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As a participant in the Office of Personnel Management Conference on the Federal Workforce, my message about what success will look in the years ahead is very much dependent on the same factor that determines success today—namely, a greater understanding of the role the federal government and its employees play in the life of our nation, and far more public support for that role. Clearly, federal employees, who are among the most skilled and dedicated in our country, can deliver on the promise of change and improvement; but they will have to be supported, both by the public and their agencies, and empowered to do so.

On the issue of hiring practices, I made clear NTEU’s view that the merit-based system has as its cornerstone critical principles, including veterans preference, open competition and objective assessment, that must be preserved. Simplifying the federal hiring process—as useful as that would be—is insufficient to counter the use of such mechanisms as the Federal Career Intern Program (FCIP), which undercut merit system principles and erode employee morale.

As I have said many times before, the federal government needs to be a model employer to compete for and retain the most highly-skilled professionals in their various fields.

Finally, I represent some of the most committed and skilled workers that exist anywhere and there are many others like them who are ready to join our President on delivering on his promise of change. We need to attract, support and empower these workers. We need to improve our systems, such as the hiring system, train our employees, especially our managers, and ensure that motivating leaders are in place to take advantage of the opportunities that exist today to lay the foundation necessary to ensure that the federal government is an effective, resulting-producing force for improving the lives of our citizens.

I am always appreciative of the opportunity to provide the frontline federal employee perspective in such forums and to have the opportunity to advocate for those who do the work of our country.