Unfair Labor Practice Proceedings, 72632-72636 [E7-24846]

Agencies

• Federal Labor Relations Authority

[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 245 (Friday, December 21, 2007)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 72632-72636]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24846]


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Proposed Rules
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains notices to the public of 
the proposed issuance of rules and regulations. The purpose of these 
notices is to give interested persons an opportunity to participate in 
the rule making prior to the adoption of the final rules.

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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 245 / Friday, December 21, 2007 / 
Proposed Rules

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FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY

5 CFR Part 2423


Unfair Labor Practice Proceedings

AGENCY: Office of the General Counsel, Federal Labor Relations 
Authority.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

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SUMMARY: The General Counsel of the Federal Labor Relations Authority 
(FLRA) proposes to revise portions of its regulations regarding unfair 
labor practice (ULP) proceedings (Part 2423, subpart A). The purpose of 
the proposed revisions is to clarify the Office of the General 
Counsel's (OGC) role during the investigatory stage of processing 
unfair labor practice charges consistent with the policies of the 
General Counsel, and to clarify certain administrative matters relating 
to the filing and investigation of ULP charges. Implementation of the 
proposed changes confirms and enhances the neutrality of the OGC before 
a ULP merit determination is made.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before January 22, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Mail or deliver written comments to the Office of the 
Executive Director, Federal Labor Relations Authority, 1400 K Street, 
NW., Fourth Floor, Washington, DC 20424. Comments may also be e-mailed 
to FLRAexecutivedirector@flra.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jill Crumpacker, Executive Director, 
at jcrumpacker@flra.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OGC of the FLRA proposes modifications 
to the existing rules and regulations in subpart A of title 5 of the 
Code of Federal Regulations regarding the processing and investigation 
of ULP charges.
    Subpart A of the regulations has not been reexamined in its 
entirety since 1998, and before that since its enactment in 1980. The 
OGC has modified its policies, revising or rescinding many of the 
internal policies that were established prior to 1998 and which 
resulted in the 1998 regulatory changes. Accordingly, the General 
Counsel has proposed revisions to the regulations addressing the 
investigation and processing of ULP charges.
    The proposed revisions clarify the neutral fact-finding role of the 
OGC in the investigation of ULP charges. The proposed revisions 
continue to encourage parties involved in a ULP dispute to work 
collaboratively to resolve the dispute; however, consistent with the 
General Counsel's Settlement policy, the proposed revisions clarify 
that the OGC will not be involved in any way in resolving parties' 
disputes until after a determination has been made that a charge is 
meritorious. At that time, the OGC will aggressively use Alternative 
Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes to resolve parties' ULP disputes and 
to avoid protracted litigation of ULP complaints.

Sectional Analyses

    Sectional analyses of the revisions to Part 2423--Unfair Labor 
Practice Proceedings are as follows:

Part 2423--Unfair Labor Practice Proceedings

Section 2423.0

    This part is applicable to any charge of an alleged ULP pending or 
filed with the Authority on or after February 1, 2008.

Subpart A--Filing, Investigating, Resolving, and Acting on Charges

Section 2423.1

    The current section encourages parties to meet and resolve ULP 
disputes prior to filing ULP charges. The proposed revision continues 
to encourage parties to settle their ULP disputes, and clarifies that 
the OGC will assist the parties in resolving their dispute only once a 
decision has been made that the issuance of a ULP complaint is 
warranted. The proposed revision promotes an understanding that the 
parties to a ULP dispute are responsible for their relationship and the 
resolution of their disputes. The proposed revision is intended to 
preserve the neutrality of the OGC in the investigation and processing 
of ULP charges, and incorporates the General Counsel's Settlement 
Policy, which is set forth in its entirety on the FLRA's Web site at 
www.FLRA.gov. Where the parties are unable to resolve their dispute on 
their own and where a determination is made that the Federal Service 
Labor-Management Relations Statute (Statute) has been violated, the 
OGC--as set forth in other sections of the proposed revised 
regulations--will actively work with the parties using ADR processes to 
reach a satisfactory resolution that is consistent with the Statute and 
resolves the parties' ULP dispute.

Section 2423.2

    The current section sets forth the specific ADR services that the 
OGC may provide. The parties are redirected to Sec.  2423.12, which 
sets forth the ADR services that the OGC may now provide consistent 
with the General Counsel's Settlement Policy.

