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This file contains:
Speech by Senator Frank Carlson, AMKO Convention of National Association of Retired Civil Employees. 26 pgs. [Report], 10/17/1967
Letter from J.F. Griner to Nixon Key Issues Committee ATTN: Mr. Rein regarding problems invovling federal civil service employees. 10 pgs including attachments. [Letter], 9/10/1968
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) statement before the Republican Convention Platform Committee. 5 pgs and a business card. [Report], n.d.
Draft statement by Richard Nixon on federal personnel policies. 3 pgs. [Report], n.d.
Draft by RN on federal personnel policies. 4 pgs. [Report], n.d.
"Complete Text of Nixon Statement Dealing with Employee Policies" in the Evening Star. 1 pg. Not scanned. [Newspaper], 9/27/1968
Statement by Richard Nixon on the Federal Personnel Policies of the Nixon Administration. 4 pgs. [Report], 9/24/1968
Federation News Service United Federation of Postal Clerks. Bulletin No. 24. 2 pgs. [Newsletter], 10/3/1968
Draft speech with handwritten notes. 6 pgs. [Memo], 9/23/1968
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26126401
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WHSF: Returned, 17-6
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doc
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document
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1
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26126401
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document
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WHSF: Returned, 17-6
description
This file contains:
Speech by Senator Frank Carlson, AMKO Convention of National Association of Retired Civil Employees. 26 pgs. [Report], 10/17/1967
Letter from J.F. Griner to Nixon Key Issues Committee ATTN: Mr. Rein regarding problems invovling federal civil service employees. 10 pgs including attachments. [Letter], 9/10/1968
American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) statement before the Republican Convention Platform Committee. 5 pgs and a business card. [Report], n.d.
Draft statement by Richard Nixon on federal personnel policies. 3 pgs. [Report], n.d.
Draft by RN on federal personnel policies. 4 pgs. [Report], n.d.
"Complete Text of Nixon Statement Dealing with Employee Policies" in the Evening Star. 1 pg. Not scanned. [Newspaper], 9/27/1968
Statement by Richard Nixon on the Federal Personnel Policies of the Nixon Administration. 4 pgs. [Report], 9/24/1968
Federation News Service United Federation of Postal Clerks. Bulletin No. 24. 2 pgs. [Newsletter], 10/3/1968
Draft speech with handwritten notes. 6 pgs. [Memo], 9/23/1968
citationUrl
collections
Richard M. Nixon's Returned Materials Collection
Returned White House Special Files
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Richard Nixon Presidential Library
White House Special Files Collection
Folder List
Box Number Folder Number Document Date
Document Type
Document Description
17
6
10/17/1967
Report
Speech by Senator Frank Carlson, AMKO
Convention of National Association of
Retired Civil Employees. 26 pgs.
17
6
09/10/1968
Letter
Letter from J.F. Griner to Nixon Key Issues
Committee ATTN: Mr. Rein regarding
problems invovling federal civil service
employees. 10 pgs including attachments.
17
6
n.d.
Report
American Federation of Government
Employees (AFGE) statement before the
Republican Convention Platform Committee.
5 pgs and a business card.
17
6
n.d.
Report
Draft statement by Richard Nixon on federal
personnel policies. 3 pgs.
17
6
n.d.
Report
Draft by RN on federal personnel policies. 4
pgs.
17
6
09/27/1968
Newspaper
"Complete Text of Nixon Statement Dealing
with Employee Policies" in the Evening Star.
1 pg. Not scanned.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Page 1 of 2
Box Number Folder Number Document Date
Document Type
Document Description
17
6
09/24/1968
Report
Statement by Richard Nixon on the Federal
Personnel Policies of the Nixon
Administration. 4 pgs.
17
6
10/03/1968
Newsletter
Federation News Service United Federation
of Postal Clerks. Bulletin No. 24. 2 pgs.
17
6
09/23/1968
Memo
Draft speech with handwritten notes. 6 pgs.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Page 2 of 2
Speech by Senator Frank Carlson
AMKO Convention of National
Association of Retired Civil Employees
Pittsburg, Kansas - October 17, 1967
It is a double pleasure for me to be with you
this evening.
First, because of my deep pride in the 20
million senior citizens of America. This nation could not
have achieved its present greatness without your efforts --
our country owes you much.
Second, as one who has a natural bias
regarding the importance of good government to American
life, I believe the special contribution you have made in
government service has been most important.
My own work affords a special
-2-
opportunity to understand and appreciate what civil
service employees have done. You often worked under
difficult and trying conditions, Rarely has full
recognition been given to the work you have done. I
want to express my personal thanks now.
I believe, however, that older
Americans deserve more than lip service. Our nation's
gratitude should take the form of tangible responses to
the problems older people encounter and with which they
need help.
As a member of the Post Office and
Civil Service Committee, the Special Committee on Aging,
and the Finance Committee, with its responsibility for
-3-
social security, I have been pleased by the desire of
most members of the Senate to meet these honorable
obligations.
A review of the past 25 to 30 years
shows great progress.
These years have seen development
of social security - encouragement and growth of private
pension plans - refinements in the civil service
retirement system - and a host of other programs to
benefit older persons.
Because I had the privilege of playing
some part in these advances, there is a temptation to
-4-
look back and reflect upon them. However, much still
remains to be done. We must all look ahead.
For this reason, I shall concentrate
this evening, not on past accomplishments, but on what
remains undone -- on problems which still require
solutions.
Most serious of these problems are
those related to income.
Given adequate income, most older
Americans are fully capable of living satisfying,
independent and productive lives with dignity and honor.
Denied adequate income, senior citizens face a multitude
of severe problems.
-5-
While I emphasize the importance of
income, I also recognize the need for other action on
behalf of older people. It gave me great pleasure, for
example, to support the Older Americans Act of 1965,
designed to help provide community services at all social
and economic levels. Special services for the sick and
infirm, including sheltered care, are also important.
For the greatest number, however, the
chief problem is adequate income.
The greatest threat to the income of older
Americans in recent years -- and an even greater threat
today -- is inflation.
-6-
Millions of retirees, including tens
of thousands of retired Federal employees and their
widows, have been victimized by losses in the dollar's
purchasing power.
Inflation is a harsh enemy of the little
fellow.
It hits the farmer, who sees the price
of wheat falling while farm machinery prices go up, up.
up. It hurts the merchant, who depends on the farmer
for his business.
It strikes the small manufacturer, who
is caught in a constantly tighter cost-price squeeze, and
-7-
the worker in the factory. It takes from the teacher and
the preacher.
Hardly anyone but the very rich escapes
its shotgun effect.
Even persons with automatic cost-of-
living adjustments built into their income contracts
suffer because of the lag in such corrections.
Most of all, inflation hurts older
Americans. Those who must live on fixed incomes face
an almost impossible task of catching up and keeping up.
The primary reasons for inflation are
found in the fiscal policies of the Federal government.
-8-
It is most appropriate, therefore, to
describe inflation as a hidden tax -- and it is a tax
which strikes most viciously at those least able to
defend themselves.
I shall not labor the point with a
statistical review of how much the dollar has fallen in
value. You and I know it too well from our own experience
in the market place. You and I know it is real. You and
I know it is getting worse each year. If we tend to forget
it for a minute, our wives will remind us.
Economists cite many indications that
our nation is in danger of even more massive inflation
-9-
in the near future.
As you know, Washington is now
engaged in a heated dialogue as to the best way of
fighting further acceleration of the inflationary spiral.
This dialogue centers on the argument
over raising taxes versus cutting government
expenditures.
Most economists agree that one
technique for combatting inflation is through reduction
in demand -- the amount of money being spent in the
market.
Some in Washington believe this cut in
spending should be forced upon the people through higher
-10-
taxes -- higher taxes which will reduce the amount of
money in the individual citizen's pocket.
Others of us believe this reduction
should come first through cuts in unnecessary,
unproductive and wasteful extravagances by the Federal
government.
As most of you know, I am in complete
agreement with this philosophy. Perhaps some of you
are already aware of my remarks in the Senate concerning
one proposed extravagance so absurd that I cannot
imagine any Senator voting for it -- that political campaigns
should be financed by you -- the taxpayers. As I have
-11-
stated before, I am firmly opposed to such an unnecessary
and wasteful spending program.
As a member of the Senate Committee
on Aging since its creation in 1961, I have had
opportunity to join with other Minority members in
repeatedly pointing to the seriousness of inflation and
urging corrective action.
