On November 25, 2025, the Agency provided the Union with an “informational notice” stating that the Agency would begin requiring employees to “badge in” and “badge out” (or “BIBO”) of agency space using their HSPD-12 cards (also known as PIV cards), effective December 1, 2025.

On November 25, 2025, the Union submitted a bargaining demand and request for a briefing.

On December 9, 2025, the Agency provided a briefing on BIBO. The Agency clarified that it was implementing BIBO pursuant to Section 2302 (Utilizing Space Efficiently and Improving Technologies Act) of the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024, which requires federal agencies to implement technological methods to measure agency space usage.

On January 21, 2026, the Agency denied the Union’s bargaining demand and information request. In denying the bargaining demand, the Agency asserted that BIBO data is not intended to be used for discipline, but that should management decide to discipline an employee due to non-compliance with BIBO, they would follow Article 23 of the National Agreement.

REQUESTED RELIEF
1.
The Agency will engage in consultation and negotiations with the Union on mutually agreed-upon dates, ideally within 30 days. In advance of the consultation/bargaining, the Agency will provide the Union with a comprehensive notice explaining its planned BIBO policy, addressing issues raised by the Union, especially any abatement of known safety hazards.
2.
The Agency will provide the Union with the information requested on December 17, 2025, as amended above.
3.
The Agency will issue an electronic notice to all AFGE bargaining unit employees via email, with wording approved by the Union or ordered by an arbitrator.
4.
The Agency will make the Union and any adversely affected employees whole.
5.
Any other relief as mutually agreed upon, or as ordered by an arbitrator.

Review the full grievance below.