Three appellate court judges in the District of Columbia began hearing arguments this week in the dispute between DOD and the American Federation of Government Employees over the labor relations portion of the National Security Personnel System. An earlier decision sided with the union and so did Congress when it prohibited DOD from using 2007 funds to cover NSPS labor relations actions, pending the appeal verdict—which could be a long time coming.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.

