WP: Court Blocks DOD's New Personnel System

[RamboLiberal]

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/27/AR2006022701394.html

A federal judge blocked the Defense Department from implementing much of its new personnel system yesterday, handing the Bush administration a major setback in its efforts to streamline work rules and install pay-for-performance systems in federal workplaces.

In a 77-page decision, U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan ruled that the Pentagon's National Security Personnel System (NSPS) fails to ensure collective bargaining rights, does not provide an independent third-party review of labor relations decisions and would leave employees without a fair process for appealing disciplinary actions.

"Taken as a whole, the design of these regulations appears to rest on the mistaken premise that Congress intended flexibility to trump collective bargaining rights," wrote Sullivan, who noted that the new regulations "entirely eviscerate collective bargaining."

The ruling marked the second time in six months that a federal judge has stiff-armed the Bush administration in its ambitious plans to rewrite federal personnel rules to curtail the power of labor unions, more strongly tie pay raises to job performance, and make it easier to hire, promote and discipline federal employees.

[journalist3072]

1. As a federal employee....

I am extremely happy about this.

If DOD were to be permitted to do this, then many other fed agencies would follow suit.

[jsamuel]

2. don't agree with Bush in DoD? ... PAY CUT!

[EFerrari]

3. There is nothing this scum won't try. Nothing.

F#ck you, Rumsfeld.

[Judi Lynn]

4. Court Blocks DOD's New Rules for Workers

Court Blocks DOD's New Rules for Workers
Collective Bargaining Hurt, Judge Says

By Christopher Lee
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, February 28, 2006; Page A01

A federal judge blocked the Defense Department from implementing much of its new personnel system yesterday, handing the Bush administration a major setback in its efforts to streamline work rules and install pay-for-performance systems in federal workplaces.

In a 77-page decision, U.S. District Judge Emmet G. Sullivan ruled that the Pentagon's National Security Personnel System (NSPS) fails to ensure collective bargaining rights, does not provide an independent third-party review of labor relations decisions and would leave employees without a fair process for appealing disciplinary actions.

"Taken as a whole, the design of these regulations appears to rest on the mistaken premise that Congress intended flexibility to trump collective bargaining rights," wrote Sullivan, who noted that the new regulations "entirely eviscerate collective bargaining."

The ruling marked the second time in six months that a federal judge has stiff-armed the Bush administration in its ambitious plans to rewrite federal personnel rules to curtail the power of labor unions, more strongly tie pay raises to job performance, and make it easier to hire, promote and discipline federal employees
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/02/27/AR2006022701394.html?nav=rss_politics

[TaleWgnDg]

5. May George Walker Bush and his cronies suffer

the same negative consequences that they wish upon, have attempted to place upon, and have placed upon others.

.

[shanti]

6. yes!!!!

setting precedent.

[Canuckistanian]

7. Hire, promote and DISCIPLINE federal employees

This is all about whistleblowers and labor unions, folks.

[MADem]

8. Those bastards want to POLITICIZE the civil service

They want it set up so that if your "performance" (i.e. your willingness to break written, clear rules for your political appointee boss, and take the hit if it's found out) isn't up to their snuff, they can shitcan your ass and replace you with someone more malleable.

The civil servants in the Pentagon are dedicated and knowledgeable. And they have been working in a hellhole since Rummy took over...

[Erika]

9. It appears that the courts seem to value workers rights

The W administration is acting like they have seared lungs from the ruling. They can't believe American judges would actually care about the rights of American workers. How anti-American and anti-Bush to care about the employee. The lazy public employee sucks on the Federal teat and is nothing but a leech on taxpayers. Freeper off (unless they are one)

[lovuian]

10. I love Sullivan...Notice the Bush pattern destroy the Unions

and he keeps running into road blocks!!!

[rodeodance]

11. I recall the debate when DHS was established, along with the 'flexible'

issue. Bush phased it in terms of nat. security then!!!! Rummy take a hike.

[DenaliDemocrat]

12. Fucking AYE!!!

This is just another attempt at Bush to screw the Federal Employee. I don't understand it.