FYI

>NCH WASHINGTON UPDATE
>(Vol. 9, #6;  6 February 2003)
>by Bruce Craig <[log in to unmask]>
>National Coalition for History (NCH)
>*****************
>3. A-76 "OUTSOURCING" CONTINUES -- VOICES OF PROTEST GROW
>Last week, in this publication ("NPS and Interior Agency Professionals
>Subjected to A-76 Outsourcing Assessments" in NCH WASHINGTON UPDATE, Vol.
>9, #4, 30 January 2003), we reported on the federal government's current
>effort to outsource "professional positions" (specifically archeologists)
>in the National Park Service. We are now beginning to hear reports of
>various history positions (federal job series 170) in agencies such as the
>Department of the Army are also being scrutinized under the A-76
>outsourcing effort. Ultimately some 850,000 government jobs will be
>subjected to competition.
>
>Echoing protests by federal employee unions, on 5 February 2003, in a
>letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) director Mitchell E.
>Daniels Jr., Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA) and thirty-four other Senate
>Democrats expressed their concerns over the administration's outsourcing
>effort. The bureau, however, continues to defend the effort as a way to
>increase government efficiency through competition.
>
>The NCH needs to hear from you on this issue! We are aware of the
>archeologist positions that have been targeted at the National Park
>Service, but what other "professional" positions are readers aware of that
>are being subjected to the A-76 effort?  We are particularly interested in
>hearing from federal historians and archivists. As always, all such reports
>will be held in strictest confidence unless otherwise directed. Please
>e-mail your reports to: <[log in to unmask]>.
>
>NCH ACTION ITEM: Since thirty-five senators are now on record opposing the
>latest outsourcing effort, this is an opportune time for individuals and
>organizations wishing to express their views on this matter to contact
>members of Congress.  Communicate with them not by letter but via e-mail or
>fax (for a listing of members of Congress office addresses via zip code,
>tap into: http://www.house.gov/writerep/ and <http://www.senate.gov/>.
>
>***********************************************************
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