Section 2423.3

    This section, which identifies who may file a ULP charge, is 
unchanged.

Section 2423.4

    This section, describing the content of a ULP charge, is 
substantially unchanged. The proposed revisions provide for the 
inclusion of e-mail addresses for all of the parties.
    The proposed revision also includes a subsection addressing when a 
ULP charge must be filed and reiterates the statutory time limits for 
the filing of a ULP charge set forth in 5 U.S.C. 7118(a)(4).

Section 2423.5

    This section, which is reserved, is unchanged.

Section 2423.6

    The current section remains substantially unchanged. The proposed 
revisions address an issue previously not addressed in the regulations, 
and clarify that a charge received after the close of business will be 
deemed received and docketed the next business day.
    The current section limited to two pages the number of pages that a 
party could fax to an OGC Regional Office when filing a charge. The 
proposed revision eliminates that limitation and returns it to the 
current limitation of 10 pages, consistent with 5 CFR Sec.  2429.24.

Section 2423.7

    The current section, which provides for alternative case 
processing,

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incorporates the internal OGC policies and procedures established under 
the 1998 revisions. Consistent with current internal OGC policies and 
procedures, this section is being eliminated. Under the proposed 
revisions the parties to a ULP dispute are always encouraged to work 
collaboratively to resolve their own dispute, taking a problem-solving 
approach, rather than filing a ULP charge. Once a ULP charge is filed, 
parties are also encouraged on their own to attempt to resolve their 
dispute while the OGC conducts its investigation of the facts and 
determines the merits of the charge.

Section 2423.8

    This section, which provides for the investigation of charges, is 
substantially unchanged. The proposed revisions clarify and confirm 
that all investigations conducted by the OGC are neutral and unbiased.
    The revisions further clarify that the failure of a party to 
cooperate during an investigation may result in a ULP charge being 
dismissed by the Regional Director.

Section 2423.9

    This section is unchanged.

Section 2423.10

    This section, which provides for the action by the Regional 
Director, remains substantially unchanged. The proposed revisions 
modify this section to be consistent with the other sections under this 
part that the Regional Director takes its action on behalf of the 
General Counsel. The proposed revision also modifies the wording to 
reflect action currently taken on a charge that is determined to be 
without merit, i.e., that the charge is dismissed.

Section 2423.11

    The proposed revisions provide that all parties to a dispute will 
be advised of an OGC decision to dismiss a ULP charge upon completion 
of the investigation. This ensures that both parties to the dispute are 
apprised of the result of the investigation at the same time and 
maintains the neutrality of the OGC. The proposed revisions also 
incorporate the opportunity for a Charging Party to withdraw the charge 
prior to the issuance of the dismissal letter.
    This section also rewords the grounds for appeal to include when a 
Regional Director's decision is based on an incorrect statement or 
application of the applicable rule of law, rather than only when a 
Regional Director's decision is based on an incorrect statement of the 
applicable rule of law.

Section 2423.12

    This section, which provides for the settlement of ULP charges 
after a Regional Director's determination to issue a complaint, sets 
forth that the OGC will utilize ADR processes to assist the parties in 
resolving the ULP dispute and to avoid the cost of protracted 
litigation.

Regulatory Flexibility Act Certification

    Pursuant to section 605(b) of the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 605(b), the General Counsel of the FLRA has determined that this 
regulation, as amended, will not have a significant impact on a 
substantial number of small entities, because this rule applies to 
Federal employees, Federal agencies, and labor organizations 
representing Federal employees.

Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995

    This rule change will not result in the expenditure by State, 
local, and tribal governments, in the aggregate, or by the private 
sector, of $100,000,000 or more in any one year, and it will not 
significantly or uniquely affect small governments. Therefore, no 
actions were deemed necessary under the provisions of the Unfunded 
Mandates Reform act of 1995.

Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996

    This action is not a major rule as defined by section 804 of the 
Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. This rule 
will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100,000,000 or 
more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse 
effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, 
innovation, or on the ability of United States-based companies to 
compete with foreign-based companies in domestic and export markets.

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995

    The amended regulations contain no additional information 
collection or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995, 44 U.S.C. 3501, et seq.