In the 1966 Committee Minority Report,
we said: "the purchasing power of a 72-year-old person
with a fixed income has been reduced by $330 a year
since 1957-59. #
We pointed out then that a "two percent
annual increase in living costs would produce a purchasing
-12-
power loss to older Americans by 1971 in excess of
$3. 5 billion a year. " Every indication now is that this
loss will be much greater.
Because social security serves most
of the elderly, the Committee on Aging Minority
Report devoted 8 of its 15 recommendations this year to
improvements in the old age, survivors and disability
insurance system. They included a call for higher
higher minimum benefits, across-the-board increases,
fairer treatment of widows and automatic cost-of-living
increases.
At least some of our recommendations,
-13-
including those which I did not mention, will probably
be part of the 1967 Social Security Amendments now
before the Finance Committee. I regret that more will
not be done.
Because many of you are veterans, and
have a concern for your former brothers in arms, I
know you will also be interested in current efforts to
give fair pension treatment to older veterans and their
survivors.
Hearings by the Committee on Aging
showed that, in some cases, veterans actually lose
money because of increases in social security and other
pension programs such as your own.
-14-
I have joined in sponsorship of legislation
to correct this and to make other improvements in
veteran pensions. We anticipate committee hearings
in this area will begin shortly after adoption of the
social security amendments.
Another item of interest to you is
improvement in Federal income tax treatment of
retirement income. At this point it is difficult to know
whether we will succeed in liberalizing provisions in
the 1967 Social Security Amendments as passed by the
House, but our efforts on this score in behalf of older
Americans will continue.
-15-
One Republican recommendation
omitted from the social security bill as passed by
the House of Representatives is the one calling for
automatic cost-of-living increases in benefits. You
may be sure that a serious effort will be made by us
to obtain favorable action by the Senate.
I am proud of my party for giving
leadership to these automatic increases. I will give it
the same support that I gave a similar provision in
civil service annuities.
Since no increase in social security
tax rates would be necessary to finance cost-of-living
increases, we have great difficulty in understanding why
-16-
all have not joined our party in this effort at equitable
treatment of social security beneficiaries. They
deserve no less.
That such automatic increases would
tend to take social security out of partisan politics,
can only be described as an additional argument in its
favor.
Even with built-in-cost-of-living
increases for retirees, however, we have provided
only part of the answer to inflation. The real solution
lies in its control through sound approaches to the
Federal budget.
Until our government, whose fiscal
-17-
policies are a chief cause of inflation, faces up to
its responsibility for a sound dollar, tens of millions
of Americans -- young and old -- will be victimized
by this hidden tax.
We cannot continue -- in war and in
peace, in bad times and in good -- to pursue policies
calling for unreasonable deficits and a ballooning
national debt.
I have talked with you so far this
evening on a broad plain -- because I know you first
as good citizens. Before I close, however, I would
like to touch on certain aspects of the Federal scene
of special interest to you as retired civil employees --
-18-
and I think it is important that recognition be given to
the fact that the government has responsibility to its
employees both as a government and as an employer.
At the outset, you deserve compliments
on the fine job being done by your Washington office
as champions of all retired Federal employees.
Your national president, Clarence M.
Tarr, and first vice-president, Luther L. Miller,
who is with us this evening, both deserve special
recognition. They, your other officers, and their staff
have given excellent representation in the Nation's Capitol.
When I have needed quick answers to
-19-
questions during my efforts on your behalf, I have
found them cooperative and efficient. They have been
a worthy extension of the leadership found in your local
chapters and your federations. Your testimony
before Congressional committees has been lucid and
forceful.
One thing that has always impressed
me about the National Association of Retired Civil
Employees and its components has been your interest in
fair treatment of all.
Your organization has always tried to
serve the large bulk of Federal retirees. It has never
-20-
failed to fight just as hard, however, when only a small
number need help.
Your association's present eight point
program underscores this fact.
As you know, four of these eight points
aim at correcting deficiencies and inequities relating
to survivor benefits under the civil service retirement
system.
One very serious inequity relates to
deductions from basic annuities made for survivor
benefits. Another is the difference in survivor benefits
payable because of such deductions.
-21-
Your association contends, and with
justice, that persons retiring before 1962 deserve
consideration comparable to those retiring now.
Another shortcoming in the present
system is the absence of survivor annuities for wives
of deferred annuitants whose retirement benefits began
before 1956.
I believe serious consideration should
be given your proposal that five years service and two
years marriage should suffice for benefits to such widows
regardless of when their husbands may have died. Even
then, the marriage requirement will be greater than is
the case under social security.
-22-
The fourth proposal involving survivor
benefits relates to their loss through re-marriage
prior to age 60. Widows of men retiring since 1966
may have their benefits restored if such a marriage has
been dissolved through divorce or death. No such
reinstatement is permitted widows of earlier retirees.
As I observed in speaking before your
national convention in Florida last year. I feel that
re-marriage should not affect survivor annuities in any
way.
It has long been a basic precept in our
society that marriage is a natural and honorable
$
-23-
institution. Public policy in no instance should be
directed at interference with it.
It is unfair to impose this restriction
on retiring Federal employees when similar provisions
would be unacceptable in annuities which they might
purchase privately.
Three of your recommendations relate
to annuity benefits for the disabled, the under-60
retiree with 30 years service, and the retiree who,
because of extra long service, contributes in excess of
allowable maximums.
The validity of each, I believe, speaks for
itself.
-24-
It is hard to say how much of this
legislative package can be enacted during the present
Congress. We expect hearings to begin in the House,
however, in the not too distant future.
I commented earlier on the willingness
of you and your association to fight for the smallest
group of retirees or their widows. The omnibus bill
I have just reviewed amply demonstrates this commendable
trait.
Some of these proposals affect very
few people. Such small groups, however, often include
those with the greatest need. The chief beneficiaries of
these changes would be the oldest retirees and elderly
-25-
widows. Our studies of aging show that nationally these
usually are the people with the greatest economic
problems.
Our mail reveals that our older citizens
seek an opportunity to live their own life - to enjoy
personal dignity - private initiative and individual
responsibility. I personally feel your association's
programs have this underlying philosophy.
I hope and trust that I will bring the same
understanding and compassion to the needs of senior
citizens in my role as a member of the United States
Senate as you have shown through your association's
programs.
-26-
You may be sure I will continue to give
top priority to the needs of our senior citizens as
your Senator from Kansas.
56
AMERICAN FEDERATION
GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
American Federation of Government Employees
FRATERNITY
PROGRESS
AFFILIATED WITH THE AFL-CIO
JOHN F. GRINER ESTHER F. JOHNSON
NATIONAL HEADQUARTERS
NATIONAL PRESIDENT NATIONAL SEC.-TREAS.
WASHINGTON. D. C.
400 FIRST STREET, N.W.
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20001
* *
737-4705
IN REPLY PLEASE REFER TO:
6/Misc. R
September 10, 1968
Nixon Key Issues Committee
World Center
918 Sixteenth Street, N. W.
Washington, D. C.
Attention: Mr. Rein
Gentlemen:
Enclosed is a statement of several problems involving
Federal Civil Service employees which call for legislative
or administrative action.
Sincerely,
J.Erner
J. F. Griner
National President
TO DO FOR ALL THAT WHICH NONE CAN DO FOR HIMSELF
34
ISSUES IMPORTANT TO THE
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
1. Employee-Management Cooperation Program in the Federal Civil Service.
This program presently rests upon the provisions of Executive Order 10988
signed January 17, 1962, and effective July 1, 1962. Its purpose is to
permit Federal employees to participate in the formulation and implementa-
tion of personnel policies which are directly related to their employment.
The Order recognizes the right of a Federal employee to join or refrain
from joining an employee organisation which has for its primary purpose
the improvement of working conditions and provides for consultation of the
organization by management in the formulation of personnel policies and
practices and matters affecting working conditions.
Solution - Fhactment of legislation which will provide by law what
is now provided by Executive Order. This law should authorize a central
agency to regulate and police the program. There also should be esta-
blished an independent Board to hear and decide charges of unfair labor
practices and generally to regulate the operation of an employee-
management cooperation program within the Federal service.
2. Wage Board Pay System. An efficient system is at present lacking
for fixing wage rates for Federal employees whose rates of compensation
are established in accordance with prevailing rates in private industry.
