The Pentagon is seeking to revise the current civil service rules in order to obtain a more flexible and efficient working environment. The new proposal would put into place a pay-for-performance system, allow workers to be hired more quickly, restrict the collective bargaining power of unions, and shift military personnel out of jobs that could be performed by civilian workers. Labor union officials oppose these reforms because they feel that it leaves workers with few protections against discrimination and gives employers too much power. A committee is currently working to modify the original proposal by taking these concerns into account. This revised bill would protect employees by providing for a third-party review of labor-management disputes, and giving employees input in the new compensation system.
See Christopher Lee and Vernon Loeb, The Washington Post, June 3, 2003