[ v05 p238 ]
05:0238(30)CU
The decision of the Authority follows:
5 FLRA No. 30 OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT Agency/Petitioner and AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO Labor Organization Case Nos. 1-CU-9 2-CU-3 3-AC-5 3-AC-6 3-CU-10 3-CU-11 3-CU-13 7-CU-6 9-CU-5 and 9-AC-2 DECISION AND ORDER UPON PETITIONS DULY FILED WITH THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY UNDER SEC. 7111(B)(2) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE, 5 U.S.C. 7101-7135, A HEARING ON THESE CONSOLIDATED CASES WERE HELD BEFORE A HEARING OFFICER OF THE AUTHORITY. THE AUTHORITY HAS REVIEWED THE HEARING OFFICER'S RULINGS MADE AT THE HEARING AND FINDS THEY ARE FREE FROM PREJUDICIAL ERROR. THE RULINGS ARE HEREBY AFFIRMED. UPON THE ENTIRE RECORD IN THESE CASES, INCLUDING BRIEFS FILED BY BOTH PARTIES, THE AUTHORITY FINDS: THE PETITIONER, THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT (OPM), FILED TEN PETITIONS, CONSOLIDATED HERE. SEVEN OF THE PETITIONS SEEK TO CLARIFY EXISTING BARGAINING UNITS OF NATIONAL OFFICE AND REGIONAL OFFICE EMPLOYEES, REPRESENTED BY THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (AFGE) BY EXCLUDING TWO CATEGORIES OF EMPLOYEES UNDER SEC. 7112(B)(3) AND (6) /1/ OF THE STATUTE. SIX OF THESE PLUS THREE OTHER PETITIONS SEEK TO AMEND EACH OF THE BARGAINING UNITS TO SHOW THE CHANGE OF NAME FROM THE U.S. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION TO THE U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND TO REFLECT THE APPROPRIATE DESIGNATION OF EACH OF THE REGIONAL OFFICES, I.E., NEW ENGLAND (FORMERLY BOSTON), EASTERN (FORMERLY NEW YORK), MID-ATLANTIC (FORMERLY PHILADELPHIA), MID-CONTINENT (FORMERLY ST. LOUIS), NORTHWESTERN (FORMERLY SEATTLE), THE NATIONAL OFFICE, THE NATIONAL CHECK AND INQUIRY CENTER, AND THE EMPLOYEE SERVICE AND RECORDS CENTER. /2/ CLARIFICATION OF UNITS THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT AND REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 2 OF 1978 CREATED THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT TO AID AND ADVISE THE PRESIDENT "ON ACTIONS TAKEN TO PROMOTE AN EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE AND A SYSTEMATIC APPLICATION OF THE MERIT SYSTEM PRINCIPLES." /3/ THE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS OF THE FORMER CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION WERE TRANSFERRED TO THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. AT THE TIME THE ACT TOOK EFFECT, AFGE WAS RECOGNIZED AS THE EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE BARGAINING UNITS IN THE NATIONAL AND REGIONAL OFFICES. WHEN THESE PETITIONS WERE FILED, THE AFFECTED UNITS INCLUDED APPROXIMATELY 5,000 PEOPLE, 1,600 OF WHOM ARE SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE UNITS. THE BARGAINING UNITS SOUGHT TO BE CLARIFIED ARE AS FOLLOWS: THE BARGAINING UNIT IN THE BOSTON REGION (1-CU-9) CONTAINS NON-SUPERVISORY EMPLOYEES, AMONG THEM PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS, PERSONNEL ASSISTANTS, PERSONNEL STAFFING SPECIALISTS, POSITION CLASSIFICATION SPECIALISTS AND EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS, ASSIGNED TO THE REGIONAL OFFICE AND OTHER DUTY STATIONS. THE NEW YORK REGIONAL OFFICE (2-CU-3) BARGAINING UNIT INCLUDES ALL NON-SUPERVISORY AND NON-MANAGERIAL EMPLOYEES INCLUDING INVESTIGATIONS DIVISION PERSONNEL STATIONED WITHIN THE BOSTON REGION. ALSO INCLUDED IN THE UNIT ARE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS, PERSONNEL STAFFING SPECIALISTS AND EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS. THE BARGAINING UNIT IN THE PHILADELPHIA REGIONAL OFFICE (3-CU-10) INCLUDES ALL NON-SUPERVISORY GENERAL SCHEDULE AND WAGE GRADE EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS, PERSONNEL STAFFING SPECIALISTS, EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS AND INVESTIGATORS. THE ST. LOUIS REGIONAL OFFICE BARGAINING UNIT (7-CU-6) CONTAINS ALL EMPLOYEES STATIONED WITH THE REGION, INCLUDING PERSONNEL CLERKS AND ASSISTANTS, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS, PERSONNEL STAFFING SPECIALISTS, EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS AND INVESTIGATORS. THE BARGAINING UNIT IN THE SEATTLE REGIONAL OFFICE (9-CU-5) INCLUDES ALL WORK FORCE EMPLOYEES IN THE REGION, INCLUDING PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS, PERSONNEL STAFFING SPECIALISTS, POSITION CLASSIFICATION SPECIALISTS, EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS AND INVESTIGATORS. THERE ARE TWO NATIONAL OFFICE BARGAINING UNITS, ONE COMPRISED OF PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (3-CU-13), THE OTHER OF NONPROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES (3-CU-11). THE UNIT OF PROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES CONTAINS ECONOMISTS, ATTORNEYS AND PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGISTS. THE UNIT OF NONPROFESSIONAL EMPLOYEES INCLUDES SOCIAL SCIENCE SPECIALISTS, PSYCHOLOGY AIDES AND