List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 2423

    Administrative practice and procedure, Government employees, Labor 
management relations.
    For these reasons, the General Counsel of the Federal Labor 
Relations Authority, proposes to amend 5 CFR part 2423 as follows:

PART 2423--UNFAIR LABOR PRACTICE PROCEEDINGS

    1. The authority citation for part 2423 continues to read as 
follows:

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. 7134.

    2. Section 2423.0 and subpart A of part 2423 are revised to read as 
follows:


Sec. 2423.0  Applicability of this part.

Subpart A--Filing, Investigating, Resolving, and Acting on Charges

Sec.
2423.1 Resolution of unfair labor practice disputes prior to a 
Regional Director determination whether to issue a complaint.
2423.2 Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services.
2423.3 Who may file charges.
2423.4 Contents of the charge; supporting evidence and documents.
2423.5 [Reserved]
2423.6 Filing and service of copies.
2423.7 [Reserved]
2423.8 Investigation of charges.
2423.9 Amendment of charges.
2423.10 Action by the Regional Director.
2423.11 Determination not to issue complaint; review of action by 
the Regional Director.
2423.12 Settlement of unfair labor practice charges after a Regional 
Director determination to issue a complaint but prior to issuance of 
a complaint.
2423.13-2423.19 [Reserved]


Sec.  2423.0  Applicability of this part.

    This part is applicable to any charge of alleged unfair labor 
practices pending or filed with the Authority on or after February 1, 
2008, and any complaint filed on or after October 1, 1997.

Subpart A--Filing, Investigating, Resolving, and Acting on Charges


Sec.  2423.1  Resolution of unfair labor practice disputes prior to a 
Regional Director determination whether to issue a complaint.

    The purposes and policies of the Federal Service Labor-Management 
Relations Statute can best be achieved by the collaborative efforts of 
all persons covered by that law. The General Counsel encourages all 
persons on their own to meet, and in good faith, attempt to settle 
unfair labor practice disputes. To maintain complete neutrality, the 
General Counsel may not be involved with such settlement discussions 
with the parties prior to a Regional Director determination on the 
merits. Attempts by the parties to resolve unfair labor practice 
disputes prior to filing an unfair labor practice charge do not toll 
the time limitations for filing a charge set forth at 5 U.S.C. 
7118(a)(4).

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Sec.  2423.2  Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) services.

    The General Counsel provides ADR services under Sec.  2423.12(a) 
after a Regional Director has determined to issue a complaint.


Sec.  2423.3  Who may file charges.

    (a) Filing charges. Any person may charge an activity, agency or 
labor organization with having engaged in, or engaging in, any unfair 
labor practice prohibited under 5 U.S.C. 7116.
    (b) Charging Party. Charging Party means the individual, labor 
organization, activity or agency filing an unfair labor practice charge 
with a Regional Director.
    (c) Charged Party. Charged Party means the activity, agency or 
labor organization charged with allegedly having engaged in, or 
engaging in, an unfair labor practice.


Sec.  2423.4  Contents of the charge; supporting evidence and 
documents.

