| Comment Number: | OL-10507300 |
| Received: | 3/14/2005 10:03:28 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:
NSPS Comments Pay Bands: Regarding pay bands, how many bands are there going to be? Will there be any structure to these bands that could be put on a chart? Will there be the equivalent of special rate employees any longer or will there only be one rate for everyone? Or, will there be several different levels of rates? Cost of Living Increases: How will raises be determined on outstanding performance? Will there be a different percentage raise depending on what Congress and the President decide? Collective Bargaining in "Myths and Facts" The answer made to the question “Will NSPS do away with bargaining units and employee unions?” goes on to say “The proposed rules enable to the Department to act expeditiously in carrying out its mission by limiting the situations that are subject to bargaining” sounds like it may not do away with bargaining units but will do away with areas the bargaining units may influence and thus diminish the rights of the units. Freeing Up the Military: The proposed program states the NSPS will provide “flexibilities so we can reduce our reliance on the military to perform jobs that civilians can and should perform, freeing up the military to perform its war fighting duties.” Does this mean there will be a greater likelihood that I, as a civilian employee, will be sent off to a war zone because there will be more demand on the civilian workforce in those areas? Frequency of Rate Range Adjustments: How often will the rate range increases occur? The adjustment is only described as “periodic”. Definition of Unacceptable Performance: Is an unacceptable performer one who is failing to meet his standards on the present system or just one that is satisfactory on the current standards? Appeals Process for Adverse Actions: The due process for appeals is supposed to be sped up under NSPS but it does not explain how the process can be sped up. It sets limits on the number of days but if there are several cases, how will those limits be met? Limiting the number of days for responses further adversely affects an employee trying to defend himself and gives him even less of a chance of being successful.