NFFE Gets Clarification on OPM Federal Pay Reform Initiative
Monday, June 1, 2009
FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Cory Bythrow,
Communications Director
Phone: (202)
255-9950
June 1,
2009
Washington,
D.C. – Last
Friday, National Federation of Federal
Employees (NFFE) National President Richard N.
Brown contacted Office of Personnel Management
(OPM) Director John Berry seeking clarification
on certain aspects of OPM’s federal pay reform
initiative.
The call came in response
to widespread speculation that the new plan,
discussed at a press availability held by
Director Berry on Wednesday, would institute
sweeping changes to the GS pay system,
including a shift to pay for performance
throughout government. NFFE adamantly
opposed attempts under the previous
administration to institute so-called “pay for
performance” plans that lacked fairness,
transparency, and
objectivity.
Berry emphasized the need
to work together to shape a new performance
appraisal system; one that makes good sense to
employees, managers and the public. In doing
so, he promised to work alongside NFFE and
other unions as the reforms take
shape.
“Director Berry assured me that this is not an attempt by OPM to repackage what we feel are ill-conceived Bush-era pay schemes,” said Brown. “Berry envisions bringing together all of the stakeholders to develop the best possible pay system for the federal workforce. While merit pay flexibility to reward high performers may be a component of a new pay system, we do not expect to see proposals that even closely resemble the so-called pay for performance plans put forward under the previous administration. He hopes to shape a new approach to performance management, not just a reward system for star performers. Everyone agrees that more needs to be done to reward high performers, and we are eager to explore these ideas with the administration. Director Berry has demonstrated a good-faith approach to this reform, which is a necessary first step to begin these discussions. We will be working with them every step of the way to make sure we get this right.”