At present an administrative procedure is in effect, known as the Coor-
dinated Federal Wage Board System. This system has some glaring
inadequacies. The National Wage Policy Committee directing this system
is headed by the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission. It would be
- 2 -
preferable to have an independent Board or Committee or at least have
appointments to the Committee made by all three Civil Service Commis-
sioners. Wage board employees also should receive such benefits as a
pay differential for night work; a workweek of five consecutive days
with two intervening days off; and a 10-step within-grade pay schedule
similar to that provided for white-collar employees paid according to
the Classification Act. Heretofore, wage rates for so-called wage-
board employees have consisted of single rates or two or three rates
where the rates are included in a grade.
Solution - Enactment of S. 2303 which has passed the Senate. This
bill is now pending in the Manpower and Civil Service Subcommittee of
the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee.
3. Constitutional Rights and Invasion of Privacy. Legislation is needed
to establish an independent Board of Federal Employees' Constitutional
Rights to which a Federal employee could appeal for a hearing on viola-
tions of his rights. It is necessary for the powers of such a Board
should be broad enough to hold hearings quickly. Under present
conditions, a Federal agency may take punitive or disciplinary action
which places an employee at a disadvantage and may make him liable to
considerable expense to defend himself from charges which are unfounded.
Solution:- Enactment of S. 1035, which was passed by the Senate
in the last session of Congress and is now in the House Post Office
and Civil Service Committee.
- 3 -
4. Tax Deduction for Federal Government. Of approximately 600,000
retired Federal employees, three-fourths are receiving annuities which
are somewhat below the accepted poverty level of income. They are
receiving $200 or less per month.
Solution . At present the extent to which a retiree may be relieved
of paying the full amount of income tax on his annuity is what is known
as Retirement Income Credit. But this provides only a partial reduction.
It is not a deduction or exemption but only a credit against the amount
of tax due.
Another way to help some retired persons is to restore the double
exemption for those over 65 years of age. Still another means of pre-
venting the retires from having his retirement income reduced is to
permit him to receive greater credit for medicines prescribed by his
physician.
Perhaps the most equitable and beneficial improvement for retirees
who were in the lower salary brackets would be the complete removal of
all Federal income tax liability. This would place the Federal Civil
Service annuitant on the same plane as the persons who qualify for
Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits.
5. Personnel Ceilings in Connection with Contracting Out. Contracting
out support services because a "ceiling" has been arbitrarily imposed or
placed on the number of Federal employees in an agency is costly and
wasteful. It results frequently in the loss of taxpayers' money which
could be avoided by using Federal civilian employees. Support services
are defined as an operation auxiliary to the function of an agency,
which does not involve a product and can be performed by Civil Service
employees or by contract with a private employer.
- 4 -
Support services are contracted in some instances because of ceiling
limitations even when the purchasing officer knows that the work could
be done more cheaply by Federal employees. The House Government Opera-
tions Committee in a report issued August 5 has recommended that ceilings
be lifted in cases where the work can be done by Federal employees at a
lower cost. This recommendation will save the Federal taxpayer millions
of dollars. However, the Committee also approved a recommendation that
a contract should be given to a private employer even in those cases
where he can carry out his work under conditions which are actually
illegal. This recommendation would authorise a Federal agency to set
aside Federal laws and regulations to let a contract if the private
contractor submits a bid to perform the work at a lower cost than it
could be done by Federal employees. Such a situation would lead to
the destruction of the merit principles of the Federal Civil Service
and waste Federal funds because of the harmful impact on Federal
employee morale.
Solution - The AFGE recommends that Federal employees should con-
tinue to perform all work historically assigned to them in the past.
All other support services should be performed either by Federal employees
or by private contractor, depending on which is cheaper. The choice should
be made with the fullest regard to all Civil Service laws and regulations
and without the imposition of arbitrary and artificial ceilings on the
number of Federal employees. Such work should be done also without
mingling Federal employees and the employees of a private contractor.
1. Issue: Federal Personnel Policies Relating to Government Employees,
2. Interested Groups: American Federation of Government Employees
(AFL-CIO) ; National Council of Federal Employees (AFL-CIO)
3. Platform Position: "assure comparability of Federal salaries with
private enterprise pay
snooping, meddling and pressure by the
Federal government on its employees
will be stopped and such
employees, whether or not union members, will be provided a prompt
and fair method of settling their grievances."
4. Comment: The AFGE presented five separate issues all of which are
important to all the government employee unions and to other non-
union government personnel.
First, they call for increased cooperation between employees and
supervisors in the formulation and implementation of personnel
policies directly related to their employment while preserving the
right of an employee to join or refrain from joining an employee
organization. These policies are now in force by Executive Order
10988 issued in 1962. They desire legislative enactment.
Since the platform advocates a prompt and fair method of settling
grievances, and supports the right to join or not join an employee
organization, there would seem to be room for a general statement
in this area which would satisfy the unions without pinning down
the candidate.
Second, the AFGE desires a reworking of the administration of Wage
Board employees who are paid on a comparable basis to private
industry.
The platform advocates comparability of salaries and also states
that a thorough study of the operation of the Executive Department
is necessary. Again, this leaves substantial room for satisfactory
maneuver.
Third, the AFGE desires an independent Board on Federal Employees
Constitutional Rights which would protect privacy. The platform
promises privacy protection and we could be specific on the promise
while stating we would consuder such a Board.
Fourth, The AFGE is concerned with the low level of annuities received
- 2 -
by retired Federal employees and suggests special tax credits and
exemptions for them.
This issue needs further analysis since all ramifications are not
clear, and it seems to be of secondary importance.
Fifth, The AFGE advocates an end to contracting out of Federal
work because of ceiling on government employment. They oppose a
provision which would allow a Federal agency to contract for work
to a private contractor who can perform at a lower cost than
Federal employees.
This proposal seems to raise serious questions and possibly we
would be safest in proposing a study in contracting out practices.
AFGE itself has 405,000 employees and affiliated organizations have
over 1 million and communications go out frequently and reach all
their members.
ISSUES IMPORTANT TO THE
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
1. Employee-Management Cooperation Program in the Federal Civil Service.
This program presently rests upon the provisions of Executive Order 10988
signed January 17, 1962, and effective July 1, 1962. Its purpose is to
permit Federal employees to participate in the formulation and implementa-
tion of personnel policies which are directly related to their employment.
The Order recognizes the right of a Federal employee to join or refrain
from joining an employee organization which has for its primary purpose
the improvement of working conditions and provides for consultation of the
organization by management in the formulation of personnel policies and
practices and matters affecting working conditions.
Solution - Enactment of legislation which will provide by law what
is now provided by Executive Order. This law should authorize a central
agency to regulate and police the program. There also should be esta-
blished an independent Board to hear and decide charges of unfair labor
practices and generally to regulate the operation of an employee-
management cooperation program within the Federal service.
2. Wage Board Pay System. An efficient system is at present lacking
for fixing wage rates for Federal employees whose rates of compensation
are established in accordance with prevailing rates in private industry.
At present an administrative procedure is in effect, known as the Coor-
dinated Federal Wage Board System. This system has some glaring
inadequacies. The National Wage Policy Committee directing this system
is headed by the Chairman of the Civil Service Commission. It would be
- 2 -
preferable to have an independent Board or Committee or at least have
appointments to the Committee made by all three Civil Service Commis-
sioners. Wage board employees also should receive such benefits as a
pay differential for night work; a workweek of five consecutive days
with two intervening days off; and a 10-step within-grade pay schedule
similar to that provided for white-collar employees paid according to
the Classification Act. Heretofore, wage rates for so-called wage-
board employees have consisted of single rates or two or three rates
where the rates are included in a grade.
Solution - Enactment of S. 2303 which has passed the Senate. This
bill is now pending in the Manpower and Civil Service Subcommittee of
the House Post Office and Civil Service Committee.
3. Constitutional Rights and Invasion of Privacy. Legislation is needed
to establish an independent Board of Federal Employees' Constitutional
Rights to which a Federal employee could appeal for a hearing on viola-
tions of his rights. It is necessary for the powers of such a Board
should be broad enough to hold hearings quickly. Under present
conditions, a Federal agency may take punitive or disciplinary action
which places an employee at a disadvantage and may make him liable to
considerable expense to defend himself from charges which are unfounded.
Solution - Enactment of S. 1035, which was passed by the Senate
in the last session of Congress and is now in the House Post Office
and Civil Service Committee.
- 3 -
4. Tax Deduction for Federal Government. Of approximately 600,000
retired Federal employees, three-fourths are receiving annuities which
are somewhat below the accepted poverty level of income. They are
receiving $200 or less per month.
Solution - At present the extent to which a retiree may be relieved
of paying the full amount of income tax on his annuity is what is known
as Retirement Income Credit. But this provides only a partial reduction.
