Ensuring Transparency, Accountability, and Efficiency in Taxpayer-Funded Union Time Use
Jun 1, 2018
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: May 25, 2018
Published on: Jun 1, 2018
Jun 1, 2018
Signed by: Donald Trump
Signed on: May 25, 2018
Published on: Jun 1, 2018
Summary
Creates rules to track and limit the amount of paid work time federal employees can use for union business to make sure taxpayer money is used well.
What problem does this solve?
Some federal workers were using paid work time for union activities without clear rules or limits, which could waste taxpayer money. This order sets strict limits and tracking rules to make sure employees spend most of their time working for the public.
What does this order do?
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Employee conduct with regard to agency time and resources
Limits time spent on non-agency business
Requires federal employees to spend at least 75% of their paid time each year doing work for their agency, not for a union.
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Standards for reasonable and efficient taxpayer-funded union time usage
Sets a goal for union time usage
Directs agencies to aim for a "union time rate" of one hour or less per employee in a union group each year.
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Employee conduct with regard to agency time and resources
Prohibits free use of government property for union work
Stops unions from using government property like offices, computers, or phones for free or at a discount unless it is also available to other outside groups.
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Employee conduct with regard to agency time and resources
Restricts paid time for handling grievances
Forbids employees from using paid union time to prepare or argue grievances against their agency, with some exceptions for personal cases or whistleblower protection.
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Employee conduct with regard to agency time and resources
Requires advance written approval for union time
Mandates that employees get written permission from their agency before using any paid time for union activities.
Creates public reporting on union time
Requires the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to collect data from all agencies and publish a yearly report on how much union time is used and how much it costs taxpayers.
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Standards for reasonable and efficient taxpayer-funded union time usage
Requires reporting of high union time rates
Forces the head of an agency to personally report to the President if they approve a union time rate of more than one hour per employee.
Who does this affect?
- Federal government employees in unions
- Federal employee labor unions
- Federal government agencies
What is the real world impact?
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Reduces the power of federal employee unions
Limits the time and resources union representatives can use for activities like fighting employee grievances or negotiating contracts. Critics argue this makes it harder for unions to protect workers and advocate for their rights.
When does this start?
This order has several deadlines, but most requirements for agencies take effect 45 days after it was signed on May 25, 2018.
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Implementation and renegotiation of collective bargaining agreements
Agency implementation
Within 45 days of the order, agencies must begin putting its rules into practice.
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Employee conduct with regard to agency time and resources
OPM review of regulations
Within 45 days of the order, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) must review its rules and propose changes to match the order.
New agency procedures
Within 180 days of the order, agencies must create new systems to approve and track the use of union time.
First public report
The first public report from OPM detailing government-wide union time use is due by June 30, 2020.