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AFGE NATIONAL SENDS LETTER ON BEHALF OF DOD LOCALS
AS UNION PRESIDENT I CONTINUE TO REPRESENT DCAA EMPLOYEES BEFORE MSPB AND EEOC
UNION UPDATE -
Mario Benavides - Message
This document outlines the ongoing legal, administrative, and union-related actions concerning DCAA employees' telework policies, union rights, and contractual negotiations from March 2023 through early 2026. The overall narrative highlights ongoing legal disputes over union rights, agency authority, and telework policies, with the union actively contesting unilateral actions and emphasizing its continued existence and fight for collective bargaining.
Overview of Actions and Union Response
- In March 2023, the federal government ended maximum telework; the union objected and demanded negotiations. DCAA announced a return to office in April 2024 without bargaining, prompting union objections and continued maximum telework for a year.
- By May 2025, a revised telework agreement was reached, granting auditors three days of telework weekly, management only two. The agency failed to respond to subsequent bargaining notices, ignoring union efforts.
- In January 2025, DCAA sought to terminate remote work and enforce in-person work, citing agency discretion under law, disregarding union and collective bargaining agreements (CBAs). The union reminded the agency of its obligations, but the agency continued to ignore them, citing executive orders.
- From February 2025 to July 2025, the agency unilaterally disapproved agreements, ignoring union and CBA obligations, leading to legal challenges including an injunction filed by AFGE, which was granted and later stayed by the Court of Appeals.
- On July 2025, DCAA orders Union President and Vice-President to perform audit duties and eliminates all Union activities and official time.
- The union filed legal actions before the FLRA, challenging agency actions and union termination. The FLRA accepted the case in August 2025.
- AFGE files an appeal to the stayed order by Court of Appeals and arguments were scheduled for January 2026. In February 2026, the Court of Appeals reverses the entire case without prejudice.
- In April 2026, the Secretary of War issued a memorandum directing DCAA to terminate all union CBAs, leading to the official termination of AFGE Local 524 and union activities. The union responded by joining legal suits and organizing continued resistance.
- Despite legal setbacks, the union emphasizes its resilience, ongoing legal battles, and the importance of member support to restore bargaining rights and union presence. AFGE next Legal filing in scheduled for July 2026.
- Union president continues to represent DCAA employees on multiple legal actions, including cases before MSPB, EEOC, and FLRA, challenging agency discriminatory actions and employment termination. This is possible through litigation and working on his own time.
Mario Benavides - Message
DATES - UNION ACTIONS 2023 - 2026
March 2023
April 2023, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) formally ended the federal government's "maximum telework"
Union notified the Agency of OPM’s action.
April 2024
DCAA announces return to office via email without bargaining with the Union.
Union Objected to the Agency.
Union notifies the Agency to negotiate the Telework Agreement.
Employees continue maximum telework at DCAA for an additional year due to Union efforts.
May 2025
Union and Agency agreed on revised telework agreement.
Union Agreement established auditors at DCAA telework three days per week.
Management receives only two days.
July 2025
Union notifies the Agency about renewing the Union Contract.
No response from DCAA on Notice to bargain CBA.
November 2025
Union reminds Agency of CBA re-negotiation.
No response from the Agency
January 20, 2025
DCAA takes steps to terminate remote work arrangements and require employees to return to work in-person at their respective duty stations on a full-time basis.
” It allows agency heads to “make exemptions they deem necessary” and directs that the directive “be implemented consistent with applicable law.”
Agency ignores the Union and proceeds against the collectively bargaining agreement.
Union demands and reminds the Agency of collective bargaining agreements. The Agency states they will proceed according to OPM instructions.
February 2025
Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Team visits DCAA as defined in Executive Order 14158 of January 20, 2025 (Establishing and Implementing the President’s “Department of Government Efficiency”
The Agency ignores union and CBA obligations.
February 2025
To the extent agency heads instructed subordinate officials to negotiate over such matters, agency heads should immediately instruct subordinate officials to refrain from negotiating over such matters.