It is not a deduction or exemption but only a credit against the amount
of tax due.
Another way to help some retired persons is to restore the double
exemption for those over 65 years of age. Still another means of pre-
venting the retiree from having his retirement income reduced is to
permit him to receive greater credit for medicines prescribed by his
physician.
Perhaps the most equitable and beneficial improvement for retirees
who were in the lower salary brackets would be the complete removal of
all Federal income tax liability. This would place the Federal Civil
Service annuitant on the same plane as the persons who qualify for
Social Security and Railroad Retirement benefits.
5. Personnel Ceilings in Connection with Contracting Out. Contracting
out support services because a "ceiling" has been arbitrarily imposed or
placed on the number of Federal employees in an agency is costly and
wasteful. It results frequently in the loss of taxpayers' money which
could be avoided by using Federal civilian employees. Support services
are defined as an operation auxiliary to the function of an agency,
which does not involve a product and can be performed by Civil Service
employees or by contract with a private employer.
- 11
Support services are contracted in some instances because of ceiling
limitations even when the purchasing officer knows that the work could
be done more cheaply by Federal employees. The House Government Opera-
tions Committee in a report issued August 5 has recommended that ceilings
be lifted in cases where the work can be done by Federal employees at a
lower cost. This recommendation will save the Federal taxpayer millions
of dollars. However, the Committee also approved a recommendation that
a contract should be given to a private employer even in those cases
where he can carry out his work under conditions which are actually
illegal. This recommendation would authorize a Federal agency to set
aside Federal laws and regulations to let a contract if the private
contractor submits a bid to perform the work at a lower cost than it
could be done by Federal employees. Such a situation would lead to
the destruction of the merit principles of the Federal Civil Service
and waste Federal funds because of the harmful impact on Federal
employee morale.
Solution - The AFGE recommends that Federal employees should con-
tinue to perform all work historically assigned to them in the past.
All other support services should be performed either by Federal employees
or by private contractor, depending on which is cheaper. The choice should
be made with the fullest regard to all Civil Service laws and regulations
and without the imposition of arbitrary and artificial ceilings on the
number of Federal employees. Such work should be done also without
mingling Federal employees and the employees of a private contractor.
AMERICAN REDICATION
35
*
EMPLOYEE
W.J.VOSS
DIRECTOR OF RESEARCH
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
(AFL-CIO)
400 FIRST STREET, N. W.
TELEPHONE:
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20001
737-4705
Classification:
File No.: 56
1. Organization: American Federation of Government Employees AFL-CIO)
2. Membership and Representation: 405,000
3. Representative:
3
(a) Presentation:
Carl V. Sadler, Le islative Rep
W
(b) Washington: 400 First St. N.W.
737-4705
4. Key Issues Presented: wages comparable to private wages; fair
settlement of grievances; protection of right to privacy
5. Platform Position: "assure comparability of federal salaries with
private enterprise pay. snoopin, meddling and pressure
by the federal government on its employees will be stopped
and such employees, whether or not union members, will be
provided a prompt and fair method of settling their grievances."
AFGE STATEMENT BEFORE THE REPUBLICAN CONVENTION PLATFORM COMMITTEE
Our organization, the largest union of Federal employees in the
United States with exclusive representation for over 405,000 Federal
employees, appreciates the opportunity to appear before this Convention
to invite its attention to the most pressing problems concerning Federal
employees.
Many of the new problems we are raising here for the first time have
come into existence primarily because the Constitution, the laws, execu-
tive orders, and regulations are not being applied within the Federal
Government either in letter or in spirit. Thus Federal employees are
not enjoying either their Constitutional rights as citizens or their
statutory and contractual rights as employees.
The other important background against which I am submitting these
proposals to you is the regrettable fact that the Federal Government,
as an employer, now seriously lags behind private industry in maintaining
enlightened, efficient, modern programs regarding the recruitment, class-
ification, compensation promotion and retirement of its employees.
Furthermore, it seriously misconstrues the real nature of good management-
labor relations and the importance of honest implementation of union
contracts.
Given this background and context, I should like to submit the
following specific proposals for inclusion in the platform of the
Republican Convention. These proposals are designed to alleviate the
more serious deficiencies encountered by Federal employees today.
AFGE PROGRAM FOR IMPROVING THE FEDERAL EMPLOYMENT SYSTEM
The right of Federal employees to organize into unions and the
right for employee unions to obtain effective representation before
- 2 -
management should be enacted into law and not rest solely on Executive
Order 10988.
The Civil Service Commission should be reorganized to take into
account the growing role and function of employee unions and to provide
a modern machinery to carry out labor-management agreements. This reor-
ganization of the Civil Service Commission should also provide for the
naming of at least one Civil Service Commissioner from the ranks of
Federal employee unions.
The Federal Government should prohibit the system of "contracting
out" of personnel services normally performed by Federal employees. These
"contracted" services not only are much more costly to the Federal tax-
payer but they also disrupt existing efficient Federal personnel systems
based on the merit principle.
The principle of "comparability" with private employer-employee
practices should be applied across the board in the Federal establishment.
As part of the principle of "comparability," no so-called "ceilings"
on the number of Federal employees in Federal agencies should be allowed.
The only criterion that applies in private industry for numbers of employees
is the budget for the company or corporation; likewise, the only criterion
in Federal employment should be the actual budget of the department or
agency.
The principle of "comparability" should apply to all phases of direct
and indirect compensation and fringe benefits, including retirement, health
and hospitalization benefits. For example, with reference to hospitaliza-
tion and health benefits, a three stage program over a three year period
should provide for the Federal Government to pay first 50 per cent, then
75 per cent, and finally 100 percent of all health and hospitalization
premiums.
- 3 -
To assure comparability and uniformity, a Wage Board Federal Survey
System should be established by law to apply uniform standards for establishing
wage scales based on recognized union agreements. Wage survey teams operating
under this system should include union representatives, One Federal Survey
Board should be established for each industrial center. In order to retain
skilled workers, the Wage Board should provide longevity pay increases for
wage board employees over and above union rates.
To protect Federal employees in the enjoyment of their Constitutional
rights and in their right to privacy, an independent board of Federal Em-
ployees' Constitutional Rights should be established by law to which em-
ployees could appeal directly in cases involving intrusion by their super-
visors on their privacy or Constitutional rights.
Federal employees should be enabled by law to obtain court injunctions
against their agencies as well as against individual supervisors in all
cases involving violations of the laws by these agencies or supervisors.
These injunctions should be available by direct application to the courts
at any time & violation has taken place or is threatened.
A mandatory terminal period should be established by law within which
hearings must be concluded and decisions rendered in cases of appeals or
grievances of employees.
In matters involving dismissals, demotions, suspensions and all dis-
ciplinary actions involving monetary losses, the law should provide that
decisions must be rendered within thirty work days after the appeal was
filed by the employee or his representative.
- 4 -
The Foreign Service Act should be amended to forbid any further
"selections out" without the prior institution of an appeals procedure,
including the right of confrontation and cross-examination and a final
review of findings by a Board outside the Department of State and the
Foreign Service.
A merit promotion program, applicable throughout the entire Federal
establishment, should be instituted and union representation on the
promotion standards, and individual promotion, boards should be provided.
Voluntary retirement should be optional after 30 years of Federal
service regardless of age. The computation of annuities should be based
on the highest three years of income instead of the present five years.
Annuities for employees in hazardous occupations should be computed at
2½ per cent instead of the present 2 per cent.
Overtime should be compensated only in monetary terms, such as is
the general practice in private industry, and not be so-called "com-
pensatory time off." Within the five day workweek, overtime should be
at time and a half; on weekends at double time.
Travel on official business outside official hours should be
compensated either by a per diem formula (time and one half of base
pay or double time in case of travel on weekends).
Downgrading reductions in employee pay, either for wage board
employees or for classified positions should not be permitted in those
cases where the Federal reclassification of the job occurred after the
employee was already on the job more than six months.
July 29, 1968
Draft S+atement by Richard Nixon on Federal Personnel Policies
An important task of the new Administration will be to insure the
protection of the constitutional rights of federal employees. Federal employees
in my Administration are not going to be treated as mumbers, or as second-class
citizens who somehow, because they happen to work for the Government are not
entitled to the same rights and privileges of other citizens.
The success of any Administration depends upon the pride, the dedication,
and the professional spirit of those who administer the laws and staff the
functions of the Federal Government. Much more can be done to improve the
professionalism and individual self-responsibility of our Government employees.
