[JURIST] Four federal employee union groups have filed suit in federal district court to block the implementation of controversial new personnel regulations at the Department of Homeland Security that may eventually be extended government-wide. The groups contend the new system limits collective bargaining, employee disciplinary appeal rights, and all but eliminates the due process rights that enable employees to freely air grievances against management. Read an American Federation of Government Employees press release. The lawsuit follows an announcement [OPM release] Thursday by the Office of Personnel Management that Department of Homeland Security management will no longer bargain with unions when making decisions about the assignment of work, deployment of personnel and use of new technology. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge has defended the system, and says it aims to help attract and maintain a quality workforce. GOVEEXEC.com has more.