FLRA Rolls Back Counsel Powers After Court Order
Published Date: 10/15/2026
Rule
Summary
The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) is rolling back a recent change to the rules about the General Counsel’s powers after a court said the change wasn’t fair. This affects how Section I.C. of the rules is written, putting it back to the old version starting October 15, 2026. No new costs or big shifts, just fixing the rulebook to match the court’s decision.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Regional Directors Re-authorized to Run Representation Cases
You are affected if you are a federal employee, a federal agency, or a labor organization representing federal employees: as of October 15, 2026, Section I.C. of Appendix B is restored to its prior wording and delegates to Regional Directors the authority to determine appropriate units, conduct investigations and hearings, decide whether a question of representation exists and direct elections, supervise or conduct secret ballot elections, and certify results. Regional Directors are also authorized to receive and process petitions filed under sections 7111, 7112(d), 7113, 7115, and 7117(d) of the Statute, and their authority extends through the conclusion of any hearing conducted by a Regional Office employee.
60-Day Review Window and Finality Rules Reinstated
Decisions and Orders by Regional Directors become the action of the Authority if no interested person files an application for review within sixty (60) days after the Regional Director's Decision and Order, or if the Authority does not undertake review within sixty (60) days after a timely application. The Authority will grant review of a Regional Director's Decision and Order only where compelling reasons exist, and granting review does not stay the Regional Director's action unless the Authority specifically orders a stay.
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The Federal Labor Relations Authority is rolling back a recent rule change after a court said it was unfair. This means the old rules about labor relations and consultation rights are back in place starting October 15, 2026, with just a few small updates staying. If you’re involved in federal labor relations, keep an eye out for any new updates as the FLRA might try again.