TECHNICIANS, PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND PERSONNEL STAFFING SPECIALISTS, POSITION CLASSIFICATION SPECIALISTS, OCCUPATIONAL ANALYSTS AND SPECIALISTS, SALARY AND WAGE ADMINISTRATION SPECIALISTS, CIVIL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES, EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS, MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAM ANALYSTS, COMPUTER SPECIALIST INSTRUCTORS, BUDGET AND ACCOUNTING INSTRUCTORS, BUDGET ANALYST INSTRUCTORS AND CONTRACT SPECIALIST INSTRUCTORS, TRAINING INSTRUCTORS, INVESTIGATORS AND INVESTIGATIONS TECHNICIANS. THE OPM SEEKS TO EXCLUDE FROM THE ABOVE-LISTED UNITS EMPLOYEES IN A TOTAL OF TWENTY-THREE POSITION CLASSIFICATIONS. PERSONNEL WORK IN OTHER THAN A PURELY CLERICAL CAPACITY EMPLOYEES IN TWENTY-ONE JOB CLASSIFICATIONS ARE SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED ON THE BASIS OF SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE AS BEING ENGAGED IN PERSONNEL WORK IN OTHER THAN A PURELY CLERICAL CAPACITY. THESE INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING: PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS, GS-201, ARE INVOLVED IN ALL AREAS OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT FOR CLIENT AGENCIES, I.E., STAFFING, COMPENSATION, AGENCY RELATIONS, EXECUTIVE PERSONNEL AND MANAGEMENT DEVELOPMENT, AND WORK FORCE EFFECTIVENESS, AND CONSTITUTE THE MAJORITY OF EMPLOYEES SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE. SOME PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE TO THE VARIOUS AGENCIES ON ALL AREAS OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. OTHER EMPLOYEES IN THESE POSITIONS ASSIST IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONNEL POLICIES, REGULATIONS, AND PROCEDURES APPLICABLE TO FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT BY PROVING INFORMATION AND GUIDANCE IN THESE AREAS. SOME EMPLOYEES DRAFT AND REVISE OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS; SOME CONDUCT STUDIES AND PROJECTS IN VARIOUS MANAGEMENT AREAS, AND OTHERS DEVELOP SPECIFIC PROGRAMS DEALING WITH WORK INCENTIVES OR EMPLOYEE PROBLEMS. SOME EMPLOYEES CLASSIFIED AS PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS PROVIDE CONSULTING SERVICES TO AGENCIES ON MANAGEMENT FUNCTIONS AND CONDUCT FORMAL EVALUATIONS OF AGENCY PERFORMANCE IN THE AREA OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT. OTHER EMPLOYEES IN THESE POSITIONS PROVIDE ADVICE ON SPECIAL EMPHASIS PROGRAMS, SUCH AS THOSE DESIGNED TO ASSIST WOMEN, MINORITIES, THE HANDICAPPED AND VETERANS. SOME PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS EVALUATE REGIONAL OFFICES AND HELP TO DEVISE SOLUTIONS TO THEIR MANAGEMENT PROBLEMS. FINALLY, SOME OF THOSE EMPLOYEES DEVELOP SYSTEMS OF RECORDS AND FORMS TO BE USED IN AGENCY MANAGEMENT, WHILE OTHERS ADMINISTER THE PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT GRANTS PROGRAM THAT PROVIDES MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE TO STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT AGENCIES PURSUANT TO THE INTERGOVERNMENTAL PERSONNEL PROGRAM ACT. THE OPM SEEKS TO EXCLUDE ALL OF THESE EMPLOYEES ON THE BASIS OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN ALL AREAS OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND THEIR PERFORMANCE OF WHAT OPM ALLEGES IS THE TYPE OF PERSONNEL WORK INTENDED TO BE EXCLUDED BY THE STATUTE. SOCIAL SCIENCE SPECIALISTS, GS-101, ARE INVOLVED IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALTERNATIVE EXAMINATION METHODS OF MEASURING THE REASONING ABILITIES OF DEAF, BLIND, AND OTHER HANDICAPPED JOB APPLICANTS AS WELL AS EXAMINATION METHODS FOR APPLICANTS OF NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING BACKGROUNDS. THESE EMPLOYEES ARE SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED ON THE BASIS THAT BY THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE EMPLOYEE SELECTION PROCESS AND INTERRELATIONSHIP WITH AGENCIES, THEY ARE INVOLVED IN PERSONNEL WORK AND EXCLUDABLE WITHIN THE MEANING OF SEC. 7122(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY SPECIALISTS, GS-160, PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE IN THE AREAS OF RECRUITMENT, UPWARD MOBILITY, AND WORKER-TRAINEE PROGRAMS TO FEDERAL AGENCIES AND TO COMMUNITY AND SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS CONCERNING THE FEDERAL EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM. GIVEN THEIR ADVISORY RELATIONSHIP TO THE MANAGEMENT OF VARIOUS AGENCIES OTHER THAN THEIR OWN IN THE AREA OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION EMPLOYMENT AND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN RECRUITMENT PROGRAMS, THE AGENCY HEREIN SEEKS TO EXCLUDE THEM ON THE BASIS OF SEC. 7112(B)(3) ALLEGING THEY PERFORM PERSONNEL WORK. PSYCHOLOGY AIDES AND TECHNICIANS, GS-181, PERFORM NONPROFESSIONAL WORK IN DEVELOPING EXAMINATIONS BY ASSEMBLING ELEMENTS OF EXAMINATIONS, DEVELOPING SAMPLE QUESTIONS OR PREPARING INSTRUCTIONS. THEY ACT AS SUPPORT STAFF TO PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGISTS AT OPM AND, IN THIS CONNECTION, ASSIST IN EXPERIMENTS AND ANALYSIS OF EXAMINATION METHODS USED BY CLIENT AGENCIES. THE OPM SEEKS THEIR EXCLUSION PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) ON THE BASIS OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN PERSONNEL STAFFING AND SELECTION PROCEDURES FOR OTHER AGENCIES. PERSONNEL CLERKS AND ASSISTANTS, GS-203, /4/ PROVIDE TECHNICAL AND SUPPORT SERVICES. THEY RATE JOB APPLICATIONS FOR POSITIONS IN LOWER GRADES OF VARIOUS OCCUPATIONS. IN THIS CONNECTION, THEY INTERVIEW APPLICANTS TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT RATINGS OR JOB QUALIFICATIONS. EMPLOYEES IN THESE POSITIONS MAINTAIN REGISTERS OF QUALIFIED APPLICANTS AND AUDIT CERTIFICATES TO DETERMINE IF SELECTION HAS BEEN MADE IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATIONS. FINALLY, SOME PERSONNEL CLERKS AND ASSISTANTS PROVIDE INFORMATION ABOUT FEDERAL EXAMINATIONS AND EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS, AND FILING AND EXAMINING PROCEDURES. THE POSITION OPERATES AS A "BRIDGE" POSITION BETWEEN CLERICALS AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS. THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN SELECTION PROCEDURES AND THEIR GENERAL SUPPORT RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER EMPLOYEES INVOLVED IN PERSONNEL MATTERS, ARE THE BASES ON WHICH THE AGENCY SEEKS TO EXCLUDE THEM FROM THE BARGAINING UNIT BY REASON OF SEC. 7112(B)(3). PERSONNEL STAFFING SPECIALISTS, GS-212, PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION TO AGENCIES CONCERNING RECRUITING AND EXAMINING ACTIVITIES. THEY REVIEW, ANALYZE AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON A VARIETY OF AGENCY PERSONNEL ACTIONS INCLUDING REDUCTION-IN-FORCE, EARLY RETIREMENT AND WAIVER OF REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS. SOME OF THESE EMPLOYEES ALSO DRAFT LEGISLATION CONCERNING STAFFING MATTERS, ASSIST IN THE OPERATION OF A REFERRAL SYSTEM FOR SENIOR LEVEL POSITIONS, AND DEVELOP RATING SCHEDULES TO BE USED IN COMPETITIVE EXAMINING PROGRAMS. THE AGENCY ALLEGES THAT THESE EMPLOYEES PLAY MAJOR ROLES IN IMPLEMENTING THE REORGANIZATION PLAN DESIGNED TO DECENTRALIZE STAFFING PROCEDURES BY GIVING AGENCIES GREATER SELECTION RESPONSIBILITIES. THUS, THE AGENCY CONTENDS, IN EFFECT, THAT GIVEN THEIR ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE DUTIES AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT OF VARIOUS AGENCIES, THESE EMPLOYEES SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE UNIT PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE. POSITION CLASSIFICATION SPECIALISTS, GS-221, OFFER ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO MANAGEMENT OF VARIOUS CLIENT AGENCIES CONCERNING POSITION CLASSIFICATION AND GRADING, AND, ON REQUEST, REVIEW POSITIONS TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE TITLE, SERIES AND GRADE. THEY ALSO MAKE DECISIONS ON APPEALS FROM AGENCY DETERMINATIONS ON POSITION CLASSIFICATIONS /5/ AS WELL AS PROVIDE ADVISORY OPINIONS ON MAJOR CLASSIFICATION ACTIONS THAT ARE ANTICIPATED BY AGENCIES. ACCORDINGLY, THE OPM MAINTAINS THAT THEIR CLOSE ADVISORY RELATIONSHIP TO VARIOUS AGENCY MANAGEMENTS AND THEIR PARTICIPATION IN ASSISTING THESE AGENCIES TO CLASSIFY THEIR POSITIONS SHOULD LEAD TO THEIR EXCLUSION UNDER THE STATUTE PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3). OCCUPATIONAL ANALYSTS AND SPECIALISTS, GS-222, CONDUCT STUDIES OF OCCUPATIONS TO IDENTIFY THE TYPE OF KNOWLEDGE, SKILL AND ABILITY NECESSARY TO PERFORM A TASK AND, FROM THIS ANALYSIS, DETERMINE TRAINING NEEDS APPROPRIATE TO THE POSITION. THE AGENCY ARGUES IN EFFECT THAT THE USE OF THESE EMPLOYEES' ANALYSES BY MANAGEMENT AND AGENCY TRAINING SPECIALISTS WOULD JUSTIFY EXCLUDING THESE POSITIONS FROM THE BARGAINING UNIT. SALARY AND WAGE SPECIALISTS, GS-223, DEVELOP PROGRAMS AND CONDUCT SURVEYS DESIGNED TO OBTAIN WAGE INFORMATION THAT IS USED IN DETERMINING FEDERAL PAY SCALES FOR TRADESMEN, CRAFTSMEN, AND LABORERS. THEY ALSO MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON PAY FOR GENERAL SCHEDULE EMPLOYEES AND SUBMIT PROPOSALS CONCERNING EXECUTIVE PAY. THESE SPECIALISTS ALSO STUDY PAY COMPARABILITY, ALLOWANCE AND PAY DIFFERENTIAL PROBLEMS. FINALLY, THEY PROVIDE INFORMATION ON A VARIETY OF WAGE MATTERS TO FEDERAL AGENCIES AND EMPLOYEE GROUPS. THE AGENCY CONTENDS THAT BECAUSE THESE EMPLOYEES PARTICIPATE IN SALARY DETERMINATIONS THEY PERFORM "PERSONNEL WORK", AND ARE THUS EXCLUDABLE PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE BECAUSE THEY PARTICIPATE IN SALARY DETERMINATIONS. EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS, GS-235, ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR DEVELOPING TRAINING PROGRAMS IN SUCH AREAS AS MANAGEMENT, PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS. THEY PROVIDE TRAINING PROGRAM INFORMATION TO VARIOUS AGENCIES, ASSIST AGENCIES IN DEVELOPING TRAINING PROGRAMS, MONITOR AND EVALUATE PROGRAM