Return to Article: Unions walk out of Pentagon personnel system meetings
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20603
If you need a union to keep your job, then you shouldn't have it in the first place. Ninety-nice percent get the job because daddy or someone got it for them. Yes, they work hard at the start, but once in, it's a slob's job. You want to keep getting those union heads richer, go ahead.
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10142
Poor, poor professional. It is too bad you do not understand how things work. The union gains of the 30's to the 50's can be lost in a minute. Unions need to maintain the status quo or the worker will fall back to yesterday's standards. It is guys like you that get a free ride without paying the dues the unions need to combat a reduction in benefits for workers. If you think unions hurt workers you're nuts. Unions give workers an ability to negotiate with those that have the power of capital and taxpayers who do not want to pay for what they get. Unions are simply a step in the balance of power for the various groups. If you're a pro you should see this and encourage the balance of power between taxpayer, management and worker.
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10028
Dave o Dave, you are talking about the need for unions back in the 1930's, 40's and 50's. I agree that they were needed back then because the country lacked labor laws that were fair. Today, however, unions are worthless especially in the federal government. The unions are corrupt, as they were back in the day, and do nothing for you or your union brothers. Obviously you are not too well educated to realize that so keep sending in your union dues. Progressive, professional (white collar, educated) and forward thinking employees is what we look for in government employees these days not ones that dwell on the past. Your mindset has to change as it is does with other like minded employees like you. Wake up and smell the coffee!
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9943
If I were a "Professional Government Employee (PGE)" I would keep my mouth shut prior to sticking my foot in my mouth. Talk about being uneducated the PGE must be looking in a mirror. Had that person gone through school when a person was actually taught things other then diversity, basket weaving, and other make yourself feel good stuff they would know how much Unions have done for us. Of course it could be that the PGE would not mind working 12 hours per day, for pennies per hour, with no benefits. Sure Unions have done things that were/are objectionable, but overall the Unions have done more good then evil. So PGE if you like getting stuck with the short end, keep on thinking the way you do and support this administrations actions to do away with your job, and mine by the way. It is like the old saying; with friends like you I do not need enemies. Of course you are entitled to your opinion, such as it is.
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9895
"Defense managers insist that the legislation does not require them to negotiate." This is the incompetent cry of the DoD whenever they do not want to do what is correct! If every word in not in the Congressional language the DoD cannot handle the problem correctly.
Unions should get all their members to start a letter writing campaign to their Congress people. Also, the Unions should be ready to send in thousands of comments on the specific issues when the plan is published in the Federal Register (if it is ever published).
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9840
"The union leaders offered different assessments of what future role unions would have at the Defense Department. Ault said the rules so restrict unions' role that he would have trouble recruiting members. "I wouldn't pay for something that doesn't have any value," he said. But Gibson indicated that the unions plan to fight on..." GovExec 5-17-05
Walking out of discussions; a curious method of "fighting on" as promised by Ault. Personally, all I can see is a union version of the typical two-year old's ploy to have a tantrum because they aren't getting what they want: in this case, increased union membership and continued guarantee of employment on the public dole for union leadership.
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9835
I am proud of my Union. I just wish Congress would start opening their eyes and see the crap that Rummy and Bush are trying to pull. Maybe you like going to the store for something today for $1.00 and tomorrow it is $2.50. If Congress does not shut down the BRAC and NSPS we are all going to wake up one day and none of us will have a job. We will be in a depression that will take a lifetime to overcome.
How can they proceed with this BRAC and NSPS while we are fighting two wars and their are two more waiting to start?
worker bee kc
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9817
Here they go again. The unions have negatively affected the common working man in the government. They have no credibility and the national officers pretend to be Jimmy Hoffa. Maybe all you card carrying blue collar union members should strike and then we would be rid of you forever; remember the air traffic controllers? Wake up and smell the coffee. Unions have no place in the federal government. If you want a union, become a dock worker or assembly line worker. Don't tell me that the unions got you anything, they haven't. Keep paying your dues so the national officers can fly first class. I guess since many of you lack an education you are tricked into believing that a union can help you. I pity you fools. Go down to the Teamsters union hall if you want a union.
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9816
Robert M. - What we need is something we can't, by law, have - a union like the Teamsters that will break a leg now and again to get the point across.
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9805
I see both good and bad in the NSPS system and I am not sure if I am in favor of it or not. (The Good) Paybanding and pay for performance has worked well in the NAF system. The key is to have solid HR/EMR staff watching for the inequity of pay and being empowered with the ability to monitor managment decisions. Workers still have the right to due process in disciplinary procedures, but poor performers have to step up to the plate or be gone sooner. Management is tired of dealing with those who do just enough to get by -- maybe pay for performance would motivate some to get more productive which could result in less outsourcing. Private sector has paid for performance for ever and it does work. The Bad I see is dealing with "the good ole boy network" and getting unscrupulous managers out of the system also...so Unions don't have to worry about bad business practices and unfair appraisals.
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9797
I have to wonder whether the Unions are concerned about the rights of federal employees or just worried that they will be visibly cut off and the membership numbers will plunge. That haven't exactly been there for Union members in their times of need. All they seem to do is collect dues and hobnob with politicians.