The Agency ignores union and CBA obligations.
From February 2025 to July 2025 the Agency ignores the Union citing executive orders.
April 2025
Agencies should exercise their agency head authority under 5 U.S.C. § 7114(c) to disapprove any agreements. Executive Order 14251
The Agency ignores union and CBA obligations.
From February 2025 to July 2025 citing executive orders.
Injunction filed by AFGE Union. See American Federation of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, et al. v. Trump, et al., 25-4014, (9th Cir.)
May 2025
OPM Memorandum: Implementation of Executive Orders 14251 and 14343
Federal Agencies unilaterally terminate Union Contracts.
AFGE 524 is part of AFGE National Office, and a national lawsuit covers DCAA.
The Ninth Circuit Court grants injunction.
June 2025
The U.S. Court of Appeals file case number 25-4014
July 2025
The court receives the government’s emergency motion for stay pending appeal.
AFGE files a REPLY to Response to Motion to Stay Lower Court.
July 2025
Court of Appeals GRANTS the government’s motion for a stay of the district court’s injunction pending appeal.
AFGE files an appeal to the Federal Court of Appeals.
July 2025
Agency has court dates with MSPB and EEOC cases filed by the Union President.
Union continues to represent DCAA employees on legal cases before the MSPB and EEOC.
July 2025
The Agency directs the Union to stop all Union activities and return to Audit work.
All Union work stops. The Agency cancels Union Contract.
August 2025
Union President and Vice-President official time official time ends and assigned to audit work and new SF50s.
Union President writes to DCAA Agency director how the EO 14251 does not apply to DCAA because National Security exists in DCAA through field Detachment.
Agency does not respond to Union objections.
Union President files legal action with the FLRA. Federal Labor Relations Authority.
FLRA accepts Union Case under eFiling No. eOGC022717
Union President take over two months of leave to address Union situation.
August 2025
The parties (Govt and AFGE) Union file simultaneous briefs setting forth their respective positions on whether the case should be reheard en banc.
ANSWERING-APPEAL BRIEF is submitted for filing by American Federation Of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Appellee National Nurses Organizing Committee - National Nurses United, Appellee Service Employees International Union, Appellee National Association of Government Employees, Inc., Appellee National Federation of Federal Employees, IAM, AFL-CIO, Appellee American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO
November 2025
NOTICE OF ORAL ARGUMENT on Monday, January 12, 2026 - 2:00 P.M. - Courtroom 1 - Scheduled Location: Pasadena CA View the Oral Argument Calendar for your case here.
NOTICE OF ORAL ARGUMENT on Monday, January 12, 2026 - 2:00 P.M. - Courtroom 1 - Scheduled Location: Pasadena CA View the Oral Argument Calendar for your case here.
January 12, 2026
UNION CASE IS ARGUED AND SUBMITTED. Audio and video recordings of the argument are available on the court’s website at https://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/media
February 26, 2026
Court of Appeals (9th Circuit) VACATES the preliminary Injunction by District Court.
AFGE GCO notifies all Union of Outcome.
April 2026
MOTION to Extend Time to File Petition for Rehearing filed by Appellee American Federation Of Government Employees, AFL-CIO, Appellee National Nurses Organizing Committee - National Nurses United, Appellee Service Employees International Union, Appellee National Association of Government Employees, Inc., Appellee National Federation of Federal Employees, IAM, AFL-CIO, Appellee American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees, AFL-CIO.
Appellees’ unopposed motion for a 30-day extension of time to file a petition for rehearing en banc, is granted. Any such petition shall be on or before May 13, 2026.
April 2026
On April 9, 2026, the Secretary of War published a memorandum directing components and Defense Agencies and Field Activities (DAFAs), including DCAA, to terminate all union CBAs.
Union is issued a letter officially closing all union activities and union representation.
April 2026
Employees at DCAA receive notice of Union Termination
May 2026
Local 524 joins legal suit with AFGE National Office. Union President prepares legal paperwork on behalf of DCAA employees for submission to AFGE General Counsel Office.