EFFECTIVENESS AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR PROGRAM IMPROVEMENT. THE AGENCY SEEKS TO EXCLUDE THEM FROM THE BARGAINING UNIT BECAUSE OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE TRAINING OF AGENCY OFFICIALS IN MANAGEMENT AREAS. CIVIL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES, GS-301, SERVE AS LIAISON BETWEEN OPM AND THE CONGRESS. THESE EMPLOYEES RESPOND TO QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND THEIR CONSTITUENTS CONCERNING SUCH MATTERS AS RETIREMENT, PAY, AND JOB INFORMATION. IN EFFECT, THE AGENCY ARGUES THAT THEY SHOULD BE EXCLUDED PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) FROM THE BARGAINING UNIT BY REASON OF THEIR STATUS AS REPRESENTATIVES OF OPM AND IN EFFECT BECAUSE IT STATES THEY COULD BE CALLED UPON TO USE DISCRETION IN RESPONDING TO INQUIRIES FROM THE PUBLIC REGARDING PERSONNEL MATTERS. COMPUTER SPECIALIST INSTRUCTOR, GS-334, DEVELOP AND CONDUCT COURSES IN COMPUTER PROGRAMMING, SYSTEMS ANALYSIS AND OTHER COMPUTER FUNCTIONS. THEY ALSO MONITOR AND EVALUATE AGENCY TRAINING COURSES AND ASSIST AGENCIES IN DETERMINING NEEDS AND RESOURCES IN AGENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS IN THIS AREA. THE OPM SEEKS TO EXCLUDE THESE EMPLOYEES BY REASON OF SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE BECAUSE OF THIS INVOLVEMENT WITH AGENCY TRAINING PROGRAMS. MANAGEMENT ANALYSTS, GS-343, AND PROGRAM ANALYSTS, GS-345, PERFORM WORK SIMILAR TO THAT OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS /6/ IN THAT IT INVOLVES MANY OF THE SAME FUNCTIONS: PROVIDING INFORMATION AND RESOURCES, PREPARING AND DELIVERING TRAINING COURSES, OR PROVIDING ADVICE AND CONSULTATION TO AGENCY MANAGEMENT. HOWEVER, MANAGEMENT ANALYSTS, AS SUGGESTED BY THEIR TITLE, BRING A SPECIAL KNOWLEDGE OF AGENCY ADMINISTRATION AND RESOURCES AND PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT TO THEIR JOBS, WHILE PROGRAM ANALYSTS DIRECT THEIR SKILLS TOWARD THE MANAGEMENT ASPECTS OF A PARTICULAR PROGRAM, SUCH AS OCCUPATIONAL HEALTH SAFETY OR PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS. THE OPM SEEKS TO EXCLUDE MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAM ANALYSTS FROM THE OPM UNITS HEREIN PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE ON THE BASIS OF THE SIMILARITY OF THEIR WORK TO THAT OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH AND ORIENTATION TO THE CONCERNS OF MANAGEMENT OF THE AGENCIES THEY ADVISE. BUDGETING AND ACCOUNTING INSTRUCTORS, GS-504, BUDGET ANALYST INSTRUCTORS, GS-560, AND CONTRACT SPECIALISTS INSTRUCTORS, GS-1102, PLAN, DEVELOP AND CONDUCT TRAINING COURSES IN THEIR RESPECTIVE DISCIPLINES. TRAINING INSTRUCTORS, GS-1712, LIKEWISE, DESIGN, DEVELOP AND CONDUCT COURSES IN THE AREAS OF OFFICE SKILLS, SUPERVISORY SKILLS, AND COMMUNICATION SKILLS. ALL INSTRUCTORS ALSO PROVIDE ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE TO AGENCIES CONCERNING THEIR SPECIFIC TRAINING NEEDS. THE INSTRUCTORS' RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF TRAINING PROGRAMS IN LIGHT OF OCCUPATIONAL REQUIREMENTS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO AGENCY MANAGEMENT ARE THE BASIS ON WHICH OPM SEEKS TO EXCLUDE THEM FROM THE BARGAINING UNIT PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE. ATTORNEYS, GS-905, IN THE OFFICE OF GENERAL COUNSEL, HANDLE LEGAL PROBLEMS RELATING TO EMPLOYMENT UNDER CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS, INCLUDING EXAMINATIONS, QUALIFICATIONS, CERTIFICATION, SELECTION, AND VETERANS PREFERENCE. /7/ THEY ALSO SERVE AS ADVISORS TO OPM ON THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT AND THE ETHICS IN GOVERNMENT ACT OF 1968. THE AGENCY CONTENDS, IN EFFECT, THAT AS LEGAL ADVISORS TO OPM ON PERSONNEL MATTERS, THEY ARE INVOLVED IN THE TYPE OF PERSONNEL WORK EXCLUDABLE PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE. ECONOMISTS, GS-110, CONDUCT STUDIES AND SURVEYS THAT ARE USED IN ESTABLISHING PAY SCHEDULES. IN THIS CONNECTION, THEY EXAMINE PAY SYSTEMS IN THE PRIVATE, PUBLIC AND FEDERAL SECTORS, COLLECT AND ANALYZE ECONOMIC DATA, AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS IN AREAS OF COMPENSATION INCLUDING WAGES, LIVING ALLOWANCES, AND BENEFITS. THEY ALSO PERFORM RESEARCH STUDIES AND RECOMMEND WAYS TO IMPROVE THE COST-OF-LIVING ALLOWANCE PROGRAM TO ENSURE THAT IT IS ADMINISTERED IN CONFORMANCE WITH STATUTORY INTENT. OPM MAINTAINS THAT BY REASON OF THEIR WORK IN CONDUCTING STUDIES AND SURVEYS THAT ARE UTILIZED IN THE ESTABLISHMENT OF PAY SCHEDULES THEY SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE BARGAINING UNIT PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE. PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGISTS, GS-180, CONDUCT STUDIES OF EXAMINATION METHODS AND PROCEDURES. THEY ALSO RESEARCH AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS ON METHODS TO IMPROVE EMPLOYEE MORALE, PRODUCTIVITY AND JOB PERFORMANCE. IN THIS CONNECTION, THEY ACT AS CONSULTANTS TO AGENCIES AND ASSIST THEM IN SOLVING