The Federal Labor Relations Act of 1978 (FLRA) is a federal law which establishes collective bargaining rights for most employees of the federal government in the United States.The FLRA was adopted after President Jimmy Carter pushed for legislation to regularize federal labor relations.
In passing the act, Congress declared that it wished to encourage collective bargaining between federal employees and their employers. Congress declared that collective bargaining is "in the public interest" because, among other things, it "contributes to the effective conduct of public business" and "facilitates and encourages the amicable settlements of disputes between employees and their employers involving conditions of employment."
With only a some major exceptions, it is patterned on the National Labor Relations Act.
Employees can “bargain” but just not over pay or strike when not satisfied. Think Air Controllers and Reagan.
Congress sets the pay scale for federal employees.