GATES COMMITTED TO NSPS

Source: Fednews-online

A change in leadership at the Department of Defense will not lead to a departure from DoD’s migration to a new personnel system.

Testimony released last week from recently-confirmed Defense Secretary Robert Gates reveals his stance on the contentious National Security Personnel System. (See SENATE APPROVES GATES at http://www.fednews-online.com/?publicationId=9830.)

“Reforming civil service rules to make our civilian workforce more adaptable, flexible and agile is critical to the future of the Department. I believe NSPS is integral to the Department’s Human Capital Strategy of developing the right mix of people and skills across the Total Force. If confirmed, I will review the NSPS program to see if any further changes are required,” wrote Gates.

Gates’ response was directed at question from Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, that concerned whether the ongoing lawsuit over the pay-for-performance system would affect its implementation.

Representatives from DoD and a coalition of unions were in court Monday appealing a February ruling that halted implementation of the NSPS’s adverse actions, appeals and labor-management relations subparts. (See NSPS APPEAL BEGINS TODAY at http://www.fednews-online.com/?publicationId=9832.)

NSPS is a performance-based human capital system that would affect approximately 700,000 DoD civilian employees’ pay and classification, performance management, hiring, workforce shaping, disciplinary matters, appeals procedures and labor-management relations.

Implemented in “Spirals”, at least 11,000 DoD civilian employees are currently covered by the System. Spiral 1.2 will bring an additional 66,500 employees into the system by the end of next month.