Comments:

House of Representatives

Alabama State House

Montgomery, Alabama 36130

March 9, 2005

Program Executive Office, NSPS

Attn: Mr. Bradley B. Bunn

1400 Key Blvd., Suite B-200

Arlington, VA 22209-5144

Re: National Security System

Dear Mr. Bunn,

I am writing to express my concerns about changes to work rules in the Department of Defense and their effect on the Anniston Army Depot in Calhoun County, Alabama.  AAD has been immeasurably valuable to DOD logistics and continues to prove its merits as one of the premier ordinance facilities in the nation. The success of AAD is a tribute to the dedication and work ethic of the men and women who make up the AAD workforce.

While I recognize and appreciate the fine job done by these workers, I have serious concerns about the new rules enacted by DOD. These rules will have a detrimental effect on those whose diligent service helps make the United States military the world leader that it is.

The proposed regulations, known as the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) will alter the way that employees are paid, evaluated, promoted, fired, schedules, and treated. Under the “pay for performance” system, employees will be evaluated on the personal judgment of their manager, forcing workers to compete with one another for pay raises, subsequently increasing conflict among colleagues, destroying teamwork, and rewarding short-term outcomes.

Under the old system, employee pay was funded by Congress and could not be changed. NSPS will remove the certainty surround employee’s salaries and bonuses. As recently as last year, DOD did not fund its award program. If these regulations are adopted, many will unquestionably lose confidence that their salaries will be funded in the future.

Finally, the NSPS allows federal employees to be assigned anywhere in the world, even into a war zone, which little or not notice. While many AAD are proud to serve their country, they did not enlist in the military and should not be treated as so. These new regulations are a direct attack on federal employees and their rights and I urge you to force DOD to rethink this proposal. We need rules that preserve fairness, serve the American people, and respect the rights of Department of Defense employees.

Thank you for your time and your consideration of these issues.