87 DoD Union presidents meet biweekly to work on the litigation.
June 2026
Local President Mario Benavides and Vice President Debra Laney with AFGE National Office and Attorneys of Altshuler Berzon LLP to file formal litigation on DCAA Union Contract.
September 2026
AFGE National Office sends letter to Secretary of War on behalf of DOD Locals
ABOUT
ABOUT AFGE
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) is the largest federal employee union representing federal and D.C. government workers nationwide and overseas. Workers in virtually all functions of government at every federal agency depend upon AFGE for legal representation, legislative advocacy, technical expertise and informational services. The union is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and divided into 12 geographical districts consisting of approximately 1,100 Locals. Over one-half of AFGE's members are consolidated into agency-wide bargaining units. Agencies with the highest concentration of union membership include the Department of Defense, the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Social Security Administration and the Department of Justice.
ABOUT OUR LOCAL 524
AFGE Local 524 is the Local Union for DCAA bargaining unit employees.
The Union in DCAA is a small group of people who are here to help you out.
Running a union just like another business needs money. Please become a dues paying member.
Thank you !!
ABOUT THE AGENCY - DCAA
The Defense Contract Audit Agency (DCAA) is a federal Agency of the United States Department of Defense under the direction of the Under Secretary of Defense (Comptroller). We represent Agency bargaining unit employees nationwide located in three regions and four CADs as follows:
Regions - Directorates
Eastern - Sea
Central - Land
Western- Air
Union Leadership
Executive Board
Local President: Mario E. Benavides
Executive Vice-President: Debra Laney
Secretary: Vacant
Treasurer: Jim Galler (retired)
Eastern Region - Sea Directorate
Vice-President: Debra Laney
Central Region - Land Directorate
Vice-President: Vacant
Western Region - Air Directorate
Vice-President: Vacant
American Federation of Gov't Employees Local 524
Stokesdale, North Carolina 27357, United States
AFGE Local 524 - Union Points of Contact
EASTERN REGION - SEA DIRECTORATE
REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT - Debra Laney
CENTRAL REGION - LAND DIRECTORATE
REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT- Contact:
WESTERN REGION - AIR DIRECTORATE
REGIONAL VICE-PRESIDENT - Contact:
AFGE Local 524 - What we can do for you !!!
Union Services
· Representation
We can speak on your behalf to the Agency about any personnel policy or practice or other general condition of employment.
· Collective Bargaining
“Telework” and “Work schedules” are some benefits bargained through the Union. We are responsible for representing the interests of all bargaining unit employees in the Agency.
· Security Clearances
The Defense Office of Hearings and Appeals (DOHA), is a component of the Defense Legal Services Agency. We can assist you with hearings and advise you on decisions in connection with personnel security clearance cases.
· Investigatory Examination
We can help you with representation in any Agency or DCAA IG investigatory examination.
Union Services
· Interpretation of Agency/Gov't Laws, Rules and Regulations
We can help you with in “translating” any issued Agency or Gov't personnel action.
· Grievances – Arbitration
Performance appraisals, disciplinary actions, promotions, Agency settlements are some areas where we can support you.
· Proceedings
Some of the assistance we also offer but not limited to proceedings before the Federal Labor Relations Authority, Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Merit System Protection Board, etc.
· Legal Representation
Should your case become complex, we can assist you in obtaining legal counsel.
Downloads Union Materials and - AFGE LETTER TO PETE HEGSETH
We can help you protect your rights and interests in any legal action and guide you through the complex set of laws that apply uniquely to federal employees. We can represent you before any of the administrative process before the agency or courts that hear federal employment related litigation matters.
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Contact Us
Thank you for contacting us !!
Email: afgelocal524@yahoo.com
American Federation of Gov't Employees Local 524
North Carolina, United States
Events
Please Note: The Executive Board Meets every Other Wednesday of the Month.
No upcoming events.
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