Since it was put into place in 2005 by DC’s then-Attorney General Robert J. Spagnoletti, lawyers can take one day off a week if they make up the hours at other times.
Nickels has altered the plan, limiting which days of the week can be taken off, and limiting days off to 20% of lawyers at one time.
The union says that by making unilateral changes to the flexible hours plan, Nickles has violated a collective bargaining agreement. The union says three quarters of the lawyers in the AG’s office take advantage of the plan; and the office uses the plan as a carrot for recruitment.