Dear Representative:
On behalf of the AFL-CIO, I urge you to support efforts during consideration of the 2015 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 4435) to make the workforce management process more accountable to taxpayers and to ensure that the Department of Defense (DoD) continues to be a high road employer that treats its civilian workforce fairly.
The AFL-CIO urges you to support the following amendments:
- Kilmer (#73). This amendment would prohibit the furlough of any employee whose salary is charged to a working capital fund as long as work remains to be done and there are funds left in the account. Unnecessary furloughs save little money, and in many cases create costly delays in project completions.
- Ross (# 122). This amendment would prevent DoD from shutting down the commissaries on which financially-constrained military families depend for discounted groceries and household goods.
The AFL-CIO urges you to oppose the following amendment:
- Jenkins (#135). The Jenkins amendment would force DoD to use private contractors instead of civilian employees until a new cost comparison process is approved, regardless of whether the function is considered inherently governmental. The Jenkins Amendment ignores the fact that insourcing has produced considerable savings for the Department and proof that civilian employees can be much less expensive than contractors, particularly when they are used to perform ongoing functions.
Thank you for considering our views on H.R. 4435.
Sincerely,
William Samuel, Director
Government Affairs Department