Efficiency Initiative
Please find documents sent in by AFGE's Mark Gibson related to "Efficiency Initiative" downsizing in the Department of the Army. DoD has capped the civilian workforce at 2010 levels, which will require significant FTE reductions, particularly in the Army. AFGE has strongly opposed the imposition of a cap because it is contrary to laws which prohibit the Department of Defense from managing the civilian workforce through arbitrary personnel ceilings, such as an FY10 cap.
In addition to sending significant correspondence to Secretary Gates and President Obama, AFGE also organized letters from members of Congress. This includes letters from two House representatives, Maurice Hinchey (D-NY) and Rob Andrews (D-NJ), as well as a letter from Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD). AFGE also worked with Representative Andrews on a floor amendment to the FY12 National Defense Authorization Act to temporarily suspend the "Efficiency Initiative", although the amendment failed by a vote of 246-178.
As budget pressures become more intense -- the Administration recently proposed cutting $400 billion from defense spending over the next several years -- we should expect the "Efficiency Initiative" to cut even further into the civilian work force. To its credit, the Army has tried to prevent work performed by civilian employees from being contracted out, particularly as part of the "Efficiency Initiative." Nevertheless, we should be vigilant to ensure that no work last performed by civilian employees is converted to contractors pursuant to the "Efficiency Initiative." If you have an example to the contrary, please get in touch with AFGE's Field Services and Education Department.
