| Comment Number: | EM-022828 |
| Received: | 3/16/2005 3:46:00 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 16, 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 have worked for the DoD for 28 years as both uniformed military and now as a civilian. The rules governing the civilian workforce have evolved over time from a system of spoils and patronage to one that favored equal opportunity recruitment, merit promotion and much-needed worker protections. I oppose the proposed changes to the personnel system because I feel they will roll back the clock and result in a hostile work environment detrimental to the mission that we all work hard to support. I am also concerned about the obvious risk to federal employees due to increased workplace violence. This new system puts too much power in the hands of managers while removing the avenues of recourse available to employees who are treated unfairly. Workplace tension is always high during the appraisal period as the receipients of performance awards become known but under these proposed changes it will only get worse. Giving managers the ability to effect employee's real pay is a bad idea that can only lead to worse scenarios playing out in the workplace. Another proposal of NSPS that is a bad idea involves the issue of seniority. I don't understand the move to reduce the importance of seniority at a time when the DoD has expressed concerns over the impending skills losses that they anticipate as the senior members of the federal workforce begin to retire. Employees who have demonstrated their loyalty to an employer should be rewarded for that loyalty. The current administration and Republican members of Congress have expressed a disdain for federal employees, calling us lazy, incompetent and impossible to fire. There is a system in place that diligent supervisors have used for many years to successfully get rid of undesireable employees. Still another proposed NSPS provision that I oppose concerns deployment of civilian employees to locations anywhere in the world, even war zones, with little or no notice. I was proud to serve my country in uniform and made myself available for worldwide deployment during those years. But if I wanted to be in the military I would have stayed in the military. I have family responsibilities and personal obligations now that preclude me being available for such deployments. As civilian employees we take an oath that includes giving up certain rights that other workers have. The right to determine where you live and when you move was not one of the rights that I gave up when I took the oath. As Americans we are reminded daily that our country is at war. We realize and accept that during wartime sacrifices have to be made. We are told we are fighting for democracy abroad while our basic rights as workers are being attacked at home. 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. Don't use Homeland Security as a guise to destroy a workforce that has served this country so well for so many years. Sincerely,