Deduction of Union Dues from Backpay

An advance decision was requested concerning the authority for deducting union dues from a backpay award to an erroneously separated employee of a Veterans Administration Hospital. The employee had a voluntary allotment for deduction of union dues in effect at the time of separation. He did not consent at the time of job restoration to deduction of dues from the backpay award. The agency is not obligated to the union to deduct dues from a backpay award, nor is deduction of dues from current pay authorized without the consent of the employee.