| Comment Number: | EM-017594 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 8:30:26 AM |
| 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 15, 2005 DoD NSPS Comments , DoD NSPS Comments: As a DoD employee, I resent and intensely disagree with the proposed National Security Personnel System (NSPS). Its intended purpose is to negate present Civil Service system. The purpose of the Civil Service Act was to eliminate just such favoritism providing fair hiring practices, wages, working conditions, and grievance system. In the formation of the NSPS and its poliicies, input and legal recourse was denied to unions and employee representatives--meetings behind closed doors and at odd hours. Is this reminiscent of the administration having a "hidden agenda" thatif all was known, it would be soundly rejected? If it walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it must be a duck! The proposed "pay banding" was used in our state govenment system. Yes, it was successful. It resulted in egregiously unfair and dramatically opposed pay standards. The effect of this? Employees became disgruntled, resentful, and divided. The state has become essentially a training ground for learning experieince. Because there is no loyaoty, in 2 or 3 years (or less), they are hired by companies seeking their skills and job experience. The companies willingly pay 2 to 3 times (or more) of what the state has bewen paying. The turnaround rate is mind bogfgling, not to mention what stress itplaces on managers/supervisors to fill vacant positions. As for the preoposed reduction in safe work procedures, doesn't this ignore the OSHA Act of 1971? Again, the purpose of the OSHA Act was to provide a safe working condition and environment with the employee having legal recourse. Not so with NSPS. You, the employee, have no rights to negotiate any area of scheduoing that now improves the quality of work and home life. The years of our service, committment, and loyalty won't count either. DoD employees work hard, provide competent service, and continuity to the government. Many of us are veterans or retired military. But under the NSPS we could lose job to a relatively new person--without regard for our veterans status. We in the Civil Service provide continuity and corporate knowledge when our military coworkers are transferred or deployed. The mission continues and is accomplished. The idea that NSPS will interest future employees is not only absurd, but ridiculous folly. Civil Service as it is now provides a steady income, pay increases, fair wages, incentives, and allows you to concentrate on yo0ur job and the mission. We support the United States and do our jobs to the best of our abilities and knowloedge. It's discouraging and disappointing to see the federal government's attempts to undermine the years of service represented by those of us with time and loyalty tro our jobs. I've survived a BRAC, privatization of a squadron, and now this--NSPS. What will the administration throw at us next? Sincerely,