The American Federation of Government Employees, which opposes the labor relations portion of DOD’s new National Security Personnel System, now may have to go appeal the latest ruling alone. Government Executive reports that the unions that had joined with the AFGE in prior legal action are not willing to continue to the Supreme Court for fear that losing would “set a broad precedent” that might hamper union effectiveness in other federal labor negotiations. After losing the last Court of Appeals round, the union coalition had indicated it would appeal to the high court.
The Air Force is planning to spend $2.19 billion over the next five years to acquire new C-37 jets for transporting military and civilian leaders. That’s on top of another $1.17 billion in projected funding for the VC-25B “Air Force One” replacement.