| Comment Number: | OL-10509458 |
| Received: | 3/15/2005 3:30:56 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:
My comments are general in nature: All the reasons the government has used to justify this earthmoving change to the Civil Service System are mostly molehills from which they have succeeded to make mountains. In every instance, there are proceedures and processes to address the alleged shortfalls. From hiring to retention, the current civil service system has evolved to address personnel issues as they have arisen. Highly qualified applicants can start at higher than statutory grades, get rapid promotions and paid-for Master's degrees. Troublesome employees have been demoted, or fired. Everything the new system purports to "fix" is currently addressable through current regulations and statutes. The only item the new system brings forth is putting the supervisor in an even more powerful position to determine the future of his workers. Unfortunately, with even more potential for abuse, a supervisor can make a subordinate's work situation pleasant or a hell. This runs the gamut from ratings to job assignments. Ratings are pretty much based on personality anyway. So if you get along with your supervisor, under this system you'll do well, better than the old system. These are, no doubt, the people who support this. If you don't get along with your supervisor, you will do considerably less well under this system. The unions understand this and so do the rest of the workforce. Ironically, the system really doesn't need to be replaced. It appears there are a bunch of angry republicans in charge just itching to reverse generations of labor-management relations, pretty much because they can (paraphasing Pres. Clinton). Can anyone remember Devine, under the Reagan admistration? This is doubly ironic as it was this President's father who instituted one of the most beneficial additions to the civil service system: locality pay. It would be a shame if the Bush II civil service legacy completely negates the amicable Bush I legacy.