Keith’s note: The White House has issued an Executive Order that strips the ability of NASA employees (and employees at other agencies) to organize unions.

• FYI Chapter 71 of Title 5 of the United States Code is known as the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Act. It establishes the rights and obligations for labor organizations and employees in the federal government, covering areas such as employee rights to organize, the duty to bargain in good faith, and procedures for addressing unfair labor practices and grievances.
• According to this new executive order: “Section 1. Determinations. The agencies and agency subdivisions set forth in section 2 of this order are hereby determined to have as a primary function intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative, or national security work. It is also hereby determined that Chapter 71 of title 5, United States Code, cannot be applied to these agencies and agency subdivisions in a manner consistent with national security requirements and considerations. …. 1-420. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration.”

Hangman’s Noose Found at Wallops Flight Facility Construction Site “The American Federation of Government Employees is working to address recent indications of racial harassment at the Wallops Flight Facility (WFF). Last week, AFGE has learned of a hangman’s noose being placed at a construction site on the Wallops Main Base. It has also been brought to our attention that this is not the first demonstration of racial animus and an […]

AIAA Applauds Federal Measures Assisting Transition of Space Shuttle Professionals “[AIAA President Dr. Mark J.] Lewis continued: “The Labor Department’s decision, in tandem with Rep. Suzanne Kosmas’ (FL-24) recently introduced ‘Space to Schools Act’ – which encourages former space shuttle program workers with relevant aerospace experience to qualify as elementary, secondary, or vocational school teachers, by providing up to $10,000 per worker for required teacher training – represent concrete, first […]