VARIOUS PERSONNEL PROBLEMS. THEY ALSO ADVISE AGENCIES ON THE USE OF PERFORMANCE APPRAISALS AND EVALUATIONS. THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH TESTING PROCEDURES AND CONCERN FOR PROMOTING PRODUCTIVITY AND JOB PERFORMANCE ARE THE BASIS ON WHICH THE ACTIVITY SEEKS TO EXCLUDE THEM FROM THE BARGAINING UNIT PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE. IN ADDITION TO THE SPECIFIC ARGUMENTS SET FORTH FOR EACH OF THE POSITION CLASSIFICATIONS, THE PETITIONER URGES THE EXCLUSION OF THESE EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE STATUTE ON THE THEORY THAT WITH THE PASSAGE OF THE CIVIL SERVICE REFORM ACT AND THE IMPLEMENTATION OF REORGANIZATION PLAN NO. 2 OF 1978, THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT HAS BECOME THE CENTRAL PERSONNEL OFFICE FOR THE EXECUTIVE BRANCH OF THE GOVERNMENT AND THAT THE INVOLVEMENT OF THE EMPLOYEES AT ISSUE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF PERSONNEL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES ON BEHALF OF AGENCY MANAGEMENT WOULD CONSTITUTE A CONFLICT OF INTEREST IF THESE EMPLOYEES WERE INCLUDED. THE AGENCY FURTHER ASSERTS THAT AS THE CENTRAL PERSONNEL OFFICE, OPM IS NOW CHARGED WITH THE RESPONSIBILITY OF ASSISTING THE PRESIDENT IN PROMOTING, RATHER THAN SIMPLY ADMINISTERING, AN EFFICIENT CIVIL SERVICE. THIS NEW MISSION, IN TURN, HAS CREATED NEW JOB RESPONSIBILITIES FOR SOME POSITIONS, PARTICULARLY IN TERMS OF MANAGEMENT CONSULTING AND ACTIVE INVOLVEMENT IN DIRECTING PERSONNEL POLICIES. IN OTHER POSITIONS, PRIORITIES HAVE BEEN REVISED, WHERE, FOR EXAMPLE, CONCERN FOR EFFICIENCY AND PRODUCTIVITY AND A NEW ORIENTATION TOWARD AGENCY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE HAVE BEEN STRESSED. THE RESULT, IT IS ASSERTED, IS THAT THESE EMPLOYEES PROVIDE ADVICE ON HOW TO DEAL WITH PERSONNEL MATTERS SIMILAR TO THE WAY CENTRAL PERSONNEL OFFICES OPERATE, AND SHOULD BE EXCLUDED ON THE BASIS THAT THEY PERFORM PERSONNEL WORK THAT IS INTERNAL TO ALL FEDERAL AGENCIES. THE AFGE OPPOSES EXCLUSION OF THESE EMPLOYEES PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(3) ON THE GROUNDS THAT DESPITE THE REORGANIZATION OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION AND THE CREATION OF THE OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES IN THE WORK PERFORMED BY THESE EMPLOYEES WHICH WOULD REQUIRE THEIR EXCLUSION FROM THE BARGAINING UNITS. THE PRACTICE OF EXCLUDING FROM BARGAINING UNITS EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN FEDERAL PERSONNEL WORK HAS BEEN A PART OF THE FORMALIZED FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT PROGRAM SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1962. DURING THE PERIOD FROM 1962 TO 1969, SECTION 6(A)(2) OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 10988 REQUIRED THE EXCLUSION FROM UNITS OF "ANY EMPLOYEE ENGAGED IN FEDERAL PERSONNEL WORK IN OTHER THAN A PURELY CLERICAL CAPACITY." THIS IDENTICAL EXCLUSION WAS CARRIED OVER UNDER SECTION 10(B)(2) OF EXECUTIVE ORDER 11491, FROM 1970 THROUGH 1978. THROUGHOUT THE FEDERAL SERVICE, IMPLEMENTATION OF THESE PROVISIONS RESULTED IN THE EXCLUSION FROM BARGAINING UNITS OF EMPLOYEES OF AN AGENCY WHO DID PERSONNEL WORK WITHIN THAT AGENCY. AT THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION, EMPLOYEES DOING SUCH INTERNAL PERSONNEL WORK WERE EXCLUDED FROM BARGAINING UNITS BUT EMPLOYEES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION WHO PERFORMED THE PERSONNEL ADVISORY AND ASSISTANCE FUNCTIONS FOR OTHER AGENCIES WERE NOT EXCLUDED FROM BARGAINING UNITS ON THE BASIS OF THE "PERSONNEL WORK" EXCLUSION. IN SEC. 7112(B)(3) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE, CONGRESS ADOPTED THE PRACTICE UNDER THE EXECUTIVE ORDER PROGRAM OF EXCLUDING FROM BARGAINING UNITS AN EMPLOYEE ENGAGED IN PERSONNEL WORK IN OTHER THAN A PURELY CLERICAL CAPACITY. IN THE LEGISLATIVE HISTORY OF THE STATUTE, THERE IS NO INDICATION THAT CONGRESS SOUGHT TO EXTEND SUCH EXCLUSIONARY PRACTICE BEYOND ITS HISTORICAL SCOPE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES OF THE OPM WHO PARTICIPATE IN THE DELIVERY OF THAT AGENCY'S PERSONNEL ADVISORY SERVICES TO OTHER AGENCIES. IT IS UNDISPUTED THAT THE EMPLOYEES HERE SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE EXISTING UNITS ON THE BASIS OF SEC. 7112(B)(3) ARE NOT INVOLVED IN DOING THE OPM'S INTERNAL PERSONNEL WORK, BUT, AS NOTED ABOVE, THEY ARE EMPLOYEES DOING WORK RELATED TO OPM'S MISSION OF DELIVERING PERSONNEL ASSISTANCE TO OTHER AGENCIES. OF THE TWENTY-THREE POSITIONS SOUGHT TO BE CLARIFIED OUT OF THE UNIT (INCLUDING THE INVESTIGATIVE POSITIONS WHICH ARE DISCUSSED BELOW), TWENTY-ONE POSITIONS WERE TRANSFERRED TO OPM FROM THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION. THESE OPM EMPLOYEES PERFORM WORK THAT IS SIMILAR, AND IN MOST CASES IDENTICAL, TO WORK THEY PERFORMED AS EMPLOYEES OF THE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION. FOR THESE EMPLOYEES, THE TRANSFER TO OPM RESULTED AT MOST IN TITLE CHANGES, REDISTRIBUTION