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Return to Article: Managers' groups unite in effort to influence personnel debate

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  200,000 managers? How can this gross waste of taxpayer's money be justified? That's four times the number needed for the amount of work that is necessary. It seems this group's main purpose is to protect its "club." What is needed is a good house cleaning!

  GovExec.com reader Posted April 18, 2006 1:39 PM
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  I think it is great we have someone looking out for us hard working very seldom sick FERS employees. My thoughts are that we should be able to either receive all the hours of sick leave saved in the form of cash at retirement or retire early. Come on. That's the least they could do especially after receive our whopping 1 percent of our base pay. Yeah, I know we have TSP well only if the administration doesn't screw that up with this great economy.

  Bill Posted April 13, 2006 2:23 PM
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  The four topics are great. As a supervisor over the last five years, I've been told to talk to HR, talk to this person. My small staff knows more about the federal government than I do. The supervisor training provided by trainers isn't helpful -- we get told how to talk to the person. If I haven't learned it when I was a child, why would I learn it now? Regardless, where do I sign up?

  Phil Posted April 12, 2006 11:34 PM
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  Wise One:

  Management already has a very tight union. It's called the Good Ole Boy network. They seem to have a professional obligation to cover for each other. For years, the Good Ole Boys have been covering for some of the most pathetic management practices imaginable. We're talking negligence that has probably led to people dying at various times.

  When was the last time you heard of a federal manager being brought to trial for neglecting the safety of their workers? How many managers are disciplined for stalling productivity while they shoot the breeze with their buddies? It isn't hard to tell when a manager is an idiot wasting resources. But, it seems like it's next to impossible to get rid of them.

  Management unions want more say because managers are terrified that the personnel changes may change their Good Ole Boy world into dog eat dog leaving the weak and incompetent unprotected.

  Robert M. Posted April 12, 2006 7:03 PM
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  It is about time!!! Congratulations and good luck. Back in the 90's when Gore was forming the partnership councils it was so obvious that management (not just political leadership) was not represented. As a departmental liaison to the NPR and Senior Advisor to the Deputy Secretary (COO) I made my voice and opinions heard often to no avail. Also as a member of NAPA I have consistently said that civil service reform will not happen or happen correctly until managers are represented at all tables.

  Barbara Wamsley Posted April 12, 2006 6:08 PM
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  I am glad to see this happen. Everyone needs a union. I hope that this is the start of labor unions in the management ranks.

  GovExec.com reader Posted April 12, 2006 11:52 AM
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  So how can someone get in touch with the management group, especially for those of us who are not bargaining unit and may not have the credentials to be in one of the "groups"? We could still have some valuable insight if they would be willing to listen. I would like to at least hear what they have in mind. I have more than 20 years of federal HR experience; I supervise a small staff, and would certainly entertain sharing thoughts -- even if it is a bulletin board forum such as you all have. In fact, I'm seeing a conduit here with GovExec.com -- a forum to share comments on ideas -- specifically designed for the management group. It would be a no cost federal "think tank" drawing from those in the field with hands on experience but not yet to the level of a member. It's not unlike your comment page to an article, just a specially designed think tank version. What's in it for you? You get access to the comments streamlined for the lobbying efforts. Come on GovExec.com, there's something here even if I haven't captured it or articulated it very well.

  GovExec.com reader Posted April 12, 2006 3:09 AM
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  Managers do not need more clout on the hill so to speak. They need lessons foremost in integrity, honesty and willingness to do the jobs they were hired to do; not put them off on lower paying personnel while they go home two or three days a week. The signing of leave requests would be the minimum they should be required to do, but in many cases you cannot get them to do that. Managers forget they have administrative policies to comply with; not make their own and make life miserable for their employees. The managerial systems in the government are broken and they are the ones who broke it with their arrogant, narcissistic attitude of "I can do what I want, to whom I want" The trouble is the government doesn't really care as long as they can fool the American public, but that is almost at an end. This pay for performance by Bush is a joke. These guys only want more authority to do nothing.

  Charlie Posted April 11, 2006 9:02 PM