1. Can I be a member of a labor union bargaining unit while serving in a CIPMS position?

No. CIPMS positions are specifically excluded by law from coverage in the Federal Government's Labor Relations program. Title 5 USC, Section 7112 (b)(6), excludes persons engaged in intelligence, counterintelligence, investigative or security work which directly affects national security. Executive Order 12171 also specifically excludes Army organizations now known as the Intelligence and Security Command, the Intelligence Center and Ft Huachuca, and HQDA, Office of the DCS, G-2.

2. As a CIPMS employee, do I have grievance and appeal rights?

CIPMS employees have the right to present their complaints, grievances, and appeals to the proper authority without fear of restraint, coercion, discrimination or reprisal. You may file grievances under the Department of Defense Administrative Grievance System (DoD AGS). If you are subject to disciplinary/adverse actions, you can either grieve under the AGS or appeal to the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), depending on the nature of the action and your veterans preference eligibility.

3. What is the special termination authority provided for in the law?

Legislation establishing CIPMS gives the Secretary of Defense authority to terminate employment without appeal outside the DOD (e.g. to the MSPB or the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission) when use of other procedures and authorities could jeopardize national security due to the possible disclosure of classified methods, means, sources, etc. Employees removed under this special authority are granted due process through the right to appeal such removals to the Secretary of Defense. Use of this authority requires extremely high level scrutiny. Within Army, the DCS, G-2 serves as the proposing official and the Secretary of the Army is the deciding official. These responsibilities cannot be delegated. With the exception of the special termination authority, most removal actions will be processed under existing procedures in AR 690-700 with appeal rights as described in V-2 above.