A co-worker thinks working for government is cool b/c they never downsize.

How can I tell him that he's wrong?

who has been around for a while...let them tell about all the "downsizing" that has been going on for the past 20 years...

Being a government worker, although it has many benefits, makes you subject to whatever the Administration believes. And right now, the Admin hates the government worker.

It's just business. Money. Cutting costs.

That's the system. None of us likes it, but nothing's changed and it won't until something drastic happens. e.g. peak oil, where people will need to band together and change the economy back into one of agriculture and sharing if we are to survive. Assuming people don't find a different way of 'economy' that doesn't lead to today's situation of "it's just business". Loyalty ensures long term success, lesser turnover, emotional well being, higher productivity.

It's not the person they hate. They just have to live within operating budget and funds are never consistent, not even in government.

Our trade deficit is easily fixed for example; bring the jobs back home. Products and inventions will be made here, people will make them from here. People will buy from here. The dollar strengthens. Everything is smurfy again.

And offshoring and offpeopling will ultimately generate enough karma to ultimately hit home hard. The rich may have a secured $50 billion, but how long will that last if gas is $10/gallon, electricity is 10 times per month what it used to cost? In the short term, the rich need not worry about the despair the jobless face. But eventually it'll hurt them too. Possibly moreso. After all, the wealthy CEOs teach Junior and lil'Miss how to play the piano and wear a pretty dress. Street smarts will ensure survival. Not business sense. Not in the climate that is about to take over.

http://www.opm.gov/rif/general/rifguide.asp

Here's 116 OPM workers losing their jobs. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A2719-2005Mar2.html

There have also been layoffs of TSA personnel.

Yes, job security is pretty high with the government, but there are down sizings and lay offs.

If you're talking about state or local governments, their workforce appears to get downsized a lot. I work for the federal government and our job security is pretty good, mainly because they make a decent attempt to place you in another job if your's is abolished. Of course, you may have to move to another location 1,000 miles away, but at least it's an option.

In my career I've know a lot of workers who have been RIF'ed (laid off).

The federal government, however, is now in the process of replacing federal employees with contractors. There is a small upside to this move, and a HUGE, HUGE downside. In a few years there will be very few new government employees.

contract workers though?

Forgive my ignorance, please, I haven't had a full-time job yet anywhere, let alone in the government.

The aim of the Republicans is to fill government with contract workers so they can eventually slash the workforce and not have to pay any severence pay. Also, contractor workers will be low paid workers with few benefits and little chance for advancement, so there will probably be a high turnover. Service to the public will drop, making it easier for the GOP to cut government services.

I think if you ask most government contractors, they would recommend it as a career, however, right now some contractors are still eventually getting hired on by the government because the contracting out process isn't yet complete.

about whether the government ever downsizes. In fact, your friend should ask some of the vets themselves. (Plans are afoot for a VA "reduction in force" just as all these physically and emotionally wounded vets are coming home.)

(edit for clarity)

they will eventually outsource the VA entirely. Give the Veteran a ID card that can be used at any hospital in their immediate area. Only thing left at the VA will be CEOs watching the $$ being sent to the HMOs/Insurance/Drug companies.

It is such a load of crap. The VA used to be the premiere healthcare system in the country staffed by some of the most dedicated, caring folks you would ever meet. From housekeepers and laundry workers to the most dedicated nursing staff I have ever known....what a pity.

I hope there are lots of people watching what's unfolding with the VA, because what we're allowing this administration to do to veterans is just bullsh!t.

the government I work for has a miserable hiring freeze and is facing major layoffs before May.

There was a time that was pretty much true, but no longer (I come from a looooooong line of AFSCME members).

We've had LOTS of downsizing, masqueraded as "early retirement incentives"...more to come.

I make a lot less than a comparable employee in the private sector. Inflation goes up 3-4% a year, and I might get a 2% "COLA".

U.S. Newswire (press release), DC
01/02/2005
FAA To Outsource 2400 Air Traffic Controller Positions
2/1/2005 8:15:00 PM
To: National Desk
Contact: Kate Breen of the National Association of Air Traffic Specialists, 301-933-6228
WHEATON, Md., Feb. 1 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced today the decision to contract out a portion of the Nation's Air Traffic Control System in what is considered to be the largest, most complex outsourcing effort of public functions in U.S. Government history.
Lockheed Martin was awarded a 5 year deal that, with options, is valued at $1.9 billion dollars. Information released with the announcement indicated a dramatic consolidation plan, closing 38 Automated Flight Service Stations (AFSS) across the U.S.
The National Association of Air Traffic Specialists strongly condemns the Federal Aviation's decision to involuntarily separate 2000 controllers. NAATS feels the outcome was largely a result of age discrimination and a conscious decision to deny a large portion of the workforce the retirement they have earned. "Many of our controllers are 3 to 4 years short on retirement, and stand to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars from their pensions," stated Kate Breen, NAATS President. "It was bad enough the Bush administration allowed the theft of pensions of Enron employees, but now as a direct result of his management agenda, Bush is sanctioning government employees losing a large portion of their pensions."
In 1981, the flight service controllers assisted the Agency while it struggled to make it through the controller strike. Then in the days after September 11, 2001 the employees were the Agency's direct communication to the aviation community after terrorist attacks grounded all flights across the nation. The flight service stations' traffic tripled as controllers briefed pilots on the latest information available. "Every time there has been a crisis, the men and women of Flight service have been there to bail out the Agency," Breen said.
The FAA has alienated a dedicated workforce. Morale was at an all time low as the agency made the announcement via telephone and web-based media. Controllers' emotions ranged from anger to tears as they learned they would lose their federal employment and retirements. Breen stated "From all reports I have received the controllers continued to maintain their high level of professionalism in spite of bad news".
For more information on Flight Service Stations and the services provided please visit http://www.naats.org or contact:
The National Association of Air Traffic Specialists Attn: Kate Breen, 11303 Amherst Avenue, Suite 4, Wheaton, MD 20902; Phone 301-933-6228; FAX: 301- 933-3902

Though the pay can lag sometimes.

/not really a point