Employment lawyer for non-bargaining GS-15 fed-ned recs

[Anonymous]

I am a supervisor in the federal government, non-bargaining unit GS-15, fed. I want to consult with an employment lawyer who specializes in the federal government. The management team in my office has been subject to a hostile workplace by the union. For every email I send or direction I give the team I supervise, the union is not following protocol and escalating the issues. They are also not naming employees and comparing managers in my unit to "rats" "roaches" and "scum" and sending emails stating that we are "out of control" for progressive, documented performance and conduct issues. Basically, the past several months, it has been difficult to do my job because I am dealing with these emails from the union every day. Any recs for an employment lawyer particularly one who has gone after unions, would be helpful. I'm from a union family, so this is very difficult for me, but it is not healthy. My supervisors support me but there is only so much I can handle.

[Anonymous]

I've had similar run ins with the union on a different issue (a workplace safety issue that they fought us on). We just couldn't win.

[Anonymous]

I'm pregnant and I feel like this is not healthy for me, but who is going to hire me as a soon to go on maternity leave employee especially at the GS-15 level? I really love the work I do and my supervisors. They are amazing. I am just trying to keep people accountable. Our job is easily documented as we use a cloud system for our work and everything is documented in real time. People were outright not doing their job over a period of months and are now in the process of being removed or demoted. Additionally, there was potentially illegal activity that had to be documented and reported. I could have wound up in jail for the actions of the employees. What do you mean we could not win? I'm sick of these incessant emails. They are sending them to the head of my agency. I only received them because an LER attorney forwarded them to me.

[Anonymous]

I understand you are not happy with the union but exactly what are they doing that's violation of collective bargaining agreement?

[Anonymous]

HR is supposed to be your management advocate. Have you worked with HR about this? Going to a lawyer seems like a big step so make sure you have tried administrative options first.

[Anonymous]

The union saying mean things about you is not illegal.

[Anonymous]

The term "hostile work environment" is one of the most misunderstood in employment law. HWE does not mean that you work with mean people or that you are subjected to hostility, cruelty, or meanness. It means that are subjected to pervasive discrimination. You have ZERO rights under the law to an environment free of annoyance, meanness, or hostility.

[Anonymous]

Rather than file a grievance or work at the lowest level to resolve the situation, they are escalating minor matters to the head of my agency. For example, they are sending emails about an email I sent a team member reminding them of leave procedures. The person was absent without leave for a period of three days. They are sending very defamatory and unprofessional statements that are untrue. They stated I took away without cause telework and AWS. Telework was suspended for several people with advance notice in response to a violation of their telework agreement and inability to work independently without supervision. The union referred to me as a "rat" "roach" "pond scum" said I was "crazy and out of control". Simple disciplinary actions are being sent to the head of my agency. The information they are providing is untrue and without cause.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a supervisor in the federal government, non-bargaining unit GS-15, fed. I want to consult with an employment lawyer who specializes in the federal government. The management team in my office has been subject to a hostile workplace by the union. For every email I send or direction I give the team I supervise, the union is not following protocol and escalating the issues. They are also not naming employees and comparing managers in my unit to "rats" "roaches" and "scum" and sending emails stating that we are "out of control" for progressive, documented performance and conduct issues. Basically, the past several months, it has been difficult to do my job because I am dealing with these emails from the union every day. Any recs for an employment lawyer particularly one who has gone after unions, would be helpful. I'm from a union family, so this is very difficult for me, but it is not healthy. My supervisors support me but there is only so much I can handle.

You are a manager. The Union is entitled to robust discourse. Toughen up. You may not, under any circumstances, retaliate against the union for protected activity. Are you freakin' kidding me?????

[Anonymous]

For every email I send or my supervisor sends, the union is sending an email basically making it impossible for me or my boss to do our jobs. EVERY EMAIL. This does not seem normal to me.

[Anonymous]

Is it professional for the union to call people in official documents "rats" "roaches" "pond scum"?

[Anonymous]

If you can't handle being a manager, resign. You cannot claim "Hostile Work Environment" because you are subject to criticism by your employees. A manager does NOT get to sue employees. This is one of the strangest posts I have ever read.

[Anonymous]

OP - your post reads like something out of entitled a teenager. You cannot be a manager with attitude like that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is it professional for the union to call people in official documents "rats" "roaches" "pond scum"?

THIS IS CALLED "ROBUST DISCOURSE" LOOK IT UP

[Anonymous]

I'm not retaliating. Employees have their right to protected activity but the union making it impossible for me to do my job is not conducive to resolving these issues at the lowest level. Employees were acting illegally. I had to take disciplinary action.