---
kind: "section"
citation: "5 U.S.C. § 7117"
title: "5"
title_heading: "Government Organization and Employees"
number: "7117"
heading: "Duty to bargain in good faith; compelling need; duty to consult"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/5/7117"
units:
  - "Part III — Employees"
  - "Subpart F — Labor-Management and Employee Relations"
  - "Chapter 71 — Labor-Management Relations"
  - "Subchapter II — Rights and Duties of Agencies and Labor Organizations"
---

# §7117. Duty to bargain in good faith; compelling need; duty to consult

- (a)
  - (1) Subject to paragraph (2) of this subsection, the duty to bargain in good faith shall, to the extent not inconsistent with any Federal law or any [Government](/usc/5/4101.md?p=3)-wide rule or regulation, extend to matters which are the subject of any rule or regulation only if the rule or regulation is not a [Government](/usc/5/4101.md?p=3)-wide rule or regulation.
  - (2) The duty to bargain in good faith shall, to the extent not inconsistent with Federal law or any [Government](/usc/5/4101.md?p=3)-wide rule or regulation, extend to matters which are the subject of any [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) rule or regulation referred to in paragraph (3) of this subsection only if the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6) has determined under [subsection (b)](#b) of this section that no compelling need (as determined under regulations prescribed by the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6)) exists for the rule or regulation.
  - (3) [Paragraph (2)](#a-2) of the subsection applies to any rule or regulation issued by any [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) or issued by any primary national subdivision of such [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1), unless an [exclusive representative](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-16) represents an appropriate unit including not less than a majority of the [employees](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2) in the issuing [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) or primary national subdivision, as the case may be, to whom the rule or regulation is applicable.
- (b)
  - (1) In any case of [collective bargaining](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-12) in which an [exclusive representative](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-16) alleges that no compelling need exists for any rule or regulation referred to in [subsection (a)(3)](#a-3) of this section which is then in effect and which governs any matter at issue in such [collective bargaining](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-12), the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6) shall determine under paragraph (2) of this subsection, in accordance with regulations prescribed by the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6), whether such a compelling need exists.
  - (2) For the purpose of this section, a compelling need shall be determined not to exist for any rule or regulation only if—
    - (A) the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1), or primary national subdivision, as the case may be, which issued the rule or regulation informs the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6) in writing that a compelling need for the rule or regulation does not exist; or
    - (B) the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6) determines that a compelling need for a rule or regulation does not exist.
  - (3) A hearing may be held, in the discretion of the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6), before a determination is made under this subsection. If a hearing is held, it shall be expedited to the extent practicable and shall not include the General Counsel as a party.
  - (4) The [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1), or primary national subdivision, as the case may be, which issued the rule or regulation shall be a necessary party at any hearing under this subsection.
- (c)
  - (1) Except in any case to which [subsection (b)](#b) of this section applies, if an [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) involved in [collective bargaining](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-12) with an [exclusive representative](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-16) alleges that the duty to bargain in good faith does not extend to any matter, the [exclusive representative](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-16) may appeal the allegation to the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6) in accordance with the provisions of this subsection.
  - (2) The [exclusive representative](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-16) may, on or before the 15th day after the date on which the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) first makes the allegation referred to in paragraph (1) of this subsection, institute an appeal under this subsection by—
    - (A) filing a petition with the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6); and
    - (B) furnishing a copy of the petition to the head of the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1).
  - (3) On or before the 30th day after the date of the receipt by the head of the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) of the copy of the petition under paragraph (2)(B) of this subsection, the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) shall—
    - (A) file with the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6) a statement—
      - (i) withdrawing the allegation; or
      - (ii) setting forth in full its reasons supporting the allegation; and
    - (B) furnish a copy of such statement to the [exclusive representative](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-16).
  - (4) On or before the 15th day after the date of the receipt by the [exclusive representative](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-16) of a copy of a statement under paragraph (3)(B) of this subsection, the [exclusive representative](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-16) shall file with the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6) its response to the statement.
  - (5) A hearing may be held, in the discretion of the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6), before a determination is made under this subsection. If a hearing is held, it shall not include the General Counsel as a party.
  - (6) The [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6) shall expedite proceedings under this subsection to the extent practicable and shall issue to the [exclusive representative](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-16) and to the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) a written decision on the allegation and specific reasons therefor at the earliest practicable date.
- (d)
  - (1) A [labor organization](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-4) which is the [exclusive representative](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-16) of a substantial number of [employees](/usc/5/4701.md?p=a-2), determined in accordance with criteria prescribed by the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6), shall be granted consultation rights by any [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) with respect to any [Government](/usc/5/4101.md?p=3)-wide rule or regulation issued by the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) effecting any substantive change in any condition of employment. Such consultation rights shall terminate when the [labor organization](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-4) no longer meets the criteria prescribed by the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6). Any issue relating to a [labor organization](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-4)’s eligibility for, or continuation of, such consultation rights shall be subject to determination by the [Authority](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-6).
  - (2) A [labor organization](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-4) having consultation rights under paragraph (1) of this subsection shall—
    - (A) be informed of any substantive change in [conditions of employment](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-14) proposed by the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1), and
    - (B) shall be permitted reasonable time to present its views and recommendations regarding the changes.
  - (3) If any views or recommendations are presented under paragraph (2) of this subsection to an [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) by any [labor organization](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-4)—
    - (A) the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) shall consider the views or recommendations before taking final action on any matter with respect to which the views or recommendations are presented; and
    - (B) the [agency](/usc/5/3132.md?p=a-1) shall provide the [labor organization](/usc/5/7103.md?p=a-4) a written statement of the reasons for taking the final action.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 95–454, title VII, § 701, Oct. 13, 1978, 92 Stat. 1205.)

## Notes

### Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective 90 days after Oct. 13, 1978, see section 907 of Pub. L. 95–454, set out as an Effective Date of 1978 Amendment note under section 1101 of this title.

### Partial Suspension of Federal Service Labor-Management Relations

Subsec. (b) of this section suspended with regard to any regulation governing the implementation by the United States Forces, and subsec. (c) of this section suspended with respect to any matter proposed for bargaining which would substantially impair the implementation by the United States Forces, of any treaty or agreement, including any minutes or understandings thereto, between the United States and the Government of the host nation, see section 1(b), (c) of Ex. Ord. No. 12391, Nov. 4, 1982, 47 F.R. 50457, set out as a note under section 7103 of this title.