Another blow to the dignity of workers...

My son works for the federal government.

Well, not really, He actually works for a company that has a government contract. He has an office in a government building and works next to government employees, and does the same thing government employees do except that he makes less money, has fewer benefits, though he costs the taxpayers roughly the same as a regular government employee (if he got the same benefits). Still it's a job, and he lives at home so it allows him to pay off his debts.

Last month he was told that the company's contract had been rebid and his company lost the contract. Evidently another company bid less than his company. My son's last day at work is Friday. Normally in these cases, the new company picks up most of the old employees, but the old employees won't know who will be picked up and who won't until - you guessed it - Friday! Of course those who are kept on will lose the vacation and sick leave they've accrued, and some will be offered less pay than they are getting now - for how else can the new company under bid the old company?

So here we have a couple of hundred employees who have no job security - not now, not ever. They can never accrue any significant vacation or sick leave, and chances are they will never make more than they make now, because those who earn more than starting wages are a detriment to the company when it comes time to rebid the contract in another year or so.

I'm a manager for the federal government and I have been told the only new employee positions we can get are contractors, in fact in the coming years I'm told a significant number of existing jobs will be switched to contractors.

I now have a contract employee. We pay the contractor a huge amount for each employee they provide, yet the employee gets only slightly more than half that amount, the rest goes to the company (most of which is profit). In the offices around me we probably have over 50 contractors now, so multiply this cost by 50 and you see how much it's costing our little corner of the government.

What are the benefits to the government for switching to contractors? The advantages given by the politicians are mostly bogus. The one BIG advantage is this: contractors can be terminated in a heartbeat. The only reason they have to give is: "It's for the good of the government." No notice, no severence pay, no job.

I believe the neo-cons have been planning this for some time now. They are getting everything in place so they can slash the size of the government drastically, probably near the end of Bush's second term (it would never occur to them he might lose). They will justify it by pointing to the huge deficit they have been building the past three years and tell the American people, "It's either do this or cut Social Security, it's your choice." This will be hailed by the libertarians and the small minded voters who are convinced the only function of the government is to feast on taxpayers money. But who will be left to test the meat, enforce safe water standards, forecast the weather, monitor the Nation’s health, enforce pollution standards, monitor companies for compliance with SEC regulations, oversee banks, prevent pests (plants and insects) from entering the country, insure mines are safe, audit corporation's tax returns, etc., etc.? The corporations will be freer than ever before to do whatever they please and the American worker and the American people will get screwed.

We have got to put an end to this administration in 2004!

I worked on contract at the Peace Corp IT. The company I worked for lost the contract and the new company wanted to hire all of us. This is now spreading all over the country.

I'm a long time fed employee (2nd generation, no less). This is typical. The employee is told to do more with less or face possible replacement by contractors. Contractors low bid the job, you get to train the replacement or hire on at a big pay cut. This is the way to bust unions, deny benefits, keep the wages at the lowest possible and line those contractor's pockets. Talk to the workers...clue 'em in on what's happening not only to us, but to them.

Of course, it's hard to re-indoctrinate people who have been told for years & years that govt workers are lazy, overpaid and you can't fire 'em. What a crock!

Also, with the economy in the sewer, most people are afraid to fight back 'cause they are getting desperate for that paycheck.

Ending this admin in 2004 is just one step in a long march toward regaining our country! If we are to be afraid, it's not from terrorists, it's from the people currently taking away our country!

same thing in Europe. Manpower (a temp. agency) is now the largest employer here. Contracted workers have no contract therefore no rights.

I think of a temp agency as one who can supply a skilled employee on a short term basis. Saves a company the hassle and paperwork of having to hire someone for 2-3 weeks, until the project is done, and then having to let them go. At least Temps serve a legitimate need.

Contractors usually replace an existing employee or potential existing employee. They usually are no cheaper to hire than the existing employee, it's just that no one has to treat them like human beings. They are disposables.

The Neo-cons are the slumlords of politics!

GOPFighter

Isn't it just dandy. Here in Europe we call these market fundemantalist guys 'neoliberals'.

Strong unions and general strikes. Socialist revolution even better!

temp agencies in this country fullfil those tasks, they mostly provide permanent or semi-permanent employees nowadays. Especially for govt agencies.

By using contractors, the private sector can cut corners and reduce costs and services by paying employees less and cutting down the level of service. The difference will be their profit.

Oh by the way, the costs to have the contrators will keep creeping up until they