NFFE Thanks Lawmakers for Bold Decision to Repeal NSPS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Randy Erwin, Legislative Director
Phone: (202) 257-0948

Washington, DC – Today, the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE) would like to thank a bipartisan group of lawmakers for their bold decision to repeal the National Security Personnel System (NSPS).  With the release of the Fiscal Year 2010 Conference Report on the Defense Authorization Act, Congress agreed to effectively dismantle NSPS by 2012. 

Additionally, Congress chose to introduce locality pay in several states and territories, and made tremendous improvements to the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS), including a provision that would compensate employees for their unused sick leave.

“This legislation has been many years in the making and could never have taken form without the continued leadership of lawmakers in both the House and Senate,” said NFFE National President William R. Dougan.  “Thanks to this leadership, employees in the Department of Defense and throughout the federal workforce will stand to gain tremendously from the dismantling of an unfair personnel system, the introduction of locality pay in certain areas, and the equitable amendments to the Federal Employee Retirement System.”

Among the legislation’s many supporters throughout Congress, Dougan recognized a select group of Senators and Representatives for their distinguished leadership. 

“First and foremost, our union would like to thank Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Carl Levin and Ranking Member John McCain as well as Chairman Ike Skelton and Ranking Member John M. McHugh of the House Armed Services Committee,” said Dougan.  “We also would like to express our gratitude to Senator Susan Collins, whose support proved to be an invaluable component in repealing NSPS.  Additionally, our union is grateful for the leadership of Senator Joseph I. Lieberman, Congresswoman Carol Shea-Porter, and Congressmen Solomon P. Ortiz, Stephen Lynch, Edolphus Towns, and Walter Jones, who made the dismantling of NSPS more of a reality every step of the way.  Then, of course, there is Senator Daniel K. Akaka, who opposed NSPS from its inception and led the way for such issues as locality pay and compensation for unused sick leave.  Senator Akaka has been a longstanding advocate for federal employees, and we thank him accordingly.  These and countless other individuals have paved the way for this truly monumental legislation.  Our union will remain forever grateful for their dedication to and recognition of federal employees.”