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Administration calls language gutting Pentagon pay system 'premature'

By Amelia Gruber agruber@govexec.com June 24, 2009

The Obama administration on Wednesday said it opposes a legislative provision that would force the Pentagon either to demonstrate that its pay-for-performance system could be reformed or to prepare to dismantle it within one year.

In a statement of administration policy, the White House said the language, passed by the House Armed Services Committee last week as an amendment to the fiscal 2010 Defense authorization bill, was premature given that the National Security Personnel System already is under review by a three-member task force. "This review will produce findings and recommendations that will help [the Defense Department and the Office of Personnel Management], working with the Congress, make informed decisions about the future of the program," the administration said.

The Pentagon in March stopped moving new job titles under the NSPS umbrella pending the results of the assessment, which is expected to wrap up in late August or early September. But the amendment would go a step further by blocking Defense from hiring people after June 16 for positions already classified as part of NSPS. This is of particular concern, the White House said, because it "will cause significant, undue disruption to organizations currently operating under NSPS."

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It could delay efforts to fill thousands of positions and hinder plans to move tens of thousands of jobs back in house, the administration stated.

The Obama team also took issue with similar provisions covering the Defense Civilian Intelligence Personnel System, arguing the language would "prevent the intelligence community from transforming itself into a single enterprise that can recruit and retain a competitive workforce to meet our national security needs."

Union officials said they were disappointed by the administration's lack of support for the language, offered by Rep. Carol Shea-Porter, D-N.H.

Randy Erwin, legislative director of the National Federation of Federal Employees, said the provisions already show restraint pending the results of the review, because they simply would prevent the system from expanding, rather than repealing it outright.

"Given what a disaster NSPS has been, there is no reason to continue hiring people under NSPS when there is a real possibility that we will have to spend more time and money converting them out of the program if the personnel system is repealed," Erwin said.

In a statement introducing the amendment, Shea-Porter said it was intended to ensure Congress could address the results of the review expediently: "Without this language, we would not be able to act until fiscal 2011 and the serious problems would linger unresolved for yet another long year. Our dedicated federal workers deserve better than that."

Alyssa Rosenberg contributed to this report.

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COMMENTS

  • In the words of Reagan, "Well, here we go again". I think it is time to hold their feet to the fire. I can't tell the Democrats from the Republicans. Their all in the same bed together. Alinda Faye Posted July 5, 2009 9:42 PM
  • Dear Senator or Represenative, I am writing to urge you to follow the example of the House of Representatives and support repeal of the statutory authority for the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) in the Senate version of the Defense Authorization Bill. For almost six years, the Bush Administration has systematically eroded the civil service protections and collective bargaining rights of federal employees. This profound erosion of rights has occurred despite overwhelming evidence that government employees are not deterred from fulfilling their mission to protect and defend our country by their civil service protections, union membership or their collective bargaining rights. There is no better example of the indefensible and misguided erosion of federal employee rights than the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). NSPS has been found by lawmakers and the courts alike to be inconsistent with the wishes and intent of Congress, the principles of fairness, transparency and accountability and the goal of attracting and retaining a professional federal workforce. In short, there is a growing consensus that NSPS undermines the vital mission of the Department of Defense thereby placing our national security and democracy at risk. There was not nor is there any need now for the NSPS. Civilian defense employees have never let their rights at work interfere with the expeditious fulfillment of their mission. I urge you to honor the work of civilian defense employees while insuring that we maintain a strong national defense by supporting the repeal of the statutory authority for the National Security Personnel System in the Senate version of the Defense Authorization Bill. Sincerely, DOD DOD Posted June 30, 2009 3:04 PM
  • I have been under NSPS for almost 2 years and in my area I can tell you it is a failure. The main one is lack of integrity in the chain of command. In over 20 years, every evaluation I have ever had were either outstanding or far exceeds standards. A year ago I used the chain of command to report use of government assets and personnel in a private business operation (making a profit of over $20,000). At the same time there were serious security violations that were covered up (actually "handled in house"). I deployed several times and received multiple letters of appreciation and commendation. I also saved between $10-12k in travel expenses during these deployments. For the first time in my career, I was rated as just meeting standards and given 1 share. Basically it was a pay cut for me while those who supported the private business operations were awarded 4's with 3+ shares. I have now successfully escaped the bonds of NSPS and will be moving back to a GS position! If possible, I will be joining a union to fight NSPS ASAP. NSPS No More Posted June 26, 2009 9:17 AM
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