THE FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY AND THE U.S. OFFICE OF SPECIAL COUNSEL HOLD FIRST JOINT TOWN MEETING

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - 6/17/99
CONTACT: JANE MCFARLAND
(202) 653-7984      

    Elaine Kaplan, Special Counsel for the U.S. Office of Special Counsel (OSC), and Joseph Swerdzewski, General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), will conduct a joint town meeting in Chicago, Illinois, on Friday, June 25, 1999. Joining the two will be Donald S. Wasserman, a member of the Authority component of the FLRA. Since 1993, General Counsel Swerdzewski has held numerous town meetings to provide information regarding the policies and guidance issued by the General Counsel. The upcoming Chicago meeting is the inaugural one for the OSC. 

    Special Counsel Kaplan said, “Since taking this office, I’ve tried to increase OSC outreach efforts in the Federal community. Talking directly to our customers helps us ensure that we are effectively meeting their needs and it provides them with good information as well.” Ms. Kaplan stated, “I look forward to the meeting and exchanging ideas with the people that we service every day. We hope this meeting is the first of many.”

    FLRA General Counsel Swerdzewski noted, “The joint town meeting with OSC permits the Federal community to learn more about the different forums available to them to resolve disputes and improve relationships. Town meetings are an outstanding vehicle to inform Federal agencies, employees, and unions about how the Office of the General Counsel operates and the services that we provide to customers.”

    The joint town meeting will take place at 9 a.m. in the Ralph Metcalfe Federal Building, Room 331, 77 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, Illinois. Any questions about the meeting should be directed to Inez Thomas at (312) 886-3465, ext. 11. The Office of the General Counsel is the independent Federal investigative and prosecutorial component of the Federal Labor Relations Authority that investigates and settles or prosecutes unfair labor practice charges. The General Counsel also periodically issues guidance to the FLRA’s Regional Directors on the parties’ legal rights and duties in the context of resolving unfair labor practice charges. The Office of Special Counsel is an independent Federal investigative and prosecutorial agency. Under the Civil Service Reform Act and the Whistleblower Protection Act, the OSC’s primary mission is to safeguard the merit system by protecting Federal employees and applicants from prohibited personnel practices, especially reprisal for whistleblowing.

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