NSPS Startup Delayed Until February

The Defense Department has delayed the first phase of its new national security personnel system, involving the labor-management provisions of that system, until February 1. The action came as part of an agreement with unions that have filed suit against the rules, arguing that they exceed DoD’s authority to change its personnel practices. As part of the arrangement, DoD agreed to start the collaboration process with unions over policy issuances needed to fill in many of the missing details of the rules, including to what extent DoD wants to restrict bargaining rights and void provisions of existing contracts—main sticking points for the unions. None of those issuances will be effective until at least February 1. The agreement also sets a series of dates for court motions in the case, although scheduling is ultimately up to the judge. DoD had not planned to start phasing in other elements of the system, including its changes in pay procedures, until early 2006 in any event.