| Comment Number: | EM-001361 |
| Received: | 2/24/2005 1:17:19 PM |
| Subject: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment |
| Title: | National Security Personnel System |
| CFR Citation: | 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
February 24, 2005 DoD NSPS Comments , DoD NSPS Comments: Older employees in my office are very concerned about the NSPS. We have heard the following in our auditorium from a manager "When I look around this room, I see too many old people". We have also heard about how pay banding will allow them to progress the pay of young people faster. If the pay pool money remains the same, then the extra pay for younger personnel has to come from somewhere, maybe one of those many older people. If NSPS goes forward I recommend inclusion of provisions to protect older workers. Older workers can remember why the current rules are now in effect. They were in effect to protect the workers. When the current employees were hired, they were hired into specific jobs, at specific locations, with specific benefits. The rules protected them from things like deployment, nepotism, favoritism, etc. With the NSPS in effect ,as written, the managers will be free to deploy people, fire people just before retirement to avoid costs, lower the pay of their least favorites etc. It seems ironic that while on one hand we are being told we are doing a great job on the war effort, most of our rights should be taken away and put under the universal control of a few leaders without significant input from worker organizations. Grievance procedures have been intentionally gutted. Why? It seems like with the war effort on now, us doing a good job, dealing with the upcoming BRAC, that this is a terrible time to also try to implement an overall revamping of personnel rules. How do the managers think we will deal with all these things at the same time and still get the war effort done? One of the stated purposes of NSPS is too attract and retain the best and brightest employees. Does anyone really believe that the best and brightest professionals are going to flock to deployment, changed hours, favoritism, firings before retirement etc. all for the benefit of pay lower than private industry??? I think the best and brightest are going to look at, learn and avoid the government even more. PS. One of my coworkers (in their 20's) has already said to me, "I have to think about what the Government is going to do to me when I am older". PPS. I think this is going to have an adverse effect on teaming because everyone is going to be competing for the same pay. Sincerely,