Monthly Archives: June, 2013

Ask the Lawyer received the following question (paraphrased for easier reading and clarity) from a reader on a legal matter that might be of interest to the entire audience. Q: I was hit on the shoulder by an upper level employee during a staff meeting. I did not report it at the time. Six months later I received a negative performance rating. Since that time my requests for training, telework, alternate work hours, etc have been denied. I feel bullied by my supervisors and am afraid to go to work. I am a rehired annuitant. What should I do? A:…

In theory, your rights as a union member should be the same as your rights if you are in a bargaining unit and not a union member. Being a union member means you pay dues. Nonmembers do not pay dues but are supposed to receive representation rights and other benefits related to the union being the exclusive representative of employees in the bargaining unit. While federal-sector labor unions have an obligation to represent all employees in the bargaining unit fairly, dues-paying members are likely to be more knowledgeable about the union and how it works and are likely to receive…