| Comment Number: | OL-10510590 |
| Received: | 3/16/2005 10:39:28 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:
As a Federal employee of the DoD, I am extremely concerned that the Secretary of Defense has been empowered in a manner that allows the position to be an autocrat without any form of checks and balances from Congress. The imposition of the NSPS under the disguise of “in the interest of National Security” has created a system, by which, the rights of the federal employees are effectively abolished. The ability to challenge unfair and inequitable treatment has been taken away, and the union’s representation in labor issues has been diminished. Federal employees and unions have never posed a barrier in any efforts concerning national security. What does a new pay system have to do with national security? A second item of great concern is pay increases and reductions, and the impact on promotions and demotions. Under section 9901.351, Pay Administration and Performance Management, the ability to obtain a pay raise is at the complete subjective opinion and mercy of the employee’s upper management. The existing system, although not perfect, does provide for yearly increases (COLA) and future step increases that allow for economical growth and monetary rewards. What needs fixing is the ability for management to expediently hire qualified workers and fire employees that do not produce by removing the existing “red tape” and massive documentation and paperwork. The new system will promote and strengthen the “good ol’ boy network”, and in some cases, it will develop cold and tense working relationships. The implementation of the new NSPS will degrade the federal work force. The federal government is not the private sector where a profit oriented environment does allow for that type of pay scale and personnel system.