Letters

After reading William Rudman's diatribe dripping with vitriol, "A Wrong Turn on Employee Appeals" (February), I was struck by how little he actually understands about the organizations he so ruthlessly attacks. Mr. Rudman fails to recognize that management is at the root of the problem.

As a former union steward, I had to "defend" employees who were subjected to unnecessary and, more often, unfounded actions. What I realized as a common thread was that managers are unable to separate their personal views from workplace rules. If managers perceive that employees are "taking advantage" of a valid workplace rule, they overreact to any minor infraction.

Take the case of a 14-day suspension for an employee who used government frequent-flier miles for personal travel. The manager's logic for the suspension-the manager had warned the employee that he personally didn't like the employee's travel habits, including failure to refuel the rental car. If Mr. Rudman were to have his way, the employee would have no recourse but to accept this suspension no matter how unjustifiable. Once all the facts were presented, however, the suspension was overturned.

While a small minority may use the system as a shield, care must be taken not to throw out the baby with the bath water. If the federal government wants to be the employer of choice instead of last resort, there must be a fair and impartial method to address personnel actions. Mr. Rudman's solution is counter to these principles.

Curt Rapp

PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY

The article about Darleen Druyun, "Fallen Star" (February), was tall on kudos for the acquisition streamlining initiatives of the 1990s, but short on substance regarding the personal misuse of power. The quotes from her many admirers in the Air Force do little to diminish the distressing impropriety of self-enrichment through steering business to a megacontractor. Proficiency and success in public service does not excuse this type of behavior, and your article does little to point out the importance of the stewardship we owe taxpayers. This article is somewhat like the excuse heard in the 1930s that "Hitler made the trains run on time."

J. Kitchens
Oklahoma City