Comment Number: OL-10511772
Received: 3/16/2005 5:16:28 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 writing to you because of my concern about the so-called National Security Personnel System (NSPS) scheduled for implementation for more than 700,000 employees of the Department of Defense over the next year. By my understanding there has been various government agencies that has been testing performance pay systems for more than 20 years and invariably, the results have been the majority of workers feel cheated when advancement, promotion and pay decisions are given over the sole discretion of a supervisor. The process typically reduces salaries and morale. It is too autocratic and eliminates any redress for decisions made on the basis of considerations other than merit. I have been a civilian worker for over 30 years and have worked hard to get were I'm at. I have been decicated, dependable thru all of the unfairness even in this current civilian human resources system. Now you are talking about turning things completely on the personal judgment of his or her manager. This system will force workers to compete with one another for pay raises, which will destroy teamwork,increase conflict among employees, and reward short-term outcomes. There is no guarantee that even the best workers will receive a pay raise or that the pay offered will be fair or competitive. This system will create a situation in which workers are in conflict with one anothe and afraid to speak out about harassment, violations of the law, and workplace safety problems. Furhtermore there will be no impartial appeal system to assure that everyone is treated fairly. I know about the unfairness that goes on these jobs, because I have been in this situation before and the system that we have now helps to stop some of this unfairness. I believe the proposed NSPS regulations will undermine the civil service and hurt the ability of Defense Department employees to accomplish the agency's mission. This is no way to treat those who play a critical role in defending our nation. Soldiers are fighting and dying in Iraq in an attempt to bring democracy and more rights to Iraqis. Meanwhile, here at home, an attempt to strip the working families who provide support for these soldiers of their rights to a living wage and representation is taking place in this proposed rule. This is anti-democracy. It's almost like have a communist government. America is at war. We are fighting for democracry abroad. But the regulations are and attack on workers basic rights. Furthermore NSPS will divert the attention of defense workers from the soldiers welfare to protecting themselves from abuse on the job. I urge you to force DoD to rething this proposal. We need work rules that perserve fairness, serve the American people, and respect the rights of Defense Department workers.