OF WORK LOAD, OR REASSIGNMENT TO NEWLY TITLED OR NEWLY ORGANIZED DEPARTMENTS. THE RECORD SHOWS THAT EMPLOYEES IN MANY OF THE POSITION CLASSIFICATIONS DISCUSSED ABOVE AND SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED AS BEING ENGAGED IN PERSONNEL WORK AS DEFINED IN SEC. 7113(B)(3) PERFORM THEIR DUTIES IN AN ADVISORY CAPACITY. PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS, WHEN ACTING AS ADVISORS, PROVIDE GUIDANCE AND INFORMATION ON VARIOUS MATTERS RELATING TO PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS AND PERSONNEL POLICIES, REGULATIONS AND PROCEDURES. OTHER EMPLOYEES, INCLUDING STAFFING SPECIALISTS AND EMPLOYEE DEVELOPMENT SPECIALISTS ANALYZE, IN RESPONSE TO AN AGENCY'S REQUEST, PERSONNEL NEEDS REGARDING RECRUITMENT, TRAINING OR JOB CLASSIFICATION, AND HELP THE AGENCY TO FRAME PLANS OR SOLUTIONS TO RELATED PROBLEMS. FREQUENTLY, THIS ASSISTANCE TAKES THE FORM OF COLLECTING DATA, SUGGESTING METHODS AND PROCEDURES, TRANSMITTING INFORMATION, OR ASSEMBLING AND DELIVERING COURSE MATERIALS. /8/ SOME OF THE EMPLOYEES SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED DO RESEARCH, AND ARE INVOLVED IN THE DESIGN OF PAY SYSTEMS, MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS OR IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF METHODS AND PROCEDURES OF COLLECTING DATA, ADMINISTERING EXAMS, OR RECRUITING APPLICANTS. /9/ AS ADVISORS, THE EMPLOYEES SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED ON THE BASIS OF THEIR PERSONNEL-RELATED WORK DEAL WITH THE PERSONNEL MATTERS OF AGENCIES OTHER THAN OPM. THEY ARE CONCERNED PRIMARILY WITH THE SYSTEM OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT RATHER THAN WITH INDIVIDUAL PERSONNEL PROBLEMS. THUS, SUCH EMPLOYEES MAY ADVISE ON SELECTING AND HIRING PROCEDURES BUT DO NOT MAKE FINAL DETERMINATIONS REGARDING WHICH SELECTION PROCEDURES ARE USED OR WHICH APPLICANTS ARE HIRED. SIMILARLY, WHILE MANY OF THESE EMPLOYEES MAY COMMENT ON POLICIES, NONE HAS FINAL POLICY-MAKING AUTHORITY, AND WHATEVER THEIR ROLE VIS-A-VIS CLIENT AGENCIES, THE RECORD DOES NOT ESTABLISH THAT THE OPM EMPLOYEES IN QUESTION DO PERSONNEL WORK WHICH HAS DIRECT IMPACT ON THE EMPLOYEES OF THEIR OWN AGENCY. IT IS CLEAR THAT THE EMPLOYEES SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE BARGAINING UNIT ON THE BASIS OF SEC. 7112(B)(3) PERFORM WORK THAT RELATES IN SOME WAY TO PERSONNEL MATTERS, BUT IT DOES NOT FOLLOW THAT THEY ARE "ENGAGED IN PERSONNEL WORK" WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE STATUTE. EMPLOYEES WHO PERFORM "INTERNAL" PERSONNEL WORK, THAT IS, WORK RELATING DIRECTLY TO THE PERSONNEL OPERATIONS OF THEIR OWN EMPLOYING AGENCY, WOULD BE FACED WITH A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BETWEEN THEIR JOBS AND UNION REPRESENTATION IF INCLUDED IN THE UNIT, A CONFLICT NOT PRESENT FOR THE EMPLOYEES HEREIN. /10/ THUS, THOSE WHO SERVE AS ADVISORS ON PERSONNEL MATTERS TO AGENCIES OTHER THAN THEIR OWN ARE NOT INVOLVED IN PERSONNEL WORK WHICH AFFECTS UNIT EMPLOYEES. SIMILARLY, OTHER EMPLOYEES AT ISSUE HEREIN SUCH AS ATTORNEYS, AND CIVIL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES (WHO PERFORM CONGRESSIONAL LIAISON FUNCTIONS), PERFORM WORK THAT REQUIRES A KNOWLEDGE OF PERSONNEL MATTERS BUT DOES IMPACT ON THE UNIT. THUS, CIVIL SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES ARE NOT "ENGAGED IN PERSONNEL WORK" BUT RATHER ARE CONCERNED WITH PERSONNEL MATTERS ONLY TO THE EXTENT THAT IT IS THEIR JOB TO PROVIDE ANSWERS TO PUBLIC INQUIRIES ON PERSONNEL REGULATIONS, POLICIES AND PROCEDURES. THE ATTORNEYS IN QUESTION DO LEGAL WORK FOR THE AGENCY AND ADVISE OTHER AGENCIES IN REGARD TO EMPLOYMENT UNDER CIVIL SERVICE REGULATIONS BUT, IN THIS INSTANCE, ARE NOT INVOLVED IN INTERNAL PERSONNEL WORK. ADDITIONALLY, THE PERSONNEL CLERKS AND ASSISTANTS, AND PSYCHOLOGY AIDES AND TECHNICIANS, ALTHOUGH WORKING IN ORGANIZATIONAL AREAS THAT INVOLVE PERSONNEL MATTERS, PERFORM SUPPORT SERVICES WHICH DO NOT AFFECT INTERNAL PERSONNEL MATTERS AND THUS ARE NOT "ENGAGED IN PERSONNEL WORK". ACCORDINGLY, AS NONE OF THE EMPLOYEES LISTED IN THE PETITION DO THE KIND OF WORK WHICH WOULD GIVE RISE TO A CONFLICT OF INTEREST BETWEEN THEIR JOB AND UNION REPRESENTATION, THE AUTHORITY FINDS THAT EMPLOYEES IN THESE POSITIONS ARE NOT ENGAGED IN PERSONNEL WORK IN OTHER THAN A PURELY CLERICAL CAPACITY WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE STATUTE, AND THEREFORE SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED FROM THE UNIT ON THE BASIS OF SEC. 7112(B)(3). INVESTIGATIVE WORK WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS NATIONAL SECURITY OPM ALSO ASSERTS THAT TWO GROUPS OF EMPLOYEES, INVESTIGATORS, GS-1810, AND INVESTIGATIONS TECHNICIANS, GS-1899, SHOULD BE EXCLUDED FROM THE BARGAINING UNITS DESCRIBED ABOVE ON THE BASIS OF SEC. 7112(B)(6) BECAUSE THEY ARE ENGAGED IN INVESTIGATIVE WORK WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS NATIONAL SECURITY. THE AFGE CONTENDS THAT THE EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN