Return to Article: Holiday Highs and Lows
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45199
One reason Rudi Giuliani is not the candidate is the fact that you have to replace most Government workers when they leave. Most of us do the work of 3 already that have not been replaced in the past. We work long hours for less pay than the civilian sector. The benefits and flex time is excellent but their is a need for compassion for your fellow civil servants and not refer to us as Human Capital. A better term would be Civil Soldiers. We are dedicated human beings trying to serve our country another way. We provide a great service to the country. A lot of us are veterans who served our country proudly and with dignity and are still during the same as public servants. Others are serving their country as public servants as a another way to serve other than the military. The Government has to start rethinking their priorities and think first of their dedicated civil servants instead of always over spending in these pork barrel worthless indeavors that serve no purpose for our country. Than there could be plenty of money for the military and civil servants and the deficit could vanish. Compassion for all of our dedicated Americans should be at the forefront. No matter who ends up as President their must be change all the way around the Government or we could see ourselves falling like the Roman Empire and other past world powers.
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40523
You might start by giving respect to the men and women who have spent their lifetime trying to do the legal, ethical, and right thing in carrying out the programs and actions enacted by Congress. Please refer to all of us as employess and not as "Human Capital." Then, it is time for Congress to quit slugging it out with the Administration in Power and try to find ways to share the promotion of positive actions to shape the workforce, see them as a beneficial resource, and encourage their loyalty and best performance. Fighting between the parties will only make the Federal Government more dysfunctional.
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40494
F.Bauer, the statistics say FERS takes 15% more sick leave that CSRS, yes. But then we do not have an incentive to use it any other way than for the purpose it was designed.
Not to say that all CSRS use their leave total for retirement benefit, for my lovely spouse would surely hang me out to dry, but a number do conserve their leave for monetary purposes; when the organization would be better served if they stayed home and did not get their co-workes sick.
If FERS employees had any/some incentive to conserve their sick leave, we would. The current regulations make that conservation a disincentive. If we could transfer it to needy co-workers (or spouses), that too would be a reason to conserve.
The plan, like many others, showed a lack of fore thought and consideration.
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40465
I have been working for the Federal Aviation Administration for almost 7 years. The benefits and flexible work schedules are great for a working mom. However, the Core Compensation Plan that was put into effect years ago is not equitable with the General Schedule pay scale. I was hired in with another employee doing the same job and was paid $6,000 less than the other employee. I believe that the General Schedule pay scale at least provides equitable pay for performing the same job duties and responsibilities. The Core Compensation Pay Scale has caused many concerns with our employees. All Agencies in the government should be on the same pay scale to promote equitable and consistency for all government employees.
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40339
James & Martha-I am satisfied with my benefits as well but I also see and agree with the points brought up by other contributors to these comments. Mr Cruz's comments are totally relevent and whether you agree with him or not, they should not be summarily dismissed. After all, how many times have you risked your life as Mr Cruz has in the line of duty?
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40235
Well said Mr. Cruz. This administration does not care one bit about federal employees or any other middle class worker. It focuses on the rich getting richer (war money) and breaking any union that exposes them for what they really are. There will soon be a mid-air collision because Bush has put breaking the Air Traffic controllers union above passenger safety in the skies. I retired 4 yrs early from the FAA because of pay cuts and horrible working conditions. Jan 2009 cannot come quick enough.
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40196
The best way to keep federal employee's pay and benefits from being a political football is to tie them directly to Congress' pay and benefits. You can be sure that no Congress person will mess with the federal workers pay raise or benefits if it affects their own pay and benefits. Congress always votes to increase their own pay and benefits unless of course they are running for re-election.
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40182
You forgot to mention NSPS; now there's a great motivator!
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40174
What is follow-up on the sick leave saga you commented upon on 11/8? There is no question that FERS employees under my supervision use far more sick leave than the CSRS ones, and the latter usually are older! Then, when they have a serious illness they petition for leave transfers from those of us more prudent in leave usage.
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40172
James Patrick's comments express my sentiments. Government employees are most fortunate to have the working conditions, the salaries, and the benefits that we have. Many challenges face our Congress next year - how to better Government employee benefits is not a priority. What would it take to make people appreciate what they have?
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40166
Why can't the media play a role in promoting gov't employment? More positive stories and a call to serve your country in military or civil service capacity could be a huge benefit to improved recruitment and retention. It would be nice if more individuals would take action and be part of the solution. Working for the government is frustrating on some occasions, but largely rewarding. There are sacrifices working for the government when compared to some private sector jobs and many people are not willing to make these sacrifices. Have you worked for the government? If not, why not? Should you serve and give back to your country? Why shouldn't all Americans answer these questions? The media could play a powerful role in a positive way.
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40149
NSPS needs to be fully reviewed by GAO. We just finished handing out appraisals. Conservatively, it cost between $200-300K to administer the new process for about 150 employees---guess what--we still have the same old bell curve--a few under-performers on one side, a few role models on the other and the remainder in the middle. Everyone I talk to doesn't care of the secrecy surrounding NSPS--rumor has it all members of the pay pool panel were rewarded handsomely---one individual told me his supervisor had to give him most of his reward as a bonus since one pay pool member thought he was "already making enough in salary"---however,he couldn't say what this decision was based upon--just his subjective view of the employee. NSPS is saving $$$--but I personally think any cost savings will be offset by an angry and upset workforce---a workforce that wasn't told the whole story or the true story about NSPS from day one---
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40143
I don't understand this article... I feel pretty fortunate as a federal worker with the pay and benefits I'm currently receiving. During this holiday season I will be thankful for the opportunity and not planning to stump for more in 2008. There are many greater priorities in this country of ours, and as servants of the nation, we should allow other groups to have some say in how our tax dollars are spent. Blaming the President is wrong!
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40140
I have worked for the Federal Government for 26 years. Because I am in the Fire Fighting Profession I must retire in June 2009 at age 57. But that won't happen, you see I have been notified that I will be RETIRED in June 2008 due to a Reduction In Force, just one year short of what I have worked and lived for. I am so disappointed with the Federal Government, no money for Social Security, no money for Health Benefits, no money for the Federal work force, yet it can spend 10 billion dollars a month fighting a war so that a few people can get rich or shall I say richer (we all know this war is all about Petroleum and who controls it). Why not spend only 5 billion for the war and 5 billion for those who deserve it. 5 billion a month allocated to different agencies and organization will surely help. But no lets forget the hard working people of this country and address the needs of the rich and foreigners. I wonder what our founding fathers would think to see such displacement of disregard for the people they founded this nation for.
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40138
Instead of focusing on the requirements most important to the running of the governement namely regulate the spending and providing for the common defense, the house and senate seem to be more interested in regulating what professional athletes put in their bodies and other issues not covered by the CONSTITUTION as an act of congress. We should replace them ALL with people who will focus on the peoples priorities of funding the government adn defense of our nation.
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