OPM defines “collective bargaining‑related expenses” broadly in the FY2024 supplemental report to include: (a) personnel compensation for agency time spent negotiating, processing grievances and resolving disputes (including official time/pay for union representatives and related payroll costs); (b) arbitration and other third‑party fees; (c) travel and per diem related to bargaining/representation; (d) technology and office space devoted to representational activities; and (e) penalties or settlements tied to bargaining/representation. The report’s appendices spell out line‑item definitions and the categories agencies were asked to report.
OPM’s FY2024 supplemental report lists agency‑level totals. The report (and OPM news release) present the governmentwide $181.6 million figure but do not publish a full, agency‑by‑agency breakdown in the news release itself; the PDF contains tables that show how agencies reported costs by category and include per‑agency data (see report tables/appendices for individual agency shares and rankings).
The $181.6 million is government‑reported collective‑bargaining‑related expenses paid by agencies (taxpayer‑funded). It includes agency payments for personnel compensation tied to negotiating/grievances, arbitration fees, travel, technology, office space and settlements — i.e., costs paid by agencies, not a single line for payments to unions only.
Kupor was referring to statutory and administrative protections federal employees have regardless of union membership: merit‑system protections and appeal rights under Title 5 (including appeals/rights for adverse actions under 5 U.S.C. chapter 75 and RIF protections), protection from prohibited personnel practices (5 U.S.C. §2302), and statutory whistleblower and equal‑employment rights. Those statutory appeal and due‑process channels (e.g., MSPB appeals, EEO processes) exist independent of collective bargaining.
OPM collected the FY2024 supplemental data via a formal data call to agencies (see OPM/CHCO memo); agencies submitted the figures to OPM. The data are agency‑reported (self‑reported) using OPM’s data call templates; the report notes the information expands prior official‑time reporting. The supplemental report and OPM data‑call memo describe required fields and what to report (and state OPM’s use of those agency submissions to compile totals). The report does not indicate OPM performed an independent financial audit of every agency submission in the supplemental report.
OPM’s levers are administrative and advisory rather than unilateral elimination of bargaining: OPM issues governmentwide reporting requirements and guidance (data calls, memos) and can analyze and publish cost data; it can advise or require agencies on report submissions and interpret Title 5 authorities. Substantive changes to bargaining rules or statutory rights generally require legislation, changes in collective‑bargaining regulations, agency bargaining (or Executive Branch policy), or Department of Justice/administration enforcement actions. OPM can, however, propose regulation or guidance, provide model policies to agencies, and use reporting transparency to push reforms.