INVESTIGATIVE WORK, SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(6), ARE NOT ENGAGED IN WORK WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS NATIONAL SECURITY. EMPLOYEES IN THESE POSITIONS CONDUCT FULL INVESTIGATIONS INTO APPLICANTS' QUALIFICATIONS AND SUITABILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT. AMONG THE AGENCIES FOR WHOM THESE INVESTIGATIONS ARE PERFORMED ARE THE DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, THE NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY AND THE NUCLEAR REGULATORY COMMISSION. ADDITIONALLY, EMPLOYEES OF VARIOUS PRIVATE CONTRACTORS ARE INVESTIGATED, PARTICULARLY IF THEY WOULD HAVE ACCESS TO NUCLEAR MATERIALS IN WEAPONS, POWER GENERATION, AND HEALTH PROJECTS. ON THE BASIS OF THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN THESE PARTICULAR INVESTIGATIONS, THE AGENCY CONTENDS THE EMPLOYEES AT ISSUE ARE ENGAGED IN INVESTIGATIVE WORK WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS NATIONAL SECURITY. IN CONDUCTING INVESTIGATIONS, THE INCUMBENTS SEEK INFORMATION REGARDING THE ACCURACY OF INFORMATION GIVEN BY JOB APPLICANTS AND DO BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS INTO THE CHARACTER AND GENERAL SUITABILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT OF THOSE APPLICANTS. ACCORDING TO UNCONTRADICTED TESTIMONY, THESE EMPLOYEES DO NOT DO INVESTIGATIONS FOR SUCH ORGANIZATIONS AS THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATIONS, THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OR THE CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, NOR DO THEY CONDUCT LOYALTY INVESTIGATIONS. IN THE EVENT A QUESTION OF LOYALTY IS RAISED IN THE COURSE OF ONE OF THEIR INVESTIGATIONS, THEY DO NOT PURSUE IT. INSTEAD, SUCH A CASE WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE FBI. THESE EMPLOYEES PERFORM A PURELY FACT-FINDING MISSION, ON INSTRUCTIONS FROM INDIVIDUAL CLIENT AGENCIES, AND REPORT FINDINGS WITHOUT RECOMMENDING ACTIONS IN ANY CASE. THEY MAKE NO DETERMINATION REGARDING THE NEED FOR AN INVESTIGATION, THE DEPTH OF INVESTIGATION REQUIRED, OR AN INDIVIDUAL'S SUITABILITY FOR EMPLOYMENT. AS NOTED ABOVE, TO EXCLUDE AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS ENGAGED IN INVESTIGATIVE WORK UNDER SEC. 7112(B)(6), IT MUST BE SHOWN THAT THE WORK "DIRECTLY AFFECTS NATIONAL SECURITY." AS ALREADY INDICATED THE EMPLOYEES AT ISSUE HEREIN ARE FACT-FINDERS WHO OBTAIN INFORMATION REGARDING APPLICANTS' SUITABILITY FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT AND MAKE NO DETERMINATIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MOREOVER, INVESTIGATORS SPECIFICALLY ARE PRECLUDED FROM EXPLORING MATTERS CONCERNING AN APPLICANT'S LOYALTY, AND THE RECORD DOES NOT ESTABLISH THAT THEY INVESTIGATE IN OTHER AREAS OF POTENTIAL RISK TO NATIONAL SECURITY. IN SHORT, THESE EMPLOYEES PLAY NO DIRECT ROLE IN HIRING PEOPLE AND DO NOT THEMSELVES DIRECTLY AFFECT THE DECISION WHETHER TO HIRE. THUS, WITH RESPECT TO THE POSITIONS SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED PURSUANT TO SEC. 7112(B)(6), THE AUTHORITY FINDS NOTHING IN THE RECORD TO INDICATE THE WORK OF THESE EMPLOYEES DIRECTLY AFFECTS NATIONAL SECURITY. /11/ FOR THIS REASON, THE AUTHORITY FINDS THAT THE EMPLOYEES ENGAGED IN INVESTIGATIVE WORK SHOULD NOT BE EXCLUDED FROM THE BARGAINING UNITS ON THE BASIS OF SEC. 7112(B)(6) AND SHALL ORDER THAT THE PORTIONS OF THE PETITIONS SEEKING TO EXCLUDE THE EMPLOYEES ON THE BASIS OF SEC. 7112(B)(3) AND (6) OF THE STATUTE BE DISMISSED. AMENDMENT OF CERTIFICATIONS FINALLY, THE UNDISPUTED PORTIONS OF THE ABOVE PETITIONS (1-CU-9; 2-CU-3; 3-CU-10; 7-CU-6; 3-CU-11; AND 3-CU-13), TOGETHER WITH THE PETITION OF THE SEATTLE REGIONAL OFFICE (9-AC-2), REQUEST THAT THE CERTIFICATIONS OF EACH OF THE BARGAINING UNITS BE AMENDED TO SHOW THE CHANGE OF NAME FROM THE U.S. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION TO THE U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND TO REFLECT THE APPROPRIATE DESIGNATIONS OF EACH OF THE NAMED REGIONAL OFFICES, I.E., BOSTON (NOW NEW ENGLAND), NEW YORK (NOW EASTERN), PHILADELPHIA (NOW MID-ATLANTIC), ST. LOUIS (NOW MID-CONTINENT), AND SEATTLE (NOW NORTHWESTERN) REGIONAL OFFICES, AND THE NATIONAL OFFICE. THE REMAINING PETITIONS (3-AC-5 AND 3-AC-6) SEEK TO AMEND THE CERTIFICATIONS OF EACH OF THE BARGAINING UNITS IN THE NATIONAL CHECK AND INQUIRY CENTER AND THE EMPLOYEE SERVICE AND RECORDS CENTER IN BOYERS, PENNSYLVANIA. AS THE RECORD SUPPORTS SUCH AMENDMENTS AND THERE IS NO OBJECTION BY ANY PARTY, THE AUTHORITY WILL ORDER THAT THE OPM PETITIONS TO AMEND THE CERTIFICATION TO SHOW THE CHANGE IN THE NAME OF THE AGENCY FROM THE U.S. