Last week, President John Gage of the American Federation of Government Employees said the union still believes the Pentagon’s new National Security Personnel System limits collective bargaining rights. Government Executive reports that Gage said that the final regulations the Defense Department has instituted over the past six or seven months were among some “we feel Congress has taken away from them.” He added, “Our position has hardened on NSPS.” The 2008 defense authorization act required DOD to make the NSPS pay-for-performance system consistent with then current labor requirements. (DOD published the NSPS final rules in late September.) The union has not settled on its latest strategy but, according to Government Executive, is considering a new lawsuit, seeking further Congressional action, or possibly enlisting the aid of the Obama Administration, since, before the November election, President-elect Barack Obama expressed concern with a possible disconnect “between pay and performance despite what employees have been told.”
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.