December 2006:

The success of NTEU Chapter 293 depends in large part upon union leaders’ ability to communicate and negotiate effectively with SEC management on a broad range of issues. Similarly, the success of the SEC in meeting its mission requirements depends greatly upon management’s ability to create an environment in which employees in every office and division of the agency remain highly dedicated and motivated. For these reasons, it is in everyone’s best interest to foster a real partnership between Chapter 293 and management, in which the union always has a seat at the table when important decisions are made which will affect employees’ work lives.

Such a real partnership does not yet fully exist at the Securities and Exchange Commission. This state of affairs is partially the result of the contentious process that was required to establish Chapter 293 in the first place, during which SEC management engaged in a prolonged campaign aimed at delaying a secret ballot election for employees to vote on NTEU representation. It is also partially due to the fact that the current administration has been hostile to federal employee unions from the beginning, disbanding the labor-union partnerships that previously existed across the government, replacing the entire Federal Services Impasses Panel with individuals who are hostile to unions, attacking collective bargaining rules, and aggressively seeking to contract out federal jobs.

Whatever the cause, there are some SEC managers who have never really accepted NTEU’s presence at the agency. These individuals generally approach labor-management interactions as hostile engagements that are fraught with distrust, the overall goal of which is to utilize every procedural tool to gain the upper hand and exert control. Such methods can sometimes lead to short term “wins” by agency management, but the overall effect of this approach is to increase the cynicism and unhappiness of agency employees – which does little to further the agency’s mission.

Fortunately, there are many other SEC managers who seek instead to forge solid relationships with employees and their union leaders. These managers understand that the SEC is the best agency in the federal government largely because of the highly dedicated professionals who work here at every level. They view their employees as the agency’s most important assets. For that reason, they seek to build bridges and establish cooperative relationships with union leaders. This, in turn, leads to a better work environment, higher employee productivity, and a stronger agency.

The management philosophy that prevails at the SEC will ultimately be set at the top. NTEU has demonstrated repeatedly that it has the resources, ability and willingness to fight effectively for the rights of SEC employees whenever it is necessary to do so. SEC management, however, could instead choose to recognize that NTEU is here to stay at the SEC, and seek to build a partnership with the union.

by Chapter 293 President Greg Gilman