DHS management directives spark union outrage

[The Straight Story]

DHS management directives spark union outrage

By David McGlinchey
[e-mail]

Federal workers unions lashed out Thursday at the Homeland Security Department over draft documents that will implement new rules on adverse actions, appeals and labor relations by the beginning of August.

Union officials said the management directives further reduce independent oversight for DHS disciplinary procedures. The directives also detail responsibility for various officials under the new system. For example, the DHS secretary will hold ultimate responsibility for the fair execution of the adverse action and appeals process. The undersecretary for management will be responsible for implementing operational guidance documents and establishing regulations to govern reprimand and adverse action files. Line supervisors and managers will be responsible for assessing performance and administering written reprimands and adverse actions.

The draft management directives were made public by the American Federation of Government Employees. AFGE officials said the measures do not reveal any startling information, but take another step in the controversial overhaul of the DHS personnel system.

"The directives aren't as disturbing as the regulations they are implementing," said AFGE general counsel Mark Roth. "We think that the underpinnings are illegal. Whether it's the chief human capital officer or the guy at the guard desk who implements these regulations, it doesn't change the fact that they are neither legal nor wise."

http://www.govexec.com/dailyfed/0605/062305d1.htm