The arbitrator’s decision draws a hard line between proactive oversight and reactionary review, leaving the union with limited recourse for influencing settlements before they become final.
USPTO Attorney Union Bid : Meeting Participation and Notification Rights
The arbitration didn’t stop at settlement review. Another point of contention involved the union’s right to participate in formal discussions regarding attorney work issues. While both parties acknowledged the union’s federal labor rights, they couldn’t agree on when those rights should apply.
Chapter 245 pushed for a specific list of meetings where they could formally engage with the agency. Slater, however, dismissed this proposal, arguing that such a list was unnecessary. “Neither party has provided any reason that such a list is either necessary or particularly helpful,” he noted. Without a comprehensive list, the union is left in a more reactive position, awaiting notification of meetings rather than proactively planning for them.
