| Comment Number: | EM-017504 |
| Received: | 3/10/2005 5:19:24 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:
March 10, 2005 DoD NSPS Comments , DoD NSPS Comments: I write to express my concerns about changes to work rules in the Department of Defense (DoD). The proposed regulations, known as the National Security Personnel System (NSPS), were printed in the Federal Register on February 14, 2005. This message will be sent to both DoD and my representatives in Congress. I am angry that these proposals seem to treat the employees who help defend our country as the enemy. Most DoD employees work hard and are committed. I believe that mistreating the employees will hurt the agency?s mission. I am very upset by NSPS. This system will change the way workers are paid, evaluated, promoted, fired, scheduled, and treated. These rules would create a system in which federal managers are influenced by favoritism rather than serving the civil concerns of the American people. I am especially concerned over the provisions that will weaken labor relations and damage employee rights, such as the following: (1) Not allow grievance arbitration for adverse actions more serious than a 14-day suspension. (2) Allow DoD regulations that supersede all existing collective bargaining agreements and block further bargaining. (3) Replace the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA), its professional staff and Regional Offices, with a three (3) person labor-relations board appointed by the DoD Secretary. (4) Institute a patronage system link to pay by instituting pay bands and pay-for-performance for all jobs. Much of the changes service to make judgements of performance much less objective and subject to vindictive managers, without recourse available to employees who may be subect to abusive practices. These changes will surely hurt the morale and productivity of the federal work force and reduce the attractiveness of federal employement to qualified individuals. America is at war. We are fighting for democracy abroad. But these regulations are an attack on workers? basic rights. Furthermore, NSPS will divert the attention of defense workers from the soldiers? welfare to protecting themselves from abuse on the job. I urge you to force DoD to rethink this proposal. We need work rules that preserve fairness, serve the American people, and respect the rights of Defense Department workers. Sincerely,