Federal Labor Relations Authority
The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) is an independent agency of the United States government that governs labor relations between the federal government and its employees. Created by the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, it is a quasi-judicial body with three full-time members who are appointed for five-year terms by the President with the advice and consent of the Senate. One member is appointed by the President to serve as chairman, chief executive officer, and chief administrative officer of the FLRA. The chairman is also "ex officio" chairman of the Foreign Service  Labor Relations Board. The three members cannot be from the same political party. The Authority adjudicates disputes arising under the Civil Service Reform Act, deciding cases concerning the negotiability of collective bargaining agreement proposals, appeals concerning unfair labor practices and representation petitions, and exceptions to grievance arbitration awards. Consistent with its statutory charge to provide leadership in establishing policies and guidance to participants in the Federal labor-management relations program, the Authority also assists Federal agencies and unions in understanding their rights and responsibilities under the Statute through statutory training of parties. In 1981, it decertified — that is, stripped  it from its status as a representative union -— the air traffic controllers' PATCO union, after the 1981 air traffic controllers strike. The agency is separate from the National Labor Relations Board, which governs private-sector labor relations. Board members. The Board is composed of 3 members, nominated by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of 5 years. The President can designate the Chairman with no separate Senate confirmation required. James T. Abbott, a nominee of Republican President Donald Trump, served from December 11, 2017 to the July 1, 2021  end of his term. President Biden, a Democrat, has nominated career labor-management mediator and former Merit Systems Protection Board chairwoman Susan Tsui Grundmann to replace him. Biden has also renominated Ernest W. Dubester for another term ending July 1, 2024. The Board is supported by a General Counsel, who is also nominated by the President of the United States, with the advice and consent of the Senate, for a term of five years. There has been no senate-confirmed General Counsel since Julia Akins Clark left the post in January 2017, and no Acting General Counsel between November 2017  and March 24, 2021, when President Joe Biden named Charlotte A. Dye to be Acting General Counsel. In August 2021, President Biden nominated eight-year assistant general counsel Kurt Rumsfeld to the position.