| Comment Number: | OL-10509012 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 12:01:45 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:
Subpart C. The only thing of substance in the NSPS proposal is the pay banding. The particulars, such as what job categories will be lumped together and what GS levels will be placed in a given pay band, will be determined later. That’s like accepting a bid on a house without knowledge of the proposal. The present administration has indicated that they consider all pay adjustments discretionary. That any cost-of-living increase that Congress might approve, will be administered to those individuals that management selects. An analysis in the late 70’s indicated that the Federal work force lagged behind the private sector by more than 25%. That gap has not been closed, at least the cost-of-living increase helps a Federal employee pay for the increases in medical insurance premiums. Subpart D. Over the years many bright and intelligent men and women have contributed to the development of the Civil Service System as we know it. Changes were reasonable and practical. Contrary to popular belief (or spin), within grade step increases are not automatic. Supervisors evaluate their employees and recommend or deny step increases. The present evaluation process allows changes to personnel evaluation items during the year. The NSPS proposal would lead one to believe that changes are not possible. The article referred to in an earlier comment, ‘Taking Charge of Federal Personnel’, is an eye-opener. It is truly sad that politicians will use tragic events to push their agenda. This is not a complete proposal that can be evaluated, nor is it an attempt to improve the Civil Service work force. This is an attempt to gut the Federal work force and transfer those functions to the States, communities, and the private sector. The present administration has an adversarial relationship with career Civil Servants. They don’t understand a commitment to improve our society through all the varied jobs we accomplish. Examples of career Civil Servants stepping in and doing what’s needed at the moment are innumerable. Often it is not the ‘shinning star’ that ‘steps up to the bat’ and the last time I checked no one had a ‘crystal ball’ that wasn’t cloudy. This system will demoralize the Federal Work Force. I don’t believe this administration will be putting a lot more money in the system to compensate employees; so many employees will receive nothing or meager pay increases that will not keep up with medical insurance premiums and all the other expenses faced by employees that must work. Furthermore, considering the cost-of-living increase as a discretionary pay adjustment, will reduce any future pension payments for the vast majority of the Civil work force (FERS and CSRS). I don’t believe this administration could have devised a better system to gut the Federal work force.