| Comment Number: | OL-10504427 |
| Received: | 3/9/2005 12:52:59 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:
General Overview I am a Mechanical Engineering Technician, GS11, 10th Step, with 29 years of service. Reviewing the proposal it’s apparent that drastic changes are in the making. If a new system is necessary I feel it should be implemented in the same manner as our transformation from Civil Service Retirement System to the current Federal Employees Retirement System. Establish a date as to when the new system will be implemented. Anyone hired on or after that date will come under the new system while all others will remain under the current system until they leave federal service. When I was hired in October of 1975 the current regulations I am working under existed, were agreed upon, and were terms of my employment. Changing those regulations are in fact violating the contract under which I was hired. I feel this is wrong and unethical. It is also apparent that giving management the discretion in matters of performance over length of service in regards to a RIF, pay increases, and pay reductions without excessive checks and balances allows the “good ole boy system” to become public law. Listed below are particular items I disagree with along with the information provided above. Reference Federal Register/Vol. 70, No. 29/Monday, February 14, 2005/Proposed Rules Page 7564, Workforce Shaping-Subpart F, Paragraph 5 (As read) Finally, the proposed regulations give greater emphasis to performance in RIF retention by placing performance ahead of length of service. (Comment) I disagree with this objective. I was involved in the last BRAC and RIF in the early 90's. I saw many people put out the gate as well as reclassified and downgraded. The only saving grace on my part, not being a veteran, was my length of service. Page 7573, E. O. 12866, Regulatory Review, Paragraph 2 (As read) pay increases based on performance rather than the passage of time, (Comment) I disagree with this objective. As an individual spends more time in his or her field his or her expertise and skills increase proportionally. I feel that it is only fair to award individuals with guaranteed increases based on the time spent in the field or trade. If a person excels in his or her field he or she should be advanced ahead of the guaranteed guidelines. Page 7583, 9901.343 Pay reduction based on unacceptable performance and/or conduct. (As read) An employee’s rate of basic pay my be reduced based on a determination of unacceptable performance and/or conduct. (Comment) I disagree with this objective. I don’t think reducing an individuals pay will be a successful tool to improve an individuals performance. This will only cause additional hardship on the individual as well as his or her family instead of providing them with the help they need to improve. We need to be providing positive initiatives to help individuals improve not negative solutions that will only increase their burdens.