I want every employee to feel a sense of pride and personal involvement in the
service he renders his country. I will see to it, as called for in the
Republican Platform, that snooping, meddling, and pressure by the Federal
Government on its employees will be ended. Independent mechanisms are necessary
within the Federal existing establishment to which a Federal employee may
appeal for a hearing on a violation of his rights, particualarly invasion of
his privacy. A first priority of my Administration is a thorough and long over-due
study of the Executive Department by an independent commission, patterned on
the Hoover Commission. I will see to it that this area is one of the major
areas of concern of the commission I intend to appoint. In this same vein T
think it is imperative that the commission review the present coordinating
Federal Wage Board system. The present Wage Board System is cumbersome, slow
and ineffective. Improved administrative procedures are essential if, consistent
with the Republican Platform, we are to insure comparability of Federal salaries
with private enterprise pay.
I intend, further, to propose legislation which will insure the participation
of federal employees in the formulation and implementation of personnel policies
directly related to their employment. Legislation should recognise the right
-2-
of a federal employee to join, or refrain from joining an employee organisation,
should provide for consultation of the organization with those in a position
of management responsibility, and should provide for the participation of
federal employees in the formulation of these policies at all levels. A pro-
cedure should further be instituted whereby changes of unfair labor practices
could be expediciously heard by an independent board, which would also have
the function of reviewing the employee-management cooperation program within
the federal service.
I intend further to direct the appropriate Federal officials to review
the federal retirement system. At processor present, of approximately 600,000
refired federal employees, three-quarters are receiving annuities of less
than $200.00 per month. Provision should be made whereby the individual
federal employee can increase the contribution town to the retirement system,
to levels which will insure adequate retirement income. A review should
further be conducted to insure adequate treatment for the federal civil service
annuitant for those who have qualified for Social Security and Reilroad Re-
tirement benefits. In this context some revision of the Internal Revenue
Code might have to be recommended.
While there are many specific personnel policies which require change,
I believe that the most fundamental requirement for a new Administration is
to restore the sense of pride in public service. With the dramatic growth
of federal agencies in recent years, there has been a tendency to swallow up
the federal employee and to downgrade the requirements for initiative, dedication,
and personal involvement in the functions in his agency, or department. Service
to one's country, whether in military or in the Federal civilian establishment,
must receive the recognition which it deserves. Federal employees are
-3-
competent, hard-working, dedicated, and unselfish. They deserve, and
will receive that kind of recognition in my Administration.
56
DRAFT BY RN
Federal Personnel Policies
An important task of the new Administration will be to assure the
protection of the constitutional rights of federal employees. Federal employees in
my Administration are not going to be treated as numbers in a machine or as second-
class citizens.
The success of any administration depends upon the pride, the dedication,
and the professional spirit of those who administer the laws and staff the functions
of the Federal Government. Much can be done to encourage a greater sense of
pride and individual self-responsibility on the part of our government's employees.
I want every employee to feel a sense of personal involvement in the service he
renders his country. There must be mutual respect between the administration and
the individual.
To this end I will see to it, as called for in the Republican Platform, that
"snooping, meddling, and pressure by the Federal Government on its employees" is
ended. Effective, independent machinery should be established within the Federal
Executive to which an employee may appeal for a hearing in the case of a violation
of his or her rights, particularly an invasion of his or her privacy. Procedures
should be established to assure that these appeals be heard expeditiously and at
minimum expense to the employee.
I intend further to propose legislation which will insure the participation of
Federal Employees in the formulation and implementation of personnel policies directly
-2-
related to their employment. This legislation should further recognize the
right of a Federal Employee to join an employee organization if he chooses
to do so and should provide for meaningful consultation between the employee
organization and those in positions of management. The legislation should
spell out procedures to insure that charges of unfair labor practices can
be heard expeditiously by an independent forum. I think a great deal can
be accomplished by encouraging close cooperation between management and
employee at all levels of the Federal service.
The Republican Platform provides for insuringgcomparability of Federal
salaries with private enterprise pay. If this pledge, which I wholeheartedly
support, is to be made meaningful, I believe improvements can and should be
made in the present Federal wage board system and in the postal pay survey
system.
Survey teams and wage board determinations are based today on statistics
as much as a year old. This is because of the administrative lag between
the compilation of private pay statistics with actual Federal determinations.
A first priority of my Administration is a thorough and long overdue study
of the executive department by an independent commission, patterned by the
Hoover Commission. I will direct the commission to examine wage board and
postal office survey procedures with a view to inproving and accelerating
their administration. I will recommend procedures providing for fuller
employee participation in their administration. In testimony before
Congress this month the President of the Letter Carriers suggested that
a survey be instituted in all areas at the same time--that data be compiled
quickly with the aid of employee groups and the recommendations be forthcoming
- 3 -
within a specific limited period of time. Such procedures are necessary if
meaningful comparability is to be achieved. I further believe that procedures
should be instituted providing for third-party involvement, providing there
is mutual agreement, in order to insure successful resolution of
employee/management differences.
A major effort must be made to encourage more career incentives in
the Federal Service. The problem in the postal service is particularly
critical. A minute percentage of postal workers who pass the examinations
for supervisor are actually promoted. More opportunities must be available
to come up "through the ranks".
Finally, I intend to direct the appropriate officials of the adminis-
tration to examine the comparability of all areas of fringe benefits including
Federal employee retirement benefits, particularly with social security and
railroad retirement programs. At present, of approximately 800,000 retired
Federal Employees and survivors approximately 3/4 are receiving annuities
of less than $200 a month. The retirement system must be on a sound financial
basis. Provisions should be made whereby the individual federal employee
can make meaningful increases in his or her contributions to the retirement
system. By the same token the government must uphold its obligations to
the employee.
Throughout the years employee organizations accepted without question
the law which forbids to government employees the right to strike. For the first
time in history during the past two years, employee groups have become restive and
have begun to argue for the repeal of this legislation. Obviously something is wrong
-4-
with employee morale in the Federal Government and new leadership is necessary
if mutual confidence is to be restored between management and employee.
In this vein, I believe that the most fundamental requirement for a new
Administration is to re-establish a sense of pride in public service and to
restore the dignity of a federal worker. With the dramatic growth of federal
agencies in recent years, there has been a tendency for the individual to be
"swallowed up" in the vastness of the institution. This leads to downgrading
the requirements for initiative, dedication, and personal involvement in the
functions of the agency or department. Service to one's country, whether in
military or in the federal civilian establishment, must receive the respect which
it deserves. Federal employees are competent, hard-working, dedicated, and
unselfish. They deserve, and will receive that kind of respect in my Administration.
STATEMENT BY RICHARD M. NIXON
450 PARK AVENUE
NEW YORK CITY
September 24, 1968
FEDERAL PERSONNEL POLICIFS IN THE NIXON ADMINISTRATION
An important task of the new Administration will be to assure the
protection of the constitutional rights of federal employees. Federal
employees in my Administration are not going to be treated as numbers
in a machine or as "second-class" citizens.
The success of any administration depends upon the pride, the dedi-
cation and the professional spirit of those who administer the laws and
staff the functions of the Federal Government. Much can be done to en-
courage a greater sense of pride and individual self-responsibility on
the part of our government "s:- employees. I want every employee to feel
a sense of personal involvement in the service he renders his country.
There must be mutual respect between the administration and the individ-
ual.
To this end I will se to it, as called for in the Republican Plat-
form, that "snooping, meddling, and pressure by the Federal Government
on its employees" is ended. Effective, independent machinery should be
established within the Federal Executive to which an employee may appeal
for a hearing in the case of a violation of his or her rights, particu-
larly an invasion of his or her privacy. Procedures should be esta-
blished to assure that these appeals be heard expeditiously and at
minimum expense to the employee.
-2-
I intend further to propose legislation which will insure the
participation of Federal Employees in the formulation and implementa-
tion of personnel policies directly related to their employment. This
legislation should further recognize the right of a Federal Employee
to join an employee organization if he chooses to do so and should
provide for meaningful consultation between the employee organization
and those in positions of management. The legislation should spell out
procedures to insure that charges of unfair labor practices can be
heard expeditiously by an independent forum. I think a great deal can
be accomplished by encouraging close cooperation between management and
employee at all levels of the Federal service.
The Republican Platform provides for insuring comparability of Fed-
eral Galaries with private enterprise pay. If this pledge, which I
whoeheartedly support, is to be made meaningful, I believe improvements
can and should be made in the present Federal wage board system and in
the postal pay survey system.
