Advice The Division of Advice furnishes legal advice to regional offices upon request or when necessary to carry out the General Counsel's policy decisions. At the beginning of 1973 all unfair labor practice advice work was consolidated by bringing together the Regional Advice Branch from the Division of Operations and the District Court and Legal Research Branches from the Division of Litigation. The purpose of this reorganization was to provide better advice, more efficiently and more quickly. The advice workload is estimated to be 1,361 in 1975 and 1,385 in 1976. A 3.3% productivity increase is predicted in 1975 and a 3.0% increase is estimated for 1976. Appeals The Office of Appeals was established by the General Counsel to provide an independent review of charging party appeals from case dismissals by Regional Directors. The General Counsel reorganized the Office of Appeals in fiscal year 1972 to streamline its operations. As a result the median time required to process appeals has dropped from 57 days in fiscal year 1971 to 20 days in fiscal year 1972, 17 days in fiscal year 1973, and 15 days in fiscal year 1974. We expect the office to continue its excellent service in fiscal year 1976 with the employment and funds requested. Division of Administration The Division of Administration is responsible for all the housekeeping functions required by the Agency to enable the case handling functions to operate effectively. The Division had been reorganized in 1974 to be more responsive to the needs of the Agency. The Division is working hard in 1975 to implement a performance measurement system which we expect to lead to a higher level of productivity in service to the Agency. We will be able to continue to serve the Agency well with the employment and funds requested for 1976. MAJOR AREAS OF COST INCREASE We estimate cost increases of $5,830,000 in 1976. These increases are accounted for principally in the following areas. 1. Employment Costs We estimate an increase of 118.3 man-years average employment for 1976 over 1975. Approximately 2.9 million dollars is necessary to meet the costs of this additional employment in 1976 and normal within-grades and promotions for employees. Costs will rise about seven-tenths million dollars in fiscal year 1976 to cover the effect of the October 1975 pay act. Just over two-tenths million dollars is necessary to cover cost of an extra day in 1976. Over three-tenths million dollars is needed to cover additional overtime payments. 52-899 O-75-68 2. dollars. Space rentals, repairs and alterations We estimate additional space needs of just over three-tenths million Another one-tenth million dollars is necessary to pay for repairs and alterations to existing space. 3. Other increases Over 1.1 million dollars is needed to meet increased communications, supply, training, printing, and moving expenses. Additional detail for cost increases is presented in our Summary of Change table on page three. MANAGEMENT IMPROVEMENT AND COST REDUCTION The National Labor Relations Board has effectively dealt with an increase in total case intake of over 26% from fiscal year 1970 through fiscal year 1974 with an increase in average employment of less than 9.3%. Our current estimate of savings for 1975 utilizing our existing manpower is estimated at $2,835,000. Our 1976 savings are predicated on a 1 to 2% productivity rise in most areas of case handling and are expected to be $664,000. SUMMARY With the same understanding and assistance which the committee has provided us in the past, we can continue to resolve labor disputes quickly with least disruption to the nation's economy. |