TRAVEL . . . COMMUTING EXPENSES

Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, New York, New York and Local 3911, American Federation of Government employees, AFL-CIO, Case No. 99 FSIP 41, May 17, 1999 (Release No. 420).

The UNION proposed the following:

The use of cash is not encouraged as it defeats the purpose of E-Z Pass. However, in unusual circumstances when traffic conditions warrant, or when the designated agent or an E-Z Pass is unavailable at the time of the employee's departure, employees may use cash to pay tolls. [Only the underlined working is in dispute.]

The AGENCY proposed the following:

The use of cash is discouraged at it defeats the purpose of E-Z Pass. In unusual circumstances when traffic conditions warrant or if E-Z Pass is not available at the time of the employees's departure, employees may use cash to pay tolls. [The underlined wording is in dispute.]

The PANEL ordered the parties to adopt the UNION's proposal, as modified:

The use of cash is not encouraged as it defeats the purpose of E-Z Pass. However, in unusual circumstances when traffic conditions warrant, the designated agent or alternate is unavailable, or an E-Z Pass is unavailable at the time of the employee's departure, employees may use cash to pay tolls.

TRAVEL . . . UNION REPRESENTATIVES

Environmental Protection Agency, Region 2, New York, New York and Local 3911, American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Case No. 99 FSIP 69, September 30, 1999 (Release No. 425).

The AGENCY proposed to limit reimbursement to travel between Edison, New Jersey and New York City for partnership meetings and joint labor-management training. Other travel request would be handled on a case-by-case basis.

The UNION proposed that the agency pay the travel expenses of Union representatives performing representational duties in accordance with the Federal Travel Regulations, as well as for partnership meetings and joint labor-management training.

The PANEL ordered the parties to adopt the AGENCY's proposal.

TRAVEL . . . UNION REPRESENTATIVES

Department of the Treasury, Bureau of Engraving and Printing, Washington, D.C. and Chapter 201, National Treasury Employees Union, Case No. 99 FSIP 96, November 24, 1999 (Release No. 426).

The UNION proposed that--

[T]he Employer would pay travel expenses and per diem for one WFC Union negotiator when the issues under negotiations "impact" that facility. In addition, its proposal: (1) provides that the Employer's advance written notice of proposed changes "include" specific information . . . ; (2) requires the Union either to request bargaining or a briefing from the Employer within [seven] days of the date of the Employer's notice; (3) mandates that the Employer conduct a briefing within [three] days of the Union's request; and (4) allows the Union 14 days from the date of the bargaining request or the Employer's briefing to submit proposals, unless the Union has not received requested information within that time, in which case it may modify its proposals upon its receipt.

The AGENCY proposed that the WCF Union representative participate in negotiations via video conference and that "(1) any advance written notice of proposed changes from the Employer 'contain' specific information . . . ; (2) the Union request bargaining or a briefing within 10 days from the date of receipt of the Employer's written notice; and (3) the Union submit bargaining proposals within 14 days from the submission of its bargaining request or the Employer's briefing."

The PANEL ordered the parties to adopt a compromise proposal as follows:

Section 1. For issues that impact the Fort Worth facility, in lieu of having a Fort Worth representative of the NTEU bargaining unit attend negotiations in person, the representative will be provided the opportunity for participation in negotiations via video conference hookup through the Fort Worth Bureau Director's facilities. When it needs the video conference hookup, the Union will give the Employer 24-hour notice in order to allow the Employer adequate time to make the arrangements. In the event that the Employer is unable to make the arrangements for use of the video conference facility at the specific time requested, the parties may adjust their negotiations schedule. The Fort Worth representative will be a full participant in the negotiations during the time he or she is participating via video conference. The parties will be reasonable in the amount of time needed for video conference participation. The Union's proposed wording on sections 2.2, 2.3, and 2.4.