Survey teams and wage board determinations are based today on
statistics as much as a year old. This is because of the administra-
tive lag between the compilation of private pay statistics with actual
Federal determinations. A first priority of my Administration is a
thorough and long overdue study of the Executive Department by an
independent commission, patterned after the Hoover Commission. I will
-3-
direct the commission, to examine wage board and postal survey proce-
dures with a view to improving and accelerating their administration.
I will recommend procedures providing for fuller employee participation
in their administration. In testimony before Congress this month the
President of the Letter Carriers suggested that a survey be instituted
in all areas at the same time--that data be compiled quickly with the
aid of employee groups and the recommendations be forthcoming within
a specific limited period of time. Such procedures are necessary if
meaningful comparability is to be achieved. I further believe that
procedures should be instituted providing for third-party involvement,
providing there is mutual agreement, in order to insure successful
resolution of employee/management differences.
A major effort must be made to encourage more career incentives in
the Federal Service. The problem in the postal service is particularly
critical. A minute percentage of postal workers who pass the examina-
tions for supervisor are actually promoted. More opportunities must be
available to come up "through the ranks".
Finally, I intend to direct the appropriate officials of the Ad-
ministration to examine the comparability of all areas of fringe bene-
fits including Federal employee retirement benefits, particularly with
Social Security and railroad retirement programs. At present, of
approximately 800,000 retired Federal Employees and survivors approxi-
mately 3/4 are receiving annuities of less than $200 a month. The
-4-
retirement system must be on a sound financial basis. Provisions **Aló
should be made whereby the individual federal employee can make mean-
ingful increases in his or her contributions to the retirement system.
By the same token the government must uphold its obligations to the
employee.
Throughout the years employee organizations accepted without
question the law which forbids to government employees the right to
strike. For the first time in history during the past two years,
employee groups have become restive and have begun to argue for the
repeal of this legislation. Obviously something is wrong with employee
morale in the Federal Government and new leadership is necessary if
mutual confidence is to be restored between management and employee.
In this vein, I believe that the most fundamental requirement for
a new Administration is to re-establish a sense of pride in public
service and to restore the dignity of a federal worker. With the dra-
matic growth of federal agencies in recent years, there has been a
tendency for the individual to be "swallowed up" in the vastness of the
insiitution. This leads to downgrading the requirements for initiative
dedication, and personal involvement in the functions of the agency
or department. Service to one's country, whether in military or in
the federal civilian establishment, must receive the respect which it
deserves. Federal employees are competent, hard-working, dedicated,
and unselfish. They deserve, and will receive that kind of respect in
my Administration.
Emp.
UFPC PROGRAM OF JULY 17 ACKNOWLEDGED
56
PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE RICHARD M. NIXON PROMISES
RICHARD M. NIXON, Republican candidate for President of the United States,
on September 26, provided the United Federation of Postal Clerks with a policy state-
ment concerning "FEDERAL PERSONNEL POLICIES IN THE NIXON ADMINIS-
TRATION." Legislative Director PATRICK J. NILAN, two months earlier, on July
17, had submitted the Federation's program to Mr. Nixon with PARTICULAR EM-
PHASIS on the absolute need for enactment of "Federal Employe Labor-Manage-
ment Relations" by law! Apparently, the statement received from Mr. Nixon on Sep-
tember 26, was in response to the UFPC legislative proposals of last July. The entire
text of Mr. Nixon's statement follows:
FEDERAL PERSONNEL POLICIES IN THE NIXON ADMINISTRATION
An important task of the new Administration will
percentage of postal workers who pass the examina-
be to assure the protection of the constitutional rights
tions for supervisor are actually promoted. More op-
of federal employes. Federal employes in my Admin-
portunities must be available to come up "through
istration are not going to be treated as numbers in a
the ranks."
machine or as "second-class" citizens.
The success of any administration depends upon the
pride, the dedication and the professional spirit of
VICE PRESIDENT HUMPHREY'S
those who administer the laws and staff the functions
of the Federal Government. Much can be done to
STATEMENT ON UFPC PROGRAM
encourage a greater sense of pride and individual self-
responsibility on the part of our government's em-
Vice President HUBERT H. HUM-
ployes. I want every employe to feel a sense of personal
PHREY, as the Democratic candidate for
involvement in the service he renders his country.
There must be mutual respect between the administra-
President, received the UFPC legislative
tion and the individual.
program in July, as did Mr. Nixon. Vice
To this end I will see to it, as called for in the Re-
President Humphrey responded to the
publican Platform, that "snooping, meddling, and pres-
UFPC recommendations on August 16, at
sure by the Federal Government on its employes" is
the Minneapolis National Convention.
ended. Effective, independent machinery should be
established within the Federal Executive to which an
The membership may desire to compare the
employe may appeal for a hearing in the case of a
Vice President's position on LABOR-MANAGE-
violation of his or her rights, particularly an invasion
MENT by law and postal clerk salary legislation
of his or her privacy. Procedures should be established
(PARTICULARY) with Mr. Nixon's statement
to assure that these appeals be heard expeditiously and
published in this FNS bulletin. Vice President
at minimum expense to the employe.
Humphrey's position on these "BREAD & BUT-
TER" issues was published in the September
I intend further to propose legislation which will
"Union Postal Clerk & Postal Transport Journal."
insure the participation of Federal employes in the
formulation and implementation of personnel policies
The UFPC legislative program was also sub-
directly related to their employment. This legislation
mitted to Presidential candidate George C. Wal-
should further recognize the right of a Federal employe
lace in early September. However, as of the date
to join an employe organization if he chooses to do SO
of this FNS bulletin, UFPC has received no
and should provide for meaningful consultation be-
acknowledgment from Mr. Wallace.
tween the employe organization and those in positions
of management. The legislation should spell out pro-
cedures to insure that charges of unfair labor practices
Finally, I intend to direct the appropriate officials
can be heard expeditiously by an independent forum.
of the Administration to examine the comparability
I think a great deal can be accomplished by encourag-
of all areas of fringe benefits including Federal em-
ing close cooperation between management and employe
ploye retirement benefits, particularly with Social
at all levels of the Federal service.
Security and railroad retirement programs. At pres-
ent, of approximately 800,000 retired Federal employes
The Republican Platform provides for insuring com-
and survivors approximately 3/4 are receiving annuities
parability of Federal salaries with private enterprise
of less than $200 a month. The retirement system must
pay. If this pledge, which I wholeheartedly support,
be on a sound financial basis. Provisions should be
is to be made meaningful, I believe improvements can
made whereby the individual Federal employe can make
and should be made in the present Federal wage board
meaningful increases in his or her contributions to the
system and in the postal pay survey system.
retirement system. By the same token the government
Survey teams and wage board determinations are
must uphold its obligations to the employe.
based today on statistics as much as a year old. This
is because of the administrative lag between the com-
Throughout the years employe organizations accepted
pilation of private pay statistics with actual Federal
without question the law which forbids to government
determinations. A first priority of my Administration
employes the right to strike. For the first time in
is a thorough and long overdue study of the Executive
history during the past two years, employe groups
Department by an independent commission, patterned
have become restive and have begun to argue for the
after the Hoover Commission. I will direct the com-
repeal of this legislation. Obviously something is
mission to examine wage board and postal survey
wrong with employe morale in the Federal Government
procedures with a view to improving and accelerating
and new leadership is necessary if mutual confidence
their administration. I will recommend procedures
is to be restored between management and employe.
providing for fuller employe participation in their ad-
In this vein, I believe that the most fundamental
ministration. In testimony before Congress this month
requirement for a new Administration is to re-establish
it was suggested that a survey be instituted in
a sense of pride in public service and to restore the
all areas at the same time-that data be compiled
dignity of a Federal worker. With the dramatic growth
quickly with the aid of employe groups and the recom-
of Federal agencies in recent years, there has been a
mendations be forthcoming within a specific limited
tendency for the individual to be "swallowed up" in the
period of time. Such procedures are necessary if
vastness of the institution. This leads to downgrading
meaningful comparability is to be achieved. I further
the requirements for initiative dedication, and personal
believe that procedures should be instituted providing
involvement in the functions of the agency or depart-
for third-party involvement, providing there is mutual
ment. Service to one's country, whether in military or
agreement, in order to insure successful resolution of
in the Federal civilian establishment, must receive the
employe/management differences.
respect which it deserves. Federal employes are com-
A major effort must be made to encourage more
petent, hard-working, dedicated, and unselfish. They
career incentives in the Federal Service. The problem
deserve, and will receive that kind of respect in my
in the postal service is particularly critical. A minute
Administration.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS!!
