Unions oppose ‘draft’ of federal workers to Iraq (outrage)

[donsu]

http://federaltimes.com/index.php?S=2412021


The Iraq Study Group’s recommendation that the Bush administration consider ordering government civilians to Iraq has drawn outrage from federal employees’ unions.

Civilian agencies have been seeking volunteers to assist with efforts in Iraq. But the report states that the potential danger of the assignment means few qualified candidates have taken the offer.

Therefore: “In the short term, if not enough civilians volunteer to fill key positions in Iraq, civilian agencies must fill those positions with directed assignments,” the report says. “Steps should be taken to mitigate familial or financial hardships posed by directed assignments, including tax exclusions similar to those authorized for U.S. military personnel serving in Iraq.”

Created to advise Congress, the study group has no formal power. It is not clear what chance the group’s recommendations have of adoption. But American Federation of Government Employees President John Gage said that while his organization needs more information, “we are alarmed at the idea of directed reassignments of civilian agency employees to a military war zone.”

-snip-

Rep. Danny Davis, D-Ill., in line to chair the House Government Reform subcommittee on the federal work force, called the study group’s recommendation “a good idea.” More civilians in Iraq could help achieve the stability needed for an overall U.S. withdrawal, Davis said.
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maybe Danny boy shouldn't chair the House Government Reform subcommittee

in the -snip- it said the 'draft' would be 'voluntary' hunh?!

[Kagemusha]

1. More like, volunteer or some shall be volunteered

And people thought this was SUCH a good idea when it involved young people.

[donsu]

2. kicking back to pg. one

this outrage would effect many people