The Union filed an unfair labor practice concerning the new requirement that bargaining unit employees submit to “reinvestigations” and background checks. These reinvestigations are time-consuming and involve sensitive and personally identifiable information constituting a more than de minimis change in conditions of employment. By failing to provide notice and an opportunity to bargain with the Union, the Department committed an unfair labor practice.
It has come to our attention that the Chairman – not from the Chairman himself, of course – has decided against prorating attorneys’ quotas for time spent on these so-called reinvestigations. How delightful! It seems we’re all invited to join the circus without even receiving the memo. What is concerning is the lack of communication surrounding this decision. The investigations were not even mentioned during the Chairman’s town hall last week. Instead, we were treated to a riveting session on wellness initiatives such as meditation classes, accompanied by the Chairman’s favorite slogan, “mission first, people always,” followed by the proud display of his I-CARE pin. Or should it be the “I-really-don’t-care, do-u?” pin?
