Federal Grievance Arbitration Practices Need More Management Attention

Highlights

With the recent expansion of the Federal labor-management relations program, arbitration has become an important procedure for adjudicating employee grievances. The Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 effected collective bargaining and arbitration in the Federal sector. It expanded the scope of issues subject to the negotiated grievance procedures and mandated that grievance arbitration be binding. GAO undertook a study to assess the efficiency of agencies' grievance arbitration procedures, including the use of arbitrators under the Act, and to identify areas needing improvements.

Recommendations

Recommendations for Executive Action

Agency Affected	Recommendation	Status
Office of Personnel Management	The Director of OPM should work with the Director of FMCS to (1) expand the FMCS roster of qualified Federal sector arbitrators; and (2) encourage agencies to routinely request Federal sector arbitrator panels from the FMCS Federal arbitrator roster.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Office of Personnel Management	The Director of OPM should provide guidance and technical assistance to agencies and management personnel on cost-effective grievance arbitration procedures.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Office of Personnel Management	The Director of OPM should require agencies to monitor and evaluate their grievance arbitration processes. OPM should provide technical assistance and guidance to help agencies meet this requirement.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Office of Personnel Management	The Director of OPM should require agencies to account for the total costs associated with the grievance arbitration process and to report annually to OPM on these costs. This annual report should include the number of formal grievances filed, number of grievances going to arbitration, arbitration-related costs, and management-related costs.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Office of Personnel Management	The Director of OPM should encourage agencies to (1) attempt negotiating expedited arbitration and consolidated or representative grievance procedures into subsequent labor agreements; (2) use permanent arbitrator panels or permanent umpires for binding grievance resolution; and (3) limit the use of arbitration hearing transcripts and post-hearing briefs.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.
Office of Personnel Management	The Director of OPM should require agencies to assess their current labor relations training programs, determine their training needs, and provide needed training, especially in the areas of cost-effective grievance arbitration practices. OPM should periodically follow up with agencies to insure compliance. The Director should emphasize to agencies the importance that they should give labor relations training under the requirements of CSRA.	Closed Please call 202/512-6100 for additional information.

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Topics

Government Operations

ArbitratorsCollective bargainingCost controlDispute settlementsEmployee grievancesFederal employeesLabor legislationLabor relationsPrivate sector practicesProgram evaluationReporting requirementsGrievance procedures