SHOP STEWARD BADGES
meaningful increases his or her contributions to the
system and in the postal pay survey system.
retirement system. By the same token the government
Survey teams and wage board determinations are
must uphold its obligations to the employe.
based today on statistics as much as a year old. This
is because of the administrative lag between the com-
Throughout the years employe organizations accepted
pilation of private pay statistics with actual Federal
without question the law which forbids to government
determinations. A first priority of my Administration
employes the right to strike. For the first time in
is a thorough and long overdue study of the Executive
history during the past two years, employe groups
Department by an independent commission, patterned
have become restive and have begun to argue for the
after the Hoover Commission. I will direct the com-
repeal of this legislation. Obviously something is
mission to examine wage board and postal survey
wrong with employe morale in the Federal Government
procedures with a view to improving and accelerating
and new leadership is necessary if mutual confidence
their administration. I will recommend procedures
is to be restored between management and employe.
providing for fuller employe participation in their ad-
In this vein, I believe that the most fundamental
ministration. In testimony before Congress this month
requirement for a new Administration is to re-establish
it was suggested that a survey be instituted in
a sense of pride in public service and to restore the
all areas at the same time-that data be compiled
dignity of a Federal worker. With the dramatic growth
quickly with the aid of employe groups and the recom-
of Federal agencies in recent years, there has been a
mendations be forthcoming within a specific limited
tendency for the individual to be "swallowed up" in the
period of time. Such procedures are necessary if
vastness of the institution. This leads to downgrading
meaningful comparability is to be achieved. I further
the requirements for initiative dedication, and personal
believe that procedures should be instituted providing
involvement in the functions of the agency or depart-
for third-party involvement, providing there is mutual
ment. Service to one's country, whether in military or
agreement, in order to insure successful resolution of
in the Federal civilian establishment, must receive the
employe/management differences.
respect which it deserves. Federal employes are com-
A major effort must be made to encourage more
petent, hard-working, dedicated, and unselfish. They
career incentives in the Federal Service. The problem
deserve, and will receive that kind of respect in my
in the postal service is particularly critical. A minute
Administration.
MEMBERSHIP NEWS!!
SHOP STEWARD BADGES
FIRST WINNERS-UFPC SWEEPSTAKES
New and improved Shop Steward Badges are now
available and will be supplied to locals free of charge
The first winners in the 1968 UFPC MEMBER
upon request.
SHIP "SW EEPSTAKES" were announced this
past week in Washington. The Federation mem-
The badges are for local UFPC stewards and repre-
bers listed below are the first to win cash awards
sentatives and will be supplied only in the specific
in this year's membership drive. REMEMBER-
number requested.
you also, can be a lucky winner. All you have to
Because of cost, the number of badges requested
do is sign up a new member in UPFC, using a dues
should not exceed the actual number of stewards in
withholding POD Form 1187.
the local.
CASH AWARD
PRIZE WINNER
Requests should be sent to Director of Organization
$100.00
ROBERT E. BROKISH. Local 79
Joseph F. Thomas at Washington "FED" headquarters.
Rockford, Illinois
$ 50.00
MIKE MEDAS. Local 72
Cleveland, Ohio
$ 50.00
RAY CARPENTER, Local 1055
Pleasantville, New York
1968 'FED' SWEEPSTAKES
$ 25.00
ADOLPH EMSHOFF. Local 665
Membership returns during the past week have
Whittier, California
increased greatly and the Annual Membership Drive
$ 25.00
WINAND H. HOCK, Local 89
now seems to be well under way.
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
$ 25.00
barbara C. DUSCHINSKI,
"FED" locals are urged to immediately form mem-
Local 1201
bership committees, and promote local contests during
Ft. .auderdale. Florida
the period ending November 30, 1968.
$ 10.00
JOHN T. hartunian, Local 67
With good weather and the end of vacation periods,
Kansas, City, Missouri
the time is now particularly ripe for organizing work
10.00
RICHARD'L JONES, Local 199
by State Federations and they are also urged to partici-
Richmond, Virginia
pate as fully as possible.
10.00
JOSEPH THOMPSON
Local 241
Once again, the Federation is shooting for a large
Madison, Wisconsin
increase in membership. It is possible, if all will
cooperate!!
VOICE VOTE SENDS H.R. 17682 TO SENATE
HOUSE APPROVES RETIREMENT LEGISLATION
The House of Representatives, on Tuesday, October 1, approved the retire-
ment legislation, H.R. 17682, by a voice vote and sent the bill to the Senate. Unfor-
tunately, consideration of H.R. 17682 by the U.S. Senate does not appear pos-
sible prior to the expected October 12 adjournment of the 90th Congress.
Congressman DOMINICK V. DANIELS (D-N.J.), Chairman of the House Post Office & Civil Service
Subcommittee on Retirement, and sponsor of H.R. 17682, handled the retirement legislation during the floor
debate and final passage. Congressman Daniels was ably assisted by PO&CS Committee Chairman, T. J. DUL-
SKI (D-N.Y.), and Congressmen ROBERT J. CORBETT (R-Pa.), DAVID HENDERSON (D-N.C.); MORRIS
K. UDALL (D-Ariz.) JAMES HANLEY (D-N.Y.), JAMES T. BROYHILL (R-N.C.), and WILLIAM E.
SCOTT (R-Va.)-all members of the House PO&CS Committee.
A number of amendments were proposed by; Congressman Corbett to establish a straight 2% computation
formula for annuities; Congressman Scott to permit optional retirement with 30 years' of service, regardless
of age, and to eliminate from H.R. 17682, the proposed Civil Service Commission authority to arbitrarily
increase employe and government contributions to the C.S. Retirement System-all the amendments were
defeated by narrow margin with comparatively few Congressmen on the floor when the votes were
taken. It was obvious that the House, in passing the retirement bill on a voice vote, did so, expecting that
the Senate would not consider H.R. 17682 prior to the expected adjournment of Congress, October 12.
The Senate Post Office & Civil Service Committee met Wednesday morning in what UFPC was told
would be the final meeting of the Committee for this year. IF the Congress should reconvene after the
November 5 national elections, there is always a possibility that H.R. 17682 could then be taken up by
the Senate. HOWEVER, as of now, we would have to realistically advise the membership that final passage
of H.R. 17682 cannot be expected this year. Details on financing and benefits proposed by Congressman
Daniels' omnibus retirement legislation were published in the July "UPC&PTJ."
FEDERATION
IF YOU ARE
READING
NEWS
THIS FNS BULLETIN
YOU SHOULD BE
SERVICE
A MEMBER
UNITED FEDERATION OF POSTAL CLERKS
PATRICK J. NILAN
817
14th
STREET,
N.W.,
WASHINGTON 5, D. C.
Editor
UNITED FEDERATION
Affiliated with AFL-CIO
OF POSTAL CLERKS
(AFL-CIO)
BULLETIN NO. 24
17
OCTOBER 3, 1968
NEW PMG ORDERS FOR RE-OPENING LOCAL NEGOTIATIONS
Postmaster General K. MARVIN WATSON continues to forge ahead in a determined effort
to build equitable labor-management relations throughout the postal service for the future, and
also remedy any possible areas of failure to negotiate in "good faith" which may have resulted
during the last local negotiation sessions (April 1-May 17).
UFPC Executive Vice President DON E. DUNN (who is also Chief Spokesman-Negotiator) and his Com-
mittee of Administrative Aide FRANCIS S. FILBEY, Administrative Vice President HENRY T. ANGLIM, and
Executive Aide EMMET ANDREWS, now advise the membership that following the September 19 announce-
ment of Postmaster General Watson's policy on "good faith" negotiations as it applied to non-negotiable items
at the local level, that the Federation L-M Committee discussed with PMG Watson the large number of im-
passe items which had been appealed to higher levels.
As a result of this conference, Postmaster General Watson has now directed that the following actions
and procedures shall be followed in regard to all pending impasse items. THIS NOTICE WILL APPEAR IN
THE POSTAL BULLETIN:
"Representatives of management and labor are making every effort at both the Regional and Depart-
mental levels to resolve all impasses in local negotiations as expeditiously as possible under the pro-
cedures in Article VII, A. 18., of the National Agreement. Representatives of the National Exclusive
Organizations and the Department have agreed to inform the local parties that there is no objection to
local parties mutually agreeing to return to the bargaining table and resolve any or all impasses pre-
viously forwarded pursuant to Article VII, A. 18. a.
