The Pentagon is moving out on its implementation of the National Security Personnel System—minus the part that deals with labor relations. DOD and union officials last week agreed to hold off on the labor relations portion of NSPS until February. A group of unions filed suit against DOD over the NSPS rules published earlier this month. (DR 11/09/05) What can DOD do before February? It can train employees and issue implementing guidance. The agreement does not rule out the possibility of the unions filing a request to temporarily or permanently stop NSPS—it just provides more breathing room for both sides.
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.