Under the Administrative Procedure Act, Horn said, ALJs are entitled to judicial independence without influence by the administration. He added that in recent years, the judges have had disputes with the agency involving infringement on independence. From time to time, they may perceive that things are planned or are being done that may in some way infringe upon the exercise of their duties. And I think that we try to be responsive to concerns that are raised to us when that is perceived. Among employment concerns, Horn said, is lack of a coherent transfer policy when a judge wants to relocate to another office, as well as a travel policy for judges on official business.
Credit hours are another point of debate.
The judges would like to be able to work more than eight hours and have the extra time applied towards leaves. Bryant, a former ISBA Assembly member, noted in his web site editorial that other conventional union issues, such as pay, promotion and discipline, will be negotiated. He also is concerned with judges being saddled with incompetent or sub-standard staff. The AALJ's representation vote is partly a result of changing times. Still, Horn is pleased with the reputation that the AALJ enjoys on Capitol Hill.