GovernmentExecutive.com

Return to Article: Union members rally against Defense, DHS personnel changes

• 14211
  

  I hope the comments made by Rick will make your blood boil. My mother told me to forgive people who are mentally challenged. The NSPS is designed for three things: Deplete the unions of financial funds, make people quit or get fired before vesting, and break the back of the civil service system. It may be true a cheaper younger hot shot performer may be rewarded at the expense of us more expensive (higher steps, higher annual leave and more retirement benefits we earned) but who will pick the pieces when they burn out (presumably before they are vested)? The contractors, that's who. Tell the party that brought us NSPS and tried do away with Social Security and FLSA -- oh let's not forget Operation Offset (higher taxing FERS and high five) -- that it may look for another job next election. Give it the high five!!!

  OIF Civillan Veteran Posted January 14, 2006 12:03 AM
• 11018
  

  As I walked to the gallows I wondered why I never saw them being built.

  It then occurred to me as the noose was slipped around my neck that the system that judged me was unfair.

  And as the trap door swung open and I dropped, in that fleeting second I wondered how the law ever passed that made me guilty of exercising my rights as an American worker.

  But by then it was too late. That trap door is about to swing open. Quit arguing and act - before it really is too late.

  Mark Gibson Posted July 18, 2005 7:42 AM
• 10982
  

  I am not a union member, but I do recall when I first read about the NSPS, trying to contact a Union representative to contribute funds to ensure that the collective voice of the people could be heard. I do recall the Union making radio and TV advertisements, trying to at least inform DOD workers and solicit them to contact their congressmen and women and urge them to not approve the Defense Transformation bill.

  The sad thing about all of this, is that even after NSPS became a fact, probably half of the defense workers did not know, and still do not know what is about to happen to their fair labor rights.

  Personally, I appreciate the Union at least trying to present a collective voice for DOD and DHS personnel. Gosh knows the 100,000 letters written to OPM during proposed NSPS review period have had no consideration standing on their own merit.

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 14, 2005 3:46 PM
• 10960
  

  Yes indeed, your great unions at work just for the worker, NOT.. Just a bit like closing the barn door after the horses have all booked up. Where were they when all this talk of reform started? They were probably too busy dealing with a supervisor who moved a coffee pot to another room without a hall pass, got to have your priorities i guess. I resigned as a dues paying member of AFGE exactly one year after being hired which was about six months after I realized how useless they were. The unions have outlived thier usefulness. Come on NSPS. Performance should be a number one factor instead of seniority when determining who goes first during a reduction in force. I would hate to see some hard working young folks have to go while some slug with 30 plus years continues to just hang out while marking time for retirement. Who is this boob Owens who gave up a fishing trip, the supreme sacrafice.

  Rick

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 13, 2005 3:03 PM
• 10959
  

  We union people have fought this from the start. Where were you?

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 13, 2005 1:59 PM
• 10949
  

  Sometimes I can't believe my own blindness.

  I, too, have been concerned about the impact of our financial future being tied to someone's personal whim (Performance Pay proposal). Efforts to institutionalize already rampant favoritism, under the guise of personnel streamlining, would have horrendous effects in even a non-political environment.

  Too many times I've seen THESE people deluged with the majority of work in a section and THAT fair-haired child given the pet project and subsequent accolades.

  Still I was blind to the implications of working for a political appointee or an elected official. Even now, pressure is constantly exerted to participate in the "Cause of the Day", contribute to this retirement or that charity, or volunteer for the other community activity.

  Regardless of supposed protections provided by the Hatch Act such pressures, particularly of the political nature, would only increase when personal opinions are the basis for career pay increases!

  Are we supposed to be paid for our work or for supporting our bosses' (or their bosses') favorite issue of the day?

  I support volunteering, giving blood, and charities. I also support giving 110% at the work place, but the potential for abuse under the current proposals is terrifying.

  All this will only supercharge the "Good Old Boy System" and elevate "The Peter Principle" to terrifying heights.

  Thanks for the ear.

  Tip out.

  Tip Posted July 13, 2005 8:10 AM
• 10942
  

  No one is going to care if the people "get slapped around"! Most taxpayers think they probably should get slapped around. The Union is off the mark! The point is that made by Hoyer! The pay for performance provides political appointees with the power to reward those that do as they are told even if that is wrong! The Union needs to harp on the politicalization of the civil service system with pay for performance. The problems that Rummy has with civil service workers is like the weapons of mass destruction in Iraq- they do not exist! People get paid according to merit and time on the job (that is called experience).

  The Unions need to get professional! No one cares if David Owns gave up the chance to go fishing to be here! This guy is stupid and unprofessional as a Union rep and should be replaced! If fishing is the most important thing in this guy's life he needs to go fish and stop being a Union rep.

  The Unions need to lay out specific points they object to and focus all their public comments and actions on those points. Owns distracted everyone from anything he had to say by his reference to fishing. Hoyer made a much better case for no change than did any Union member cited in this article.

  taxpayer Posted July 13, 2005 7:09 AM
• 10933
  

  The time for the Unions to complain and protest these personnel changes was BEFORE the law was passed. Where were the unions then? I hope these changes never happen, but, they will. And we who work for DoD are screwed.

  GovExec.com reader Posted July 13, 2005 6:03 AM