[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 75 (Wednesday, April 18, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 19988-19989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-9676]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment Standards Administration


Obligations of Federal Contractors and Subcontractors; Notice of 
Employee Rights Concerning Payment of Union Dues or Fees

AGENCY: Employment Standards Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Interim Procedural Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Employment Standards Administration (ESA) is issuing this 
interim procedural notice to assist federal contractors and 
subcontractors in meeting their obligations under Executive Order 13201 
(66 FR 11221, February 22, 2001) issued pursuant to the Constitution 
and laws of the United States, including the Federal Property and 
Administrative Services Act, 40 U.S.C. 471 et seq. and in order to 
ensure the economical and efficient administration and completion of 
Government contracts.

EFFECTIVE DATE: April 18, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Don Todd, Deputy Assistant Secretary, 
Office of Labor-Management Standards, Employment Standards 
Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW, 
Room S2321, Washington, DC 20210 at (202) 693-0200 (this is not a toll-
free number). Individuals with hearing impairments may call 1-800-877-
8339 (TTY/TDD).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This interim procedural notice is intended 
to provide guidance during the period between the April 18, 2001 
effective date of the Order and the date ESA issues a final rule 
implementing the Order to employers who, on or after April 18, 2001, 
enter into a federal contract other than collective bargaining 
agreements as defined in 5 U.S.C. 7103(a)(8) and purchases under the 
``Simplified Acquisition Threshold'' as defined in the Office of 
Federal Procurement Policy Act (41 U.S.C. 403). During this interim 
period, such employers may fulfill their posting obligations under the 
Order by replicating the text of the Employee Notice which is set forth 
below and posting it in conspicuous places in and about their plants 
and offices, including all places where notices to employees are 
customarily posted. Executive Order 13201 also requires federal 
contractors and subcontractors to include a clause in federally 
connected subcontracts and purchase orders requiring subcontractors and 
vendors to post the notice. Following is the text of the required 
Notice:

Notice to Employees

    Under Federal law, employees cannot be required to join a union 
or maintain membership in a union in order to retain their jobs. 
Under certain conditions, the law permits a union and an employer to 
enter into a union-security agreement requiring employees to pay 
uniform periodic dues and initiation fees. However, employees who 
are not union members can object to the use of their payments for 
certain purposes and can only be required to pay their share of 
union costs relating to collecting bargaining, contract 
administration, or grievance adjustment.

[[Page 19989]]

    If you do not want to pay that portion of dues or fees used to 
support activities not related to collective bargaining, contract 
administration, or grievance adjustment, you are entitled to an 
appropriate reduction in your payment. If you believe that you have 
been required to pay dues or fees used in part to support activities 
not related to collective bargaining, contract administration, or 
grievance adjustment, you may be entitled to a refund and to an 
appropriate reduction in future payments.
    For further information concerning your rights, you may wish to 
contact the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) either at one of 
its Regional offices or at the following address: National Labor 
Relations Board, Division of Information, 1099 14th Street, NW., 
Washington, DC 20570.
    To locate the nearest NLRB office, see NLRB's website at 
www.nlrb.gov.

    The last sentence of the Notice, however, shall be omitted in 
notices posted in the plants or offices of carriers subject to the 
Railway Labor Act, as amended (45 U.S.C. 152 et seq.).

Regulatory Procedures

Executive Order 12866

    The Department of Labor has determined that this notice is not a 
``significant regulatory action'' under Executive Order 12866 because 
this action will not: (1) Have an annual effect on the economy of $100 
million or more, or adversely affect in a material way the economy, a 
sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the 
environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal 
governments or communities; (2) create a serious inconsistency, or 
otherwise interfere, with an action taken or planned by another agency; 
(3) materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user 
fees, or loan programs, or the rights and obligations of recipients 
thereof; or (4) raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal 
mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in 
Executive Order 12866. Therefore, a regulatory impact analysis is 
unnecessary.

Congressional Review Act

    This notice is not a major rule for purposes of the Congressional 
Review Act.

Unfunded Mandates

    Executive Order 12875--This notice does not create an unfunded 
Federal Mandate upon any State, local, or tribal government.
    Unfunded Mandate Reform Act of 1995--This notice does not include 
any Federal mandate that may result in increased expenditures by State, 
local and tribal governments in the aggregate of $100 million or more, 
or increased expenditures by the private sector of $100 million or 
more.

Executive Order 13132

    This notice has been reviewed in accordance with Executive Order 
13132 regarding Federalism. This notice will not have substantial 
direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the national 
government and the States, or on the distribution of power and 
responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, the 
requirements of section 6 of Executive Order 13132 do not apply to this 
notice.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    This notice does not substantially change the existing obligations 
of Federal contractors or subcontractors. The Department of Labor 
certifies that the notice will not have a significant economic impact 
on a substantial number of small business entities. Therefore, no 
regulatory flexibility analysis is required.

    Signed at Washington, DC this 13th day of April, 2001.
Joe N. Kennedy,
Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment Standards.
[FR Doc. 01-9676 Filed 4-17-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-27-M