(a) Every employee has the right to form, join, or assist any labor organization, or to refrain from any such activity, freely and without fear of penalty or reprisal. Each employee shall be protected in the exercise of such right.

Terms Used In 22 USC 4104

  • collective bargaining: means the performance of the mutual obligation of the management representative of the Department and of the exclusive representative of employees to meet at reasonable times and to consult and bargain in a good-faith effort to reach agreement with respect to the conditions of employment affecting employees, and to execute, if requested by either party, a written document incorporating any collective bargaining agreement reached, but this obligation does not compel either party to agree to a proposal or to make a concession. See 22 USC 4102
  • conditions of employment: means personnel policies, practices, and matters, whether established by regulation or otherwise, affecting working conditions, but does not include policies, practices, and matters&mdash. See 22 USC 4102
  • employee: means &mdash. See 22 USC 4102
  • Government: means the Government of the United States. See 22 USC 3902
  • labor organization: means an organization composed in whole or in part of employees, in which employees participate and pay dues, and which has as a purpose dealing with the Department concerning grievances (as defined in section 4131 of this title) and conditions of employment, but does not include&mdash. See 22 USC 4102
  • Secretary: means the Secretary of State, except that (subject to section 3921 of this title) with reference to the exercise of functions under this Act with respect to any agency authorized by law to utilize the Foreign Service personnel system, such term means the head of that agency. See 22 USC 3902

(b) Except as otherwise provided under this subchapter, such right includes the right—

(1) to act for a labor organization in the capacity of a representative and, in that capacity, to present the views of the labor organization to the Secretary and other officials of the Government, including the Congress, or other appropriate authorities; and

(2) to engage in collective bargaining with respect to conditions of employment through representatives chosen by employees under this subchapter.