PUBADM 505
2026-11-02
Excludes most federal agencies from collective bargaining, citing national security
A district court blocks the order; agencies stop honoring contracts where they can
Lifts the injunction. The order is “grounded in national security”; the lawsuit goes on
If a president can end bargaining by executive order, what does a union contract in government protect?
Exec. Order No. 14251, Exclusions from Federal Labor-Management Relations Programs (Mar. 27, 2025); AFGE v. Trump (9th Cir. Feb. 26, 2026).
of public-sector workers are union members
of private-sector workers are
in local government: teachers, police, firefighters
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Union Members — 2025 (Feb. 18, 2026).
Private and nonprofit
National Labor Relations Act; may strike
Federal
Civil Service Reform Act; no strikes; pay isn’t bargained
State and local
Each state decides. Idaho: firefighters and teachers bargain; state agency employees don’t
Who’s in the unit
Employees with a shared “community of interest”
→
Negotiate
Some subjects must be bargained; some stay with management
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Live with the contract
Grievances, for the life of the contract
If talks stall: mediation, then fact-finding, then binding arbitration.
Supervisor
Employee and union steward
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Department head
A written appeal
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Top management
HR or the agency head
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A neutral
An arbitrator or hearing officer decides
Tonight’s case is decided at the last step.
Each group gets one workforce.
Employees at an Idaho state agency, who can't bargain today
Caseworkers at a Boise nonprofit
Nurses at a VA medical center, where EO 14251 ended bargaining
8 minutes in groups, then each group reports
Distributive
Were the outcomes fair?
Procedural
Was the process fair?
Interactional
Were people told why, and treated with respect?
Think of a decision at work that felt unfair. Which kind of justice was missing?
Quid pro quo
A job benefit is tied to submitting to sexual conduct
Hostile work environment
Conduct severe or pervasive enough to change the conditions of work
Does it matter whether the harasser meant it?
A policy
Written, and communicated
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Training
Especially for supervisors
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Ways to report
Including one that bypasses the supervisor
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Prompt action
Investigate, discipline in proportion, no retaliation
You work in HR for a city. Your best friend works for the city too, has a baby on the way, and closes on a house next month.
A memo lists the employees who will be laid off in 30 days. Your friend is on it.
5 minutes in groups, then each group gives its answer
November 9: Workplace safety and work-life balance
Guy & Sowa, Chapters 12 and 13
Case: The Blast in Centralia No. 5
PUBADM 505 · Personnel Management