER UNION ACTIVITIES. 10. ON DECEMBER 8 DR. DROGE RECEIVED A MEMORANDUM FROM MR. GIBBONS EXPRESSING DISAPPOINTMENT THAT DR. DROGE HAD NOT SUBMITTED THE REQUIRED INFORMATION AND REQUESTING THAT THE REQUESTED INFORMATION BE SUBMITTED BY MEMORANDUM ON DECEMBER 12, SETTING FORTH WHY DR. DROGE HAD NOT DONE HIS ASSIGNMENTS, INCLUDING OTHER MEETINGS, PROJECTS OR ACTIVITIES IN WHICH HE WAS ENGAGED. 11. ON DECEMBER 12, 1977 DR. DROGE SUBMITTED A "RESPONSE TO YOUR MEMOS OF DECEMBER 5 AND 7, 1977" REFUSING TO PROVIDE A STATUS REPORT OF PRESENT AND ANTICIPATED "ROLES IN UNION ACTIVITIES" AND THAT IF MR. GIBBONS DESIRED A RECORD OF DR. DROGE'S UNION ACTIVITIES MR. GIBBONS HAD TO MAINTAIN SUCH A RECORD. 12. A MEETING WAS HELD ON DECEMBER 12, 1977. PRESENT WERE DR. DROGE, MR. GIBBONS, LOCAL 3331 AFGE PRESIDENT HAROLD DODSON, AND ASSOCIATE DEPUTY ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR ERICKSON. THEY DISCUSSED DR. DROGE'S WORK OUTPUT AND DR. DROGE ANTICIPATED THAT HE WOULD BE SPENDING RELATIVELY LITTLE TIME ON UNION MATTERS. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW ALTHOUGH THE RESPONDENT HAD A VALID INTEREST IN BEING ABLE TO PLAN WORK ASSIGNMENTS AND WORKLOAD AND THUS MIGHT HAVE BEEN PRIVILEGED TO INQUIRE AS TO THE AMOUNT OF WORK TIME DR. DROGE ANTICIPATED HE WOULD SPEND ON UNION ACTIVITIES /2/ IT IS CONCLUDED THAT, ALTHOUGH IT MAY HAVE BEEN MERELY INARTFUL WORDING, THE RESPONDENT VIOLATED SECTION 19(A)(1) OF THE ORDER BY ITS "UNION ACTIVITIES" MEMORANDUM OF DECEMBER 5. RESPONDENT HAD NO VALID INTEREST IN INQUIRING INTO DR. DROGE'S PRESENT AND ANTICIPATED ROLE IN UNION ACTIVITIES. SUCH INQUIRY WAS TOO BROAD AND EXCEEDED ANY VALID INTEREST RESPONDENT MIGHT HAVE HAD IN APPORTIONING WORK ASSIGNMENTS. THE INQUIRY INTO SUCH A PRIVILEGED AREA, WHERE THERE WAS NO VALID JUSTIFICATION, NECESSARILY WOULD INTERFERE WITH, RESTRAIN AND COERCE AN EMPLOYEE IN THE EXERCISE OF PROTECTED RIGHTS AND THEREFORE VIOLATED SECTION 19(A)(1) OF THE ORDER. /3/ RECOMMENDATION HAVING FOUND THAT EPA HAS ENGAGED IN CONDUCT WHICH VIOLATES SECTION 19(A)(1) OF THE ORDER, I RECOMMEND THAT THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY ADOPT THE FOLLOWING ORDER. ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTION 2400.2 OF THE 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 ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY SHALL: 1. CEASE AND DESIST FROM: (A) REQUESTING STATUS REPORTS OF PRESENT AND ANTICIPATED ROLES OF ITS EMPLOYEES ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 3331, AFL-CIO OR ON BEHALF OF ANY OTHER LABOR ORGANIZATION. (B) IN ANY LIKE OR RELATED MANNER INTERFERING WITH, RESTRAINING OR COERCING EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF RIGHTS ASSURED THEM BY THE EXECUTIVE ORDER OR NOW AVAILABLE TO THEM UNDER THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT. 2. TAKE THE FOLLOWING AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN ORDER TO EFFECTUATE THE PURPOSES AND PROVISIONS OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED, (A) POST AT ITS FACILITY COPIES OF THE ATTACHED NOTICE MARKED "APPENDIX" ON FORMS TO BE FURNISHED BY THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY. UPON RECEIPT OF SUCH FORM, IT SHALL BE SIGNED AND DATED BY THE DIRECTOR OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND SHALL BE POSTED AND MAINTAINED BY HIM FOR (60) CONSECUTIVE DAYS THEREAFTER, IN CONSPICUOUS PLACES, INCLUDING ALL BULLETIN BOARDS AND OTHER PLACES WHERE NOTICES TO EMPLOYEES ARE CUSTOMARILY POSTED. THE DIRECTOR SHALL TAKE REASONABLE STEPS TO INSURE THAT SUCH NOTICES ARE NOT ALTERED, DEFACED OR COVERED BY ANY OTHER MATERIAL. (B) NOTIFY THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY IN WRITING, WITHIN THIRTY (30) DAYS FROM THE DATE OF THIS ORDER AS TO WHAT STEPS HAVE BEEN TAKEN TO COMPLY HEREWITH. SAMUEL A. CHAITOVITZ ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE DATED: OCTOBER 5, 1979 WASHINGTON, D.C. APPENDIX NOTICE TO ALL EMPLOYEES 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 CODES FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS WE HEREBY NOTIFY 0UR EMPLOYEES THAT: WE WILL NOT REQUEST STATUS REPORTS OF PRESENT AND ANTICIPATED ROLES OF EMPLOYEES ON BEHALF OF AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 3331, AFL-CIO OR ON BEHALF OF ANY OTHER LABOR ORGANIZATION. WE WILL NOT IN ANY LIKE OR RELATED MANNER INTERFERE WITH, RESTRAIN, OR COERCE OUR EMPLOYEES IN THE EXERCISE OF THEIR RIGHTS ASSURED BY EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, AS AMENDED. (AGENCY OR ACTIVITY) 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 MATERIAL. IF EMPLOYEES HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CONCERNING THIS NOTICE OR COMPLIANCE WITH ANY OF ITS PROVISIONS, THEY MAY COMMUNICATE DIRECTLY WITH THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR FOR THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY, WHOSE ADDRESS IS: ROOM 443, 1730 K STREET, N.W., WASHINGTON, D.C. 20006. /1/ IN CONFORMITY WITH SEC. 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. /2/ DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE, VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, A/SLMR NO. 485, FLRC NO. 75A-25 (NOVEMBER 19, 1976). /3/ CF. IRS, DETROIT DATA CENTER, A/SLMR NO. 862.