    (a) What to file. The Charging Party may file a charge alleging a 
violation of 5 U.S.C. 7116 by completing a form prescribed by the 
General Counsel, or on a substantially similar form, that contains the 
following information:
    (1) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number (where 
facsimile equipment is available), and e-mail address of the Charging 
Party;
    (2) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number (where 
facsimile equipment is available), and e-mail address of the Charged 
Party;
    (3) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number (where 
facsimile equipment is available), and e-mail address of the Charging 
Party's point of contact;
    (4) The name, address, telephone number, facsimile number (where 
facsimile equipment is available), and e-mail address of the Charged 
Party's point of contact;
    (5) A clear and concise statement of the facts alleged to 
constitute an unfair labor practice, a statement of how those facts 
allegedly violate specific section(s) and paragraph(s) of the Federal 
Service Labor-Management Relations Statute and the date and place of 
occurrence of the particular acts; and
    (6) A statement whether the subject matter raised in the charge:
    (i) Has been raised previously in a grievance procedure;
    (ii) Has been referred to the Federal Service Impasses Panel, the 
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, the Equal Employment 
Opportunity Commission, the Merit Systems Protection Board, or the 
Office of the Special Counsel for consideration or action;
    (iii) Involves a negotiability issue raised by the Charging Party 
in a petition pending before the Authority pursuant to part 2424 of 
this subchapter; or
    (iv) Has been the subject of any other administrative or judicial 
proceeding.
    (7) A statement describing the result or status of any proceeding 
identified in paragraph (a)(6) of this section.
    (b) When to file. Under 5 U.S.C. 7118 (a)(4), a charge alleging an 
unfair labor practice must normally be filed within six (6) months of 
its occurrence.
    (c) Declarations of truth and statement of service. A charge shall 
be in writing and signed, and shall contain a declaration by the 
individual signing the charge, under the penalties of the Criminal Code 
(18 U.S.C. 1001), that its contents are true and correct to the best of 
that individual's knowledge and belief.
    (d) Statement of service. A charge shall also contain a statement 
that the Charging Party served the charge on the Charged Party, and 
shall list the name, title and location of the individual served, and 
the method of service.
    (e) Self-contained document. A charge shall be a self-contained 
document describing the alleged unfair labor practice without a need to 
refer to supporting evidence and documents submitted under paragraph 
(f) of this section.
    (f) Submitting supporting evidence and documents and identifying 
potential witnesses. When filing a charge, the Charging Party shall 
submit to the Regional Director, any supporting evidence and documents, 
including, but not limited to, correspondence and memoranda, records, 
reports, applicable collective bargaining agreement clauses, memoranda 
of understanding, minutes of meetings, applicable regulations, 
statements of position and other documentary evidence. The Charging 
Party also shall identify potential witnesses with contact information 
(telephone number, e-mail address, and facsimile number) and shall 
provide a brief synopsis of their expected testimony.


Sec.  2423.5  [Reserved]


Sec.  2423.6  Filing and service of copies.

    (a) Where to file. A Charging Party shall file the charge with the 
Regional Director for the region in which the alleged unfair labor 
practice has occurred or is occurring. A charge alleging that an unfair 
labor practice has occurred or is occurring in two or more regions may 
be filed with the Regional Director in any of those regions.
    (b) Filing date. A charge is deemed filed when it is received by a 
Regional Director. A charge received in a Region after the close of the 
business day will be deemed received and docketed on the next business 
day. The business hours for each of the Regional Offices are set forth 
at www.FLRA.gov.
    (c) Method of filing. A Charging Party may file a charge with the 
Regional Director in person or by commercial delivery, first class 
mail, facsimile or certified mail. If filing by facsimile transmission, 
the Charging Party is not required to file an original copy of the 
charge with the Region. A Charging Party assumes responsibility for 
receipt of a charge. Supporting evidence and documents must be 
submitted to the Regional Director in person, by commercial delivery, 
first class mail, certified mail, or by facsimile transmission. Charges 
shall not be filed by electronic mail.
    (d) Service of the charge. The Charging Party shall serve a copy of 
the charge (without supporting evidence and documents) on the Charged 
Party. Where facsimile equipment is available, the charge may be served 
by facsimile transmission in accordance with paragraph (c) of this 
section.


Sec.  2423.7  [Reserved]


Sec.  2423.8  Investigation of charges.

    (a) Investigation. The Regional Director, on behalf of the General 
Counsel, conducts an unbiased, neutral investigation of the charge as 
the Regional Director deems necessary. During the course of the 
investigation, all parties involved are afforded an opportunity to 
present their evidence and views to the Regional Director.
    (b) Cooperation. The purposes and policies of the Federal Service 
Labor-Management Relations Statute can best be achieved by the full 
cooperation of all parties involved and the timely submission of all 
potentially relevant information from all potential sources during the 
course of the investigation. All persons shall cooperate fully with the 
Regional Director in the investigation of charges. The failure of a 
Charging Party to cooperate during an investigation may provide grounds 
for a Regional Director to dismiss the charge for failure to produce 
evidence supporting the charge.
    Cooperation includes any of the following actions, when deemed 
appropriate by the Regional Director:
    (1) Making union officials, employees, and agency supervisors and 
managers available to give sworn/affirmed testimony regarding matters 
under investigation;

