Views on H.R. 3339, 96th Congress

The GAO Career Level Council was established as an advisory group by the Comptroller General in 1969 and represents approximately one-half of the GAO professional staff. The Chairman of the Council presented views on H.R. 3339, a bill to provide for the employment and compensation of employees of GAO. The Council supported the broad objectives of the legislation, which are to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of GAO and to reinforce the credibility of GAO work. The bill would minimize the perception of conflict of interest by making GAO more independent of the executive branch, resolve any questions concerning the coverage of GAO employees under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, permit more flexibility in hiring, and allow GAO employee organizations and employees to work with GAO management in developing regulations to implement the legislation when enacted. After review of the legislation, the Council expressed concern that the legislation lacked sufficient guarantees that: (1) an independent appeals authority would be established to adjudicate employee appeals, complaints, and grievances; (2) employees would be protected against grade or salary reductions resulting from the adoption of new compensation and classification systems for GAO; and (3) GAO management would continue to involve and consult with employee organizations in developing and reviewing all implementing regulations. As a result of these expressions of concern, the Comptroller General offered amendments to the legislation which would resolve the first two concerns. With regard to the third concern, the Council expressed the hope that future Comptrollers General would continue the current Comptroller General's practice of consulting with employee organizations and employees in developing regulations which provide management flexibility and protect GAO employees and applicants from unfair and unwarranted practices. Some of the council's constituents expressed concern because H.R. 3339 would remove the GAO personnel system from the purview of executive branch oversight. This concern could be mitigated by addressing in detail the organization and function of the appeals board and the equal employment opportunity responsibilities assigned to GAO by the bill and through congressional oversight.