| Comment Number: | OL-10509250 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 1:59:08 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 a DOD civilian worker and AFL-CIO member. I am very dismayed as to how the Bush Administration has proposed to implement the NSPS. I do feel that some changes should be made to our current HR system but when legislation, approved by Congress, gave the Secretary of Defense the sole authority to create a new personnel system, I was very concerned that this would allow manipulation of the rights of the civilian worker. By unilaterally creating the new NSPS, I feel that a lot of my current civilian rights will be removed or limited to what rights I will have as it relates to worker seniority, work and pay performance and employee grievance and arbitration rights. I do believe that we should be one team but I also believe that taking away team players rights is not the definition of what a team consist of especially when there are discrepancy amongst the team players. I believe the civilian workforce is dedicated to supporting the military force in every way possible but to be considered as military personnel is unfair. I believe the new proposed NSPS is geared towards this idea. I do believe in the protection of our country against terrorist threats and I feel that all American citizens can contribute in various ways to support the war on terror. It appears that whenever a perceived change should occur, the reason behind the change is due to "National Security". I believe that some things and not other things directly affect National Security. The things that have a direct impact on the American people should be addressed. For example, airport security, boarder patrols and all commercial transportation vessels just to name a few. However, modifying the personnel system as proposed, I do not believe this will solve, to a great extent, our primary national security issues. I feel that the proposed NSPS is an attack on our civilian workforce and our labor unions. I believe with the help, recommendations and assistance of the our political officials and our labor unions, alternatives to satisfy the need for a new personnel system and keep the civilian workers motivated to continue to work for world peace, can be achieved. Without giving serious consideration to the rights of the people who will be severely impacted and forcing major unwanted changes that the civilian workforce do not feel are beneficial, could be more disastrous to our country than an outside terrorist attack.