I suggest that their biggest worry is that federal workers won't notice the difference and will opt out. The safety problems, harrassment and denial of due process of law by corrupted federal agencies never seemed to get the attention Union leaders. So, what is there to lose? I still think that federal employees need a new union.
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9789
I stand corrected: See Web site below and you will find the Government does intend to continue NSPS and BRAC simultaneously.
http://www.cpms.osd.mil/nsps/faq.html#brac1
BASE REALIGNMENT AND CLOSURE What impact does BRAC have on the implementation of NSPS, particularly those activities in Spiral One?
BRAC will not affect the Department's overall plans to implement NSPS. NSPS, like BRAC, is critical to the Department's transformation and the Department will not delay its implementation as a result of BRAC. No activity on the BRAC list will automatically be excluded from Sprial One. Components will assess whether inclusion of a BRAC site in Spiral One is appropriate, considering such factors as the anticipated time frame for the closure/reaslignment and impact on the mission and the workforce.
Gil in Texas
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9786
Well, good for them for walking out, I guess when the crap starts rolling downhill and you know it, it's time to walk out, but do any of you think that will make a difference? I don't, just like the FAA, DOD will just keep plowing forward unless Congress steps in.
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9783
As a recently retired federal employee, and one who worked the past two years under the AcqDemo program, I can tell you that within my command the so called "pay for performance" was a sham and just another tool for wrong thinking management to reward themselves rather than the workers. Performance Assessments were more subjective than under the "grade and step" system. I find it interesting that the dismantling of the civil service system was originally proposed by the current administration under the "Freedom to Manage" bill, but when it became obvious that congress would not pass it, the initiatives in that billed were more or less shelved until a more propituous moment. That moment arrived tragically on September 11, 2001. The current administration has wrapped its "Freedom to Manage" assualt on federal employees in the packaging of being essential to preserve national security and the "war on terrorism." The present administration has long held contempt for those who truly serve our nation, and they intend to destroy an unsung national resource - our federal civilian employees.
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9781
I just cannot understand why Secretary Rumsfeld is so adamant about NSPS when it has so many issues that no one can finalize! He thinks the new system will be more effective, but he is wrong! I work in a military system where I work with new leadership every two years! Because of all the change we have good years and some that are very challenging because we don't see eye to eye with new leadership! I just cannot believe that the Defense Department would want a system that could see us go out the front door of the agency when leadership does not liket he way you say hello in the morning and alot of folks worry about that!!!!!!! I can only hope that someone will make the Defense Department step up and do the right thing, I just don't get it!!!!! If they think folks are not doing their jobs properly then take the proper steps to take care of it, not put all of us in harms way!!!!!!! Alot of frustration, will keep my folks crossed that someone wakes up and does the right thing by not going with NSPS!
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9780
AFGE didn't walk out...not surprising! Wimps! No wonder my office was A-76'd! It's good to know there are REAL unions that are not in managements' hip pockets!
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9779
I remember during the last BRAC we were told to not submit SF-50 actions because the personnel office was overwhelmed with RIFing and relocating BRAC personnel. We are supposed to go under NSPS this summer (July). I can't see how the Government can conduct a BRAC and implement NSPS at the same time. No one has even been trained on NSPS and BRAC is right around the corner. Who in the Government can answer the BIG question? "Do they plan to RIF, relocate and furlough BRAC personnel under the current personnel system and the use a different personnel system (NSPS) to complete the BRAC initiative?" This would be extremely unfair because retention rights are totally different under the two personnel systems. I think the Government has really made a big mistake trying to juggle two many balls at one time. We the Government employee will suffer for their incompetence. They created this mess and they should have the answers. Most of the unions have "walked-out" of the meet and confer sessions.
Gil in TEXAS
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9778
Wow- Unions always run the risk of being considered management stooges by their own internal constituency. I guess the leaders of these Unions have sent a clear message to the Department and to their own members. It's time for AFGE and the others to respect the decision and not cross the line.
It is very interesting the quote, "Defense secretary to implement "issuances" that could override collective bargaining agreements."
This disrupts the entire labor management program that was the balance established in 1978 and which in part cost PATCO its entire existence and all the air traffic controller jobs in 1981.
I would caution DoD not to continue down this road and to respect the Statutory balance crafted under the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. The Canadians and Europeans don't have as balanced a program and we see what happens in our friends up North and across the Atlantic when federal management and federal labor are at odds. We can ill afford this silliness at this time of national turmoil and war.
If it isn't broken- stop trying to fix it. There is nothing in the current LMR program that interferes with National Security. However, the NSPS certainly does weaken the Department's Civil Service protections and in my opinion, dangerously impacts our National Security. By beefing up management rights at the expense of the workforce, and seriously limiting collective bargaining-- DoD is overturning a 27 year program that has served this nation well. And this administration has too much hubris to ever admit it is making a serious mistake--
Oh well, I look forward to the next Civil Service Reform Act in about ten years that attempts to rebalance the government after these folks have burned down the whole ediface.
HR Specialist
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