House Takes Strong Stand Against NSPS

(National Federation of Federal Employees)

By a vote of 389-22, yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelming passed H.R. 2647, the 2010 Defense Authorization Act, containing an amendment that could spell the beginning of the end for the National Security Personnel System (NSPS).

The amendment, introduced by Rep. Carol Shea-Porter (D-NH) would restore the full annual pay adjustment for all Defense employees, prohibit new hires from being placed under NSPS, prohibit reclassification of employees under NSPS, and convert all NSPS employees back to the General Schedule (GS) within a year, should the Defense Business Board Task Force on NSPS’ review come back poorly.

News of the bill’s passage happened to come on the same day that the Task Force on NSPS held its first public meeting, at which the board heard from key officials in government and labor, including NFFE National President Richard N. Brown.

In his oral testimony, Brown minced no words in explaining the union’s position on NSPS:

“Defense workers have already made up their minds on NSPS; they want it gone once and for all,” said Brown. “I believe that NSPS is unsalvageable, and the best possible course of action is full repeal.”

Should the Task Force come to agree with the harsh criticisms that emerged in yesterday’s meetings and Rep. Shea-Porter’s amendment make its way into the final Defense Authorization bill, NSPS could soon become a thing of the past.