Project Could be Limited

By: fedweek

DHS earlier this year said it is shifting its focus to conducting a pay for performance pilot project among its intelligence related employees to start in 2008, which would effectively delay a decision regarding what to do about the personnel system beyond next year’s elections. Since then, though, the department has not announced details of how even that limited project would operate. DHS afterward announced an intention to move ahead with other elements of the program within the restrictions of the court order but that initiative remains in limbo, too, largely because implementing many parts would require bargaining with unions. Meanwhile, the House in 2008 authorization and appropriations bills for DHS has voted to repeal the program and cut off money for it; the Senate has not taken up those bills yet but the Senate version of the appropriations bill (S-1644) would cut $10 million from the $15 million the administration requested.