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION TO THE U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, AND TO REFLECT THE APPROPRIATE DESIGNATION OF EACH OF THE REGIONAL OFFICES, THE NATIONAL OFFICE, THE NATIONAL CHECK AND INQUIRY CENTER AND THE EMPLOYEE SERVICE AND RECORDS CENTER, BE GRANTED. ORDER IT IS HEREBY ORDERED, IN CASE NOS. 1-CU-9; 2-CU-3; 3-AC-5; 3-AC-6; 3-CU-10; 3-CU-11; 3-CU-13; 7-CU-6 AND 9-AC-2, THAT THE CERTIFICATIONS OF BARGAINING UNITS IN THE NATIONAL AND REGIONAL OFFICES OF THE U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT, EXCLUSIVELY REPRESENTED BY THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, BE AMENDED TO REFLECT THE CHANGE OF NAME FROM THE U.S. CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION TO THE U.S. OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND THE APPROPRIATE DESIGNATION OF EACH OF THE REGIONAL OFFICES, THE NATIONAL OFFICE, THE NATIONAL CHECK AND INQUIRY CENTER AND THE EMPLOYEE SERVICE AND RECORDS CENTER. IT IS HEREBY FURTHER ORDERED THAT THE PORTIONS OF THE PETITIONS IN CASE NOS. 1-CU-9; 2-CU-3; 3-CU-10; 3-CU-11; 3-CU-13 AND 7-CU-6 SEEKING TO EXCLUDE EMPLOYEES ON THE BASIS OF SEC. 7112(B)(3) AND(6) OF THE STATUTE, AND THE ENTIRE PETITION IN CASE NO. 9-CU-5, WHICH SEEKS TO DO THE SAME, BE, AND THEY HEREBY ARE, DISMISSED. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., MARCH 4, 1981 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY --------------- FOOTNOTES$ --------------- /1/ SECTION 7112(B)(3) AND (6) OF THE STATUTE PROVIDES: SEC. 7112. DETERMINATION OF APPROPRIATE UNITS FOR LABOR ORGANIZATION REPRESENTATION. . . . . (B) A UNIT SHALL NOT BE DETERMINED TO BE APPROPRIATE . . . IF IT INCLUDES-- . . . . (3) AN EMPLOYEE ENGAGED IN PERSONNEL WORK IN OTHER THAN A PURELY CLERICAL CAPACITY . . . . . . . . (6) ANY EMPLOYEE ENGAGED IN INTELLIGENCE, COUNTERINTELLIGENCE, INVESTIGATIVE, OR SECURITY WORK WHICH DIRECTLY AFFECTS NATIONAL SECURITY . . . . /2/ WITH THE EXCEPTION OF THE SEATTLE (NORTHWESTERN) REGIONAL OFFICE PETITIONS (9-CU-5; 9-AC-2), THE REQUESTS TO AMEND THE BARGAINING UNIT CERTIFICATIONS WERE NOT FILED SEPARATELY FROM THE PETITIONS TO CLARIFY THE BARGAINING UNITS. THUS, THE SIX PETITIONS NUMBERED 1-CU-9; 2-CU-3; 3-CU-10; 7-CU-6; 3-CU-11 AND 3-CU-13 SEEK BOTH TO CLARIFY THE NAMED BARGAINING UNIT AND TO AMEND ITS CERTIFICATION, THE PETITION NUMBERED 9-CU-5 SEEKS ONLY TO CLARIFY THE EXISTING BARGAINING UNIT, AND THE PETITIONS NUMBERED 9-AC-2, 3-AC-5, AND 3-AC-6 SEEK ONLY TO AMEND THE CERTIFICATIONS OF BARGAINING UNITS. /3/ 5 U.S.C. SEC. 1103(A)(7)(1978). /4/ THE PERSONNEL CLERKS AND ASSISTANTS SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED IN THIS INSTANCE ARE THOSE AT THE GS-5 LEVEL OR ABOVE OR THOSE TARGETS TO THE GS-5 LEVEL OR ABOVE. /5/ ACCORDING TO THE RECORD, THE DECISION ON A CLASSIFICATION APPEAL IS BASED ON THE APPLICATION OF THE MOST APPROPRIATE CLASSIFICATION STANDARD TO THE PARTICULAR FACTS OF THE CASE; IT IS A NEUTRAL, NON-DISCRETIONARY FUNCTION BASED ON TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS. /6/ THE AGENCY DOES NOT SEEK TO EXCLUDE ALL MANAGEMENT ANALYSTS BUT ONLY THOSE WHO PERFORM "PERSONNEL" WORK. THUS, IT IS ONLY THE WORK OF THE MANAGEMENT ANALYSTS NAMED IN THE PETITION THAT IS SIMILAR TO THAT PERFORMED BY PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT SPECIALISTS AND IT IS ONLY THESE MANAGEMENT ANALYSTS WHO ARE SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED FROM THE BARGAINING UNIT. /7/ ACCORDING TO THE RECORD, THE ATTORNEYS SOUGHT TO BE EXCLUDED BY THIS PETITION ARE NOT INVOLVED IN LABOR RELATIONS WORK. /8/ AMONG THE OTHER CLASSIFICATIONS OF EMPLOYEES WHO DO THIS KIND OF WORK ARE: POSITION CLASSIFICATION SPECIALISTS (PROVIDE CLASSIFICATION AND GRADING ADVICE, ANALYSIS AND RECOMMENDATIONS REGARDING TITLE, SERIES, AND GRADES), SOCIAL SCIENCE SPECIALISTS (DEVELOP ALTERNATIVE EXAMINATION METHODS FOR HANDICAPPED OR NON-ENGLISH SPEAKING INDIVIDUALS), EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY SPECIALISTS (PROVIDE ASSISTANCE AND INFORMATION RELATING TO THE FEDERAL EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM), OCCUPATIONAL ANALYSTS AND SPECIALISTS (IDENTIFY TRAINING NEEDS AND DEVELOP TRAINING PROGRAMS), AND COMPUTER SPECIALIST INSTRUCTORS, BUDGET AND ACCOUNTING INSTRUCTORS, BUDGET ANALYST INSTRUCTORS, CONTRACT SPECIALIST INSTRUCTORS AND TRAINING INSTRUCTORS (DEVELOP AND CONDUCT COURSES IN SPECIFIC AREA OF EXPERTISE). /9/ THESE INCLUDE ECONOMISTS, MANAGEMENT AND PROGRAM ANALYSTS, PERSONNEL PSYCHOLOGISTS, AND SALARY AND WAGE SPECIALISTS. /10/ THE AGENCY ARGUES THAT THE PERSONNEL-RELATED WORK PERFORMED BY EMPLOYEES AT ISSUE HEREIN IMPACTS ON THE STATUS OF ITS OWN EMPLOYEES TO THE SAME EXTENT THAT IT IMPACTS ON ALL OTHER FEDERAL EMPLOYEES, AND THUS SHOULD BE CHARACTERIZED AS BEING "INTERNAL" TO THE SAME DEGREE AS THE PERSONNEL WORK THAT IS PERFORMED BY THE OPM'S INTERNAL PERSONNEL OFFICE. THIS ARGUMENT IS REJECTED, IN THAT THE RECORD DOES NOT SUPPORT THE PREMISE THAT THE WORK OF THE EMPLOYEES INVOLVED HEREIN WHO DEAL WITH PERSONNEL-RELATED MATTERS FOR OTHER AGENCIES, HAS A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE AGENCY'S OWN EMPLOYEES. /11/ CF. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY, OAK RIDGE OPERATIONS, OAK RIDGE, TENNESSEE, 4 FLRA NO. 85(1980), PP. 10-11.