# FLRA Clarifies Telework Authority Limits

The Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) recently ruled that Presidential Memoranda and Office of Personnel Management (OPM) guidance on telework do not supersede collective bargaining agreements, limiting federal agencies' unilateral authority to ban telework. This decision underscores ongoing legal uncertainty as arbitration cases and appeals continue, notably including a Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) arbitration ordering restoration of pre-March 7, 2025 telework agreements. Procurement professionals and contractors supporting federal agencies should closely track FLRA rulings and related federal court actions, as telework provisions embedded in labor agreements remain a critical factor influencing workforce management, contract enforcement, and operational continuity.

- **Why this matters:** Agencies must consider collective bargaining agreements when implementing telework policies, affecting contract terms and workforce deployment strategies.
- Procurement teams should anticipate potential adjustments in telework-related contract requirements and labor relations provisions.
- Contractors providing workforce management or operational support services may face evolving telework conditions impacting service delivery and compliance.
- Monitoring FLRA decisions and arbitration outcomes is essential for anticipating shifts in federal telework policy enforcement and labor negotiations.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Professional Services
**Topics:** Regulatory Compliance
**Published:** September 18, 2026

### Government Entities
- Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)
- Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- Department of Transportation (DOT)
- Department of the Treasury

### Key Quotes
> My shop (FRA) had an arbitration decision served in July ordering the agency to restore all telework and remote agreements to pre March 7, 2025. FRA filed exceptions in August and our union responded last week.
> — Commenter (FRA employee)

> Member Harrington wrote a result oriented dissent that basically says management can do whatever it wants and ignore the agreed upon telework hours.
> — Original poster

### Sources
- [FLRA Decision Addressing Effect of Telework Orders](https://www.reddit.com/r/fednews/comments/1wk09vm/flra_decision_addressing_effect_of_telework_orders) - reddit-fednews