| Comment Number: | OL-10502322 |
| Received: | 3/1/2005 3:48:30 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:
I am writing to express my concerns about the proposed changes to work rules in the Department of Defense (DoD). I have worked for DoD for 35 years. I am very concerned that these proposals treat employees who defend our country as second class citizens. These rules would create a system in which federal managers influence employee's work by favoritism rather than serving the civil concerns of the American people. Annual Pay Raises Under the General Schedule and FWS, employee pay was clearly understood and dispersed in measured steps. It was funded by Congress and could not be taken away. The NSPS will take away this certainty since salaries and bonuses will funded by DoD. DoD has a history of not funding its awards program. Given the DoD's miserable record on this issue, how can employees feel confident that our salaries and bonuses will be funded in the future? We need Congressional outsight to assure that Federal salaries keep pace with inflation, and be competitive with local salaries. Pay System for Favored Workers With the new pay system, which DoD calls pay for performance, a worker's salary depends on the personal judgment of his or her manager. This system will force workers to compete with one another for pay raises, which will weaken teamwork, and increase conflict among employees. There is no guarantee that the best workers will receive the biggest pay raise, or that the pay increase will be fair or competitive. The management's favored workers will be given the high value assignments and thereby receive the highest pay increases. Pay increases and bonuses will be granted based upon the favored work assignments.