D
DECERTIFICATION PETITION
A petition filed by employees in an existing unit (or an individual acting on their behalf) asking that an election be held to give unit employees an opportunity to end the incumbent union's exclusive recognition. 5 CFR 2422.1(a)(2). Such a petition must be accompanied by a 30% showing of interest and be timely filed (i.e., not barred by election, certification, or contract bars).
DISCRIMINATION
Discrimination is the unequal treatment of workers because of race, gender, age, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, nationality, union membership or union activity, political affiliation, or some other illegal basis. Discrimination may occur in hiring, types of jobs given, rates of pay, promotions, and transfers, layoffs or other areas. Some employee classes are protected by law while protection for others is negotiated.
DUES WITHHOLDING (CHECKOFF)
5 USC 7115. Dues withholding services provided by the agency to unions that win exclusive recognition or dues withholding recognition.
DURATION CLAUSE (TERM OF AGREEMENT)
Provision in a collective bargaining agreement that specifies the time period during which the agreement is in effect.
DUTY OF FAIR REPRESENTATION
5 USC 7114(a)(1): "An exclusive representative is responsible for representing the interests of all employees in the unit it represents without discrimination and without regard to labor organization membership."
DUTY TO BARGAIN
Broadly conceived, it refers to both (1) the circumstances under which there is a duty to engage in bargaining (see, e.g., COLLECTIVE BARGAINING and MIDTERM BARGAINING) and (2) the negotiability of specific proposals.