"When such meetings are held and agreement is reached, the installation head shall forward such in-
formation to the Director of Industrial Relations in the Regional Office and Regional Representative
of the Organization The Director of Industrial Relations shall relay such information to the Direc-
tor, Labor Relations Division, Bureau of Personnel, on those impasses pending at the Departmental
level."
We suggest that UFPC locals reconvene their local negotiation teams and review ALL pending impasses
that have been appealed to a higher level. It is important that this be done immediately in view of the Post-
Spokesman-Negotiator)
and
his
Com-
mittee of Administrative Aide FRANCIS S. FILBEY, Administrative Vice President HENRY T. ANGLIM, and
Executive Aide EMMET ANDREWS, now advise the membership that following the September 19 announce-
ment of Postmaster General Watson's policy on "good faith" negotiations as it applied to non-negotiable items
at the local level, that the Federation L-M Committee discussed with PMG Watson the large number of im-
passe items which had been appealed to higher levels.
As a result of this conference, Postmaster General Watson has now directed that the following actions
and procedures shall be followed in regard to all pending impasse items. THIS NOTICE WILL APPEAR IN
THE POSTAL BULLETIN:
"Representatives of management and labor are making every effort at both the Regional and Depart-
mental levels to resolve all impasses in local negotiations as expeditiously as possible under the pro-
cedures in Article VII, A. 18., of the National Agreement. Representatives of the National Exclusive
Organizations and the Department have agreed to inform the local parties that there is no objection to
local parties mutually agreeing to return to the bargaining table and resolve any or all impasses pre-
viously forwarded pursuant to Article VII, A. 18. a.
"When such meetings are held and agreement is reached, the installation head shall forward such in-
formation to the Director of Industrial Relations in the Regional Office and Regional Representative
of the Organization The Director of Industrial Relations shall relay such information to the Direc-
tor, Labor Relations Division, Bureau of Personnel, on those impasses pending at the Departmental
level."
We suggest that UFPC locals reconvene their local negotiation teams and review ALL pending impasses
that have been appealed to a higher level. It is important that this be done immediately in view of the Post-
master General's NEWEST policy declaration on labor-management. Return to the bargaining table NOW and
make every effort to find mutually agreeable solutions to all pending impasse items.
COLORADO 100% ON L-M BILLS
UFPC NATIONAL REGIONAL
Representative DONALD G. BROTZMAN
(R-Colo.) introduced H.R. 20174 on October 2
REPRESENTATIVES APPOINTED
and as a result, Colorado joins the State of
President E. C. Hallbeck has announced
Maine with a 100% record for ALL Congress-
the appointment of six NEW National Re-
men from their respective states sponsoring
gional Representatives effective October 1st.
companion bills to the UFPC labor-manage-
The position of National Regional Repre-
ment legislation, H.R. 460.
sentatives is provided for in Article VII,
In a strong expression of bi-partisan support, Repub-
Section 11 of the National Constitution.
lican Congressman BROTZMAN joined his three Demo-
The new appointments were made by President
cratic colleagues: Congressmen BYRON G. ROGERS;
Hallbeck in recognition of the considerable in-
FRANK E. EVANS; and WAYNE E. ASPINALL,
crease in Federation membership and resulting
who had previously co-sponsored legislation similar to
representation needs during the last several years.
the Daniels' bill, H.R. 460.
Regional Representatives work in close cooperation
and under the direction of National Vice Presidents
Colorado now has the largest 100% Congressional
within regions assigned.
state delegation supporting the UFPC Labor-Manage-
ment by Law legislation. Previously, the State of
The November "Union Postal Clerk & Postal
Maine had the only 100% L-M by law Congressional
Transport Journal" will formally introduce the
delegation as Representatives PETER N. KYROS (D)
following new National Regional Representatives
and WM. D. HATHAWAY (D) introduced companion
to the membership.
legislation earlier in the 90th Congress.
TOM COFFEY
LORENZO STEPHENS
Congressman BENJAMIN B. BLACKBURN (R-Ga.)
Greensboro, N. C.
Los Angeles, Calif.
has also introduced an L-M bill (H.R. 19983) on Sep-
ANTONIO P. ANAYA
ROY BROWNING
tember 25, since our last report. HOWEVER, Con-
Sante Fe, N. M.
Springfield, Ohio
gressman Blackburn's bill is not identical with H.R. 460
ROYAL ROBINSON
WILLIAM FOSTER
and will be carefully studied by the Federation's leg-
Washington, D. C.
Twin Falls, Idaho
islative director.
Draft September 23, 1968
Our Nation's economy depends heavily on the unique
and vital contribution made by the American mining industry --
in all its segments.
Our national security also is keyed importantly to
the supply of metals, coal, industrial and agricultural minerals
which this industry produces.
The importance of mining to this Nation is under-
scored by several other significant facts. First, mining is an
economic base for the total economies of great regions of the
United States; for example, the Southwest and the Northern Rocky
Mountain area. Beyond that, while domestic mineral production
amounts to 2.9 percent of America's gross national product, it
has a direct impact on 40 percent of the GNP and an indirect
impact on nearly 75 percent of the GNP.
Obviously, mining not only supplies the products
which create this impact. It pays taxes as well. It also creates
2/
and maintains the jobs on which literally hundreds of thousands
yzmillon
of employees and their families rely.
Recent years have seen a substantial increase in the
Walter H. Hibbard, Director, Bureau of Mines, before Senate
Interior Committee, March 21, 1968 (Page 10).
American Mining Congress says approximately one-half million is
a very safe figure.
- 2 -
mining industry's involvement with governmental matters. This
has come about, at the Federal level particularly, through a
variety of legislative proposals and administrative regulations.
We have seen, for example, new laws passed to improve
the quality of air and water. There are legislative proposals to
insure that lands disturbed and scarred by mining activities will
be appropriately reclaimed for other uses. There are proposed
tax changes, proposed restrictions on mining use of public lands --
and so on.
The American mining industry has endorsed, and has
made great efforts to help achieve, desirable environmental
quality goals to which all our citizens aspire. In these and
other areas of public concern, and at very considerable cost,
this industry has been mindful of the public interest in mining
activities.
It is my purpose, and it will be the purpose of my
Administration, in whatever necessary governmental programs we
undertake, to draw upon the mining industry's experience, skills
and demonstrated dedication to the public good. We will welcome
the industry's help. And I pledge the cooperation and the under-
standing of my Administration in all these endeavors.
My Administration will be fully aware of the special
problems that face this industry. To illustrate, mining has
little choice in locating its facilities. It must seek out its
- 3 -
products and then mine them where they are found. To discover a
valuable mineral deposit and then establish a modern mining
facility is a venture calling for great skills --- and for much
capital. Governmental policy must always keep this in mind.
We need a strong, viable mining industry in America.
Our economy, and our defenses, depend upon it. My pledge to you
is that our government shall not unwisely or unnecessarily add
to the industry's burdens. We shall seek its help, its coopera-
tion. And I hope we can always draw on its reservoir of skills,
judgment and experience.
Mining Dudastry -
Querican Willing Congrass -
and consution - las Jeqas-
7,8,9 october-
15,000 people. -
Equipment People.
Peculiarly vital to Nation because of.
Source of read waterial - National Security
considerations -
Tax + Depredion is vital,
mustancide
I
Taxes. (Seeve tw Depletion allowance)
2
Profeer Dones Tic Resources
in
3
Redamation <
4
air of wafer Pollution Technogines
have been developed as
of
Duderstry Expense-
Miching longress townd.
Reclamution
Laud Can be put to a greai vaulty
Remove the Scars but with intelligent
hand use, Local needs r different
conditions
lunst he discrimunating Rolicy - -
Purtnerslip Notion
lug admin in an work in Partnersings
with Local, state &
in Reclamation of Clean Cein of water Policin
Need In stung Industry - Progressium
capital of Risk involved in
Operations -
GOUT winst create healthy climate
for Inders 5mg of Lahr to wash together-
we lose our position in world commerce
in Copiser - 1/2 Billion loss in Balance of
Payments Fed GOUT shouldn't ke
Partisan of Eitner side in hales Mat disputer
habit lungs should work. together in wat Dutent
Stock P. P.luling Polician - Should
reflect National considentions alone
d not he used, as cu this advice,
to reise additional revenue for
the Federal Treasuring -
DRON ORE Assoc
1/2 burllion Jobs
Coal Peopleo
Sand f 6RAUEL