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    (2) Producing documentary evidence pertinent to the matters under 
investigation; and
    (3) Providing statements of position on the matters under 
investigation.
    (c) Investigatory subpoenas. If a person fails to cooperate with 
the Regional Director in the investigation of a charge, the General 
Counsel, upon recommendation of a Regional Director, may decide in 
appropriate circumstances to issue a subpoena under 5 U.S.C. 7132 for 
the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of 
documentary or other evidence. However, no subpoena shall be issued 
under this section which requires the disclosure of intramanagement 
guidance, advice, counsel or training within an agency or between an 
agency and the Office of Personnel Management.
    (1) A subpoena shall be served by any individual who is at least 18 
years old and who is not a party to the proceeding. The individual who 
served the subpoena must certify that he or she did so:
    (i) By delivering it to the witness in person;
    (ii) By registered or certified mail; or
    (iii) By delivering the subpoena to a responsible individual (named 
in the document certifying the delivery) at the residence or place of 
business (as appropriate) of the person for whom the subpoena was 
intended. The subpoena shall show on its face the name and address of 
the Regional Director and the General Counsel.
    (2) Any person served with a subpoena who does not intend to comply 
shall, within 5 days after the date of service of the subpoena upon 
such person, petition in writing to revoke the subpoena. A copy of any 
petition to revoke shall be served on the General Counsel.
    (3) The General Counsel shall revoke the subpoena if the witness or 
evidence, the production of which is required, is not material and 
relevant to the matters under investigation or in question in the 
proceedings, or the subpoena does not describe with sufficient 
particularity the evidence the production of which is required, or if 
for any other reason sufficient in law the subpoena is invalid. The 
General Counsel shall state the procedural or other grounds for the 
ruling on the petition to revoke. The petition to revoke, shall become 
part of the official record if there is a hearing under subpart C of 
this part.
    (4) Upon the failure of any person to comply with a subpoena issued 
by the General Counsel, the General Counsel shall determine whether to 
institute proceedings in the appropriate district court for the 
enforcement of the subpoena. Enforcement shall not be sought if to do 
so would be inconsistent with law, including the Federal Service Labor-
Management Relations Statute.
    (d) Confidentiality. It is the General Counsel's policy to protect 
the identity of individuals who submit statements and information 
during the investigation, and to protect against the disclosure of 
documents obtained during the investigation, as a means of ensuring the 
General Counsel's continuing ability to obtain all relevant 
information. After issuance of a complaint and in preparation for a 
hearing, however, identification of witnesses, a synopsis of their 
expected testimony and documents proposed to be offered into evidence 
at the hearing may be disclosed as required by the prehearing 
disclosure requirements in Sec.  2423.23.


Sec.  2423.9  Amendment of charges.

    Prior to the issuance of a complaint, the Charging Party may amend 
the charge in accordance with the requirements set forth in Sec.  
2423.6.


Sec.  2423.10  Action by the Regional Director.

    (a) Regional Director action. The Regional Director, on behalf of 
the General Counsel, may take any of the following actions, as 
appropriate:
    (1) Approve a request to withdraw a charge;
    (2) Dismiss a charge;
    (3) Approve a written settlement agreement in accordance with the 
provisions of Sec.  2423.12;
    (4) Issue a complaint; or
    (5) Withdraw a complaint.
    (b) Request for appropriate temporary relief. Parties may request 
the General Counsel to seek appropriate temporary relief (including a 
restraining order) under 5 U.S.C. 7123(d). The General Counsel may 
initiate and prosecute injunctive proceedings under 5 U.S.C. 7123(d) 
only upon approval of the Authority. A determination by the General 
Counsel not to seek approval of the Authority to seek such appropriate 
temporary relief is final and shall not be appealed to the Authority.
    (c) General Counsel requests to the Authority. When a complaint 
issues and the Authority approves the General Counsel's request to seek 
appropriate temporary relief (including a restraining order) under 5 
U.S.C. 7123(d), the General Counsel may make application for 
appropriate temporary relief (including a restraining order) in the 
district court of the United States within which the unfair labor 
practice is alleged to have occurred or in which the party sought to be 
enjoined resides or transacts business. Temporary relief may be sought 
if it is just and proper and the record establishes probable cause that 
an unfair labor practice is being committed. Temporary relief shall not 
be sought if it would interfere with the ability of the agency to carry 
out its essential functions.
    (d) Actions subsequent to obtaining appropriate temporary relief. 
The General Counsel shall inform the district court which granted 
temporary relief pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 7123(d) whenever an 
Administrative Law Judge recommends dismissal of the complaint, in 
whole or in part.


Sec.  2423.11  Determination not to issue complaint; review of action 
by the Regional Director.

    (a) Opportunity to withdraw a charge. If, upon the completion of an 
investigation under Sec.  2423.8, a decision has been made to dismiss 
the charge, the Regional Director will notify the parties of the 
decision and the Charging Party will be advised of an opportunity to 
withdraw the charge(s).
    (b) Dismissal letter. If the Charging Party does not withdraw the 
charge within a reasonable period of time, the Regional Director will, 
on behalf of the General Counsel, dismiss the charge and provide the 
parties with a written statement of the reasons for not issuing a 
complaint.
    (c) Appeal of a dismissal letter. The Charging Party may obtain 
review of the Regional Director's decision not to issue a complaint by 
filing an appeal with the General Counsel within 25 days after service 
of the Regional Director's decision. A Charging Party shall serve a 
copy of the appeal on the Regional Director. The General Counsel shall 
serve notice on the Charged Party that an appeal has been filed.
    (d) Extension of time. The Charging Party may file a request, in 
writing, for an extension of time to file an appeal, which shall be 
received by the General Counsel not later than 5 days before the date 
the appeal is due. A Charging Party shall serve a copy of the request 
for an extension of time on the Regional Director.
    (e) Grounds for granting an appeal. The General Counsel may grant 
an appeal when the appeal establishes at least one of the following 
grounds:
    (1) The Regional Director's decision did not consider material 
facts that would have resulted in issuance of a complaint;
    (2) The Regional Director's decision is based on a finding of a 
material fact that is clearly erroneous;

[[Page 72636]]

    (3) The Regional Director's decision is based on an incorrect 
statement or application of the applicable rule of law;
    (4) There is no Authority precedent on the legal issue in the case; 
or
    (5) The manner in which the Region conducted the investigation has 
resulted in prejudicial error.
    (f) General Counsel action. The General Counsel may deny the appeal 
of the Regional Director's dismissal of the charge, or may grant the 
appeal and remand the case to the Regional Director to take further 
action. The General Counsel's decision on the appeal states the grounds 
listed in paragraph (e) of this section for denying or granting the 
appeal, and is served on all the parties. Absent a timely motion for 
reconsideration, the decision of the General Counsel is final.
    (g) Reconsideration. After the General Counsel issues a final 
decision, the Charging Party may move for reconsideration of the final 
decision if it can establish extraordinary circumstances in its moving 
papers. The motion shall be filed within 10 days after the date on 
which the General Counsel's final decision is postmarked. A motion for 
reconsideration shall state with particularity the extraordinary 
circumstances claimed and shall be supported by appropriate citations. 
The decision of the General Counsel on a motion for reconsideration is 
final.


Sec.  2423.12  Settlement of unfair labor practice charges after a 
Regional Director determination to issue a complaint but prior to 
issuance of a complaint.

    (a) Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). After a merit 
determination to issue a complaint, the Regional Director will work 
with the parties to settle the dispute using ADR, to avoid costly and 
protracted litigation.
    (b) Bilateral informal settlement agreement. Prior to issuing a 
complaint but after a merit determination by the Regional Director, the 
Regional Director may afford the Charging Party and the Charged Party a 
reasonable period of time to enter into an informal settlement 
agreement to be approved by the Regional Director. When a Charged Party 
complies with the terms of an informal settlement agreement approved by 
the Regional Director, no further action is taken in the case. If the 
Charged Party fails to perform its obligations under the approved 
informal settlement agreement, the Regional Director may institute 
further proceedings.
    (c) Unilateral informal settlement agreement. If the Charging Party 
elects not to become a party to a bilateral settlement agreement which 
the Regional Director concludes effectuates the policies of the Federal 
Service Labor-Management Relations Statute, the Regional Director may 
choose to approve a unilateral settlement between the General Counsel 
and the Charged Party. The Regional Director, on behalf of the General 
Counsel, shall issue a letter stating the grounds for approving the 
settlement agreement and declining to issue a complaint. The Charging 
Party may obtain review of the Regional Director's action by filing an 
appeal with the General Counsel in accordance with Sec.  2423.11(c) and 
(d). The General Counsel shall take action on the appeal as set forth 
in Sec.  2423.11(e)-(g).


Sec. Sec.  2423.13-2423.19  [Reserved]

    Dated: December 18, 2007.
Colleen Duffy Kiko,
General Counsel, Federal Labor Relations Authority.
[FR Doc. E7-24846 Filed 12-20-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6727-01-P