Suspension of Decision Relating to Extended Official Time and Leave Without Pay for Union Representative

As a result of discussions with officials of a variety of Federal executive agencies and Federal employee unions, a decision was made to suspend the effect of the decision of February 23, 1976, limiting the amount of official time that an employee union representative could devote to representational duties away from the duties of his official position. In view of concern that the implementation of the decision could disrupt Federal labor relations and reduce the efficiency of agency operations, the effect of the decision was suspended to allow further evaluation of the issue covered by the decision. In the interim, agencies were not required to amend official time clauses in existing agreements. However, any such clauses negotiated during the interim period should provide for conformance on a prospective basis with the final decision regarding limitations on the use of official time.