| Comment Number: | OL-10512028 |
| Received: | 3/16/2005 8:04:50 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:
The title of the legislation, National Security Personnel System, implies that this legislation will somehow enhance our Nation's security. For the vast majority of loyal Federal civil servants, this law has the potential to undermine the security of their job setting, thus reducing their effectiveness. The statement was proposed that the current system is over 50 years old and that it needs to be revamped. Under this thinking, our Constitution is 4 times older and is--therefore--much more in need of revision. Federal civil servants, in general, feel safe within the umbrella of protections offered under the current system. Although there are Federal laws which are meant to protect workers in the private sector, Federal employees perceive that they are especially protected from capricious management decisions, violations of discrimination under suspect categories, political affiliations, and office lobbying and favoritism, etc.. The current sentiment is that if I do my job correctly I will be rewarded accordingly in a non-hostile atmosphere. Unfortunately, there exist--under the current system--abuses with regard to favoritism in assignment of duties, promotions, travel and training opportunities. However, the underpinnings of this system--especially the GS scale of pay rates and a blind merit system of posting vacancy announcements, ranking candidates, interviewing, and hiring offers guarantees of fairness to all. In true urgent matters of security, special latitude can be granted to speed up the hiring of qualified candidates with unique skills. The effect of the current legislation will be to demoralize civil servants by forcing them to concentrate on pleasing managers, embellishing their performance reports, and intra-office lobbying instead of attending to the mission at hand. The NSPS will also create a proverbial rat's nest of grievances and challenges with regard to personnel actions. On the other hand, the current system offers viable avenues of reprimanding and disciplining civil servants. This is not a propitious time to experiment with sweeping changes in the Federal system. Instead of fulfilling its stated goal of making government run smoother, NSPS offers the potential of bringing the wheels of government to a halt. Although NSPS promises to streamline and modernize the Federal personnel system, it offers opportunities for a myriad of abuse and controversy. Veronica Reinosa, ACEA Ramey Local President