Bill Sends Strong Message on Workplace Rules

George Nesterczuk , a senior policy adviser at the Office of Personnel Management, said he believes the House amendment would bar funding for a new performance appraisal system at Defense, what he called a "back door" effort to stop a performance-based pay system for nearly 700,000 Defense civil service employees.

"This has a definite impact," Nesterczuk said, noting that pay changes cannot proceed without a more rigorous job evaluation system in place.

A statement issued by the NSPS project office said the amendment is under review and may affect parts of the NSPS that are not under legal challenge. The Pentagon "is currently not spending money on implementing the enjoined parts of NSPS," the statement said.

Beth Moten , legislative director for the American Federation of Government Employees, said unions are not trying to use the Inslee amendment to block changes in pay rules. "Our intention was to stop the regulations that have been enjoined by the court," she said.

For Those on the Go

The General Services Administration announced that it has awarded one-year contracts worth $1.98 billion to 11 airlines to provide discount fares for federal travelers.

The contracts start Oct. 1, the beginning of fiscal 2007. The previous contract had been valued at $1 billion and covered 13 airlines. The almost doubling in contract costs was caused by fuel surcharges and an increase in the number of military personnel who are traveling because of the fighting in Iraq and Afghanistan, a GSA spokeswoman said.

Federal travelers going from Reagan National Airport to New York's LaGuardia Airport will pay $99 for a regular fare or $69 with advance booking. A trip from Reagan National to Los Angeles would cost $201, or $154 with advance booking. Round-trip costs are double the one-way fare.

Stephen Barr's e-mail address isbarrs@washpost.com.