In January of 2009, NFFE Local 2052, representing BLM employees in Idaho, filed a grievance against the Department of Interior’s Bureau of Land Management on behalf of all bargaining unit employees. The Grievance alleged violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) and Title V (FEPA), among other violations.
In March of 2009, NFFE Local 1933, representing BLM employees in Utah, filed an identical grievance against BLM.
In August of 2009, NFFE Local 1945, representing BLM employees in Colorado, filed an identical grievance against BLM.
Also in August of 2009, NFFE Local 642, representing BLM employees in Oregon offices, filed an identical grievance against BLM.
The Law Offices of Snider and Associates, as the legal representatives for the Unions, are working hard for the bargaining unit employees to ensure that their rights under federal law are upheld. As part of the process, we have been busily contacting BLM employees about their job duties and how much unpaid overtime they have worked.
The Union and Agency have agreed to stay processing the grievances while an attempt is made to resolve the matters globally. In 2014, the Agency agreed to deal with all four cases similarly and resolve them together. Additionally, the Department of Interior has agreed to try to settle a similar grievance by NFFE 20152 on behalf of employees of the National Business Center – Aviation Management Directorate in Idaho, on the same terms. The Union and Agency remain in settlement negotiations to try to achieve a resolution on the five pending cases.
If you are or were in the NFFE Local 2052, 1933, 1945 or 642 bargaining units at the BLM, please contact us if you believe you have information to share about overtime for which you did not receive proper compensation.
All bargaining unit employees, whether or not they are members of the union, and regardless of position or pay grade, are covered by this grievance and could potentially benefit from a successful result.