Federal Labor Relations Authority Explained

What is the Federal Labor Relations Authority?

The Federal Labor Relations Authority is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government that is responsible for governing labor relations between the federal government and its employees.

The Federal Labor Relations Authority was created by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978; it stands as a quasi-judicial body with three full-time members who are each appointed for five-year terms by the President of the United States with the advice and subsequent consent of the Senate. One member of the Federal Labor Relations Authority is appointed by the President to serve as chairman, chief executive officer and chief administrative officer of the board.

The Federal Labor Relations Authority adjudicates disputes arising under the Civil Service Reform Act; the committee is responsible for deciding cases regarding the negotiability of collective bargaining agreement proposals, exceptions to grievance arbitration awards and appeals concerning unfair labor practices and representation petitions.

The Federal Labor Relations Authority must stay consistent with its statutory charge to provide leadership in establishing policies and guidance to participants in the Federal labor-management relations program; additionally, the Federal Labor Relations Authority will also assist various Federal agencies and unions in understanding their specific rights and responsibilities as it pertains to the Statute through a distribution of statutory training programs.

Federal Labor Relations Authority Quick Facts

The following details outline the administration of the Federal Labor Relations Authority:
The Federal Labor Relations Authority was founded through the Civil Service reform Act of 1978
The headquarters of the Federal Labor Relations Authority are located in Washington, D.C.
The Federal Labor Relations Authority is responsible for the jurisdiction over the Federal Government of the United States
The head of the Federal Labor Relations Authority is Richard Catchings

What is an Independent Government Agency?

An independent agency of the United States Federal Government is a department or organization that exists outside of the federal executive departments or those headed by a Cabinet secretary. In a more specific sense, the term Independent Government Agency, is used to describe agencies that, while constitutionally operating within the executive branch, are free from presidential authority or control, as a result of the President’s limited membership within the agency.

Independent government agencies are established through separate statutes passed by the United States Congress; each respective statutory grant of authority will define the goals or mission that the agency must work towards, in addition to the substantive areas, if applicable, over which the Independent Agency may have the power of rulemaking. These agency regulations, when enforced, maintain the power of federal law.

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