|
|
Federal Workers' Rights Cannot Be Ignored, Akaka Says
June 27, 2006
Washington, D.C. - In response to today’s ruling by the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit on the personnel system at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Senator Daniel K. Akaka (D-HI), stated: "Today’s ruling once more demonstrates the shortsightedness of this Administration in developing personnel systems that ignore the rights of federal workers - especially collective bargaining rights. Employee protections are not something that can be waived on the whim of a political appointee. "Now is the time for the Department to sit down with the federal employee unions to work out a personnel system that is fair, contemporary, flexible, and has the support of employees and the Department’s leadership." The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit agreed with last year’s District Court ruling that the final regulations issued by DHS for its personnel system fail to ensure collective bargaining by allowing the Department to unilaterally revoke collective bargaining agreements. The Appeals Court went further than the District Court by ruling that DHS had improperly restricted the scope of bargaining to matters concerning employee-specific grievances only. As such, the Appeals Court reaffirms union input on important workplace issues such as procedures for assigning overtime and work arrangements. The decision also found that the Department exceeded its authority in changing the role and responsibilities of the Federal Labor Relations Board, which resolves issues between federal agencies and federal unions. Senator Akaka was one of nine Senators to vote against the creation of the Department of Homeland Security, in part because of his concern over DHS developing a personnel system that erodes employee rights and protections. Senator Akaka is Ranking Member on the Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia.
Year: 2008 , 2007 , [2006] , 2005 , 2004 , 2003 , 2002 , 2001 , 2000 , 1999 , 1900
June 2006
- University of Hawaii Awarded $1,022,923 For Language and Resource Studies, Akaka Announces [June 30, 2006]
- Akaka Calls on President to Prioritize Funding for Veterans [June 30, 2006]
- Senate Appropriations Committee Approves $1,625,000 in Akaka Project Requests [June 29, 2006]
- Senator Akaka Stresses Accountability in Light of VA Data Theft [June 29, 2006]
- "Enhancing Employee Performance: A Hearing on Pending Legislation"
Subcommittee on Oversight of Government Management, the Federal Workforce, and the District of Columbia
[June 29, 2006]
- Akaka Urges Congress to Protect Access to Health Care [June 29, 2006]
- Congress Members Fight to Bring Down Barriers to Medicaid Before July 1st Deadline [June 29, 2006]
- Finance Committee Passes Akaka Tax Provisions [June 28, 2006]
- ADVISORY: Members of Congress Fight for Americans In Jeopardy of Losing Medicaid [June 28, 2006]
- Federal Workers' Rights Cannot Be Ignored, Akaka Says [June 27, 2006]
- Akaka Calls for Phased Withdrawal from Iraq
[June 22, 2006]
- Senate Approves Akaka-Collins Bill to Protect Whistleblowers [June 22, 2006]
- Top Kauai Volunteer Talks With Senator Akaka About Service [June 21, 2006]
- Akaka Applauds VA for Efforts to Secure Data Theft Information [June 21, 2006]
- Akaka Calls for Cultural Sensitivity for NWHI Monument Designation [June 15, 2006]
- Ranking Member Akaka Leads Democrats on Addressing Vet Funding and Data Theft Prevention [June 14, 2006]
- Akaka Wants to Deter Future Breaches of Personal Data in the Federal Government [June 13, 2006]
- Senator Akaka Returns From Weekend Trip to Iraq, Criticizes Fiscal Irresponsibility Over the Cost of War [June 12, 2006]
- Majority of U.S. Senate Support "Akaka Bill" [June 8, 2006]
- Akaka Debates for Justice and Fairness in Hawaii [June 7, 2006]
- Debate on "Akaka Bill" Begins [June 7, 2006]
- Senate Leader Puts Akaka Bill In Motion [June 6, 2006]
|
|