Pentagon personnel chief David Chu yesterday said that DOD has not given up the fight to fully implement its new National Security Personnel System, reports Government Executive. Right now, the Justice Department is appealing a court decision preventing the Pentagon from rolling in union employees. However, Homeland Security, which is implementing a similar system, just got shot down—for the last time—over its labor relations provisions. Chu says the Pentagon probably would go to the Supreme Court if it loses at appellate level. (Congress has just told DOD it cannot use 2007 funds for NSPS union-related actions.)
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
