[ v09 p869 ]
09:0869(116)CA
The decision of the Authority follows:
9 FLRA No. 116 DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, MARE ISLAND SHIPYARD, VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA Respondent and FEDERAL EMPLOYEES METAL TRADES COUNCIL, VALLEJO, CALIFORNIA Charging Party Case No. 9-CA-655 DECISION AND ORDER THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE AUTHORITY PURSUANT TO THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR'S "ORDER TRANSFERRING CASE TO THE AUTHORITY" IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 2429.1(A) OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS. UPON CONSIDERATION OF THE ENTIRE RECORD IN THIS CASE, INCLUDING THE STIPULATION OF ACTS AND THE PARTIES' CONTENTIONS, THE AUTHORITY FINDS: THE AMENDED COMPLAINT ALLEGES THAT RESPONDENT VIOLATED SECTION 7116(A)(1), (5) AND (8) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (THE STATUTE) WHEN IT REFUSED TO AGREE TO A FULL SCOPE NEGOTIATED GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE TO BE INCORPORATED IN ITS COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT WITH THE CHARGING PARTY (THE UNION). THE UNION IS THE EXCLUSIVE REPRESENTATIVE OF CERTAIN WAGE GRADE EMPLOYEES OF THE RESPONDENT. IN AUGUST 1978 THE PARTIES BEGAN NEGOTIATIONS ON A NEW COLLECTIVE BARGAINING AGREEMENT. DURING THE COURSE OF NEGOTIATIONS THE RESPONDENT PROPOSED THAT CERTAIN MATTERS BE EXCLUDED FROM THE SCOPE OF THE NEGOTIATED GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE. DESPITE DISCUSSION AND EXCHANGES OF COUNTERPROPOSALS, THE PARTIES WERE UNABLE TO REACH AGREEMENT ON THE SCOPE OF THE NEGOTIATED GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE AND REACHED IMPASSE ON THE SUBJECT. THE POSITIONS OF THE GENERAL COUNSEL AND CHARGING PARTY ARE SUBSTANTIALLY SIMILAR TO THOSE POSITIONS TAKEN IN VERMONT AIR NATIONAL GUARD, BURLINGTON, VERMONT, 9 FLRA NO. 92(1982), WHEREIN WE HELD THAT THE SCOPE OF THE GRIEVANCE PROCEDURE IS A MANDATORY SUBJECT FOR BARGAINING AND, IF IMPASSE IS REACHED, IS SUBJECT TO IMPASSE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES. BASED ON THE REASONS SET FORTH IN THAT DECISION, THE AUTHORITY FINDS THAT RESPONDENT'S ACTIONS HEREIN DID NOT VIOLATE THE STATUTE AS ALLEGED IN THE AMENDED COMPLAINT. ORDER IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT THE COMPLAINT IN CASE NO. 9-CA-655 BE, AND IT HEREBY IS, DISMISSED. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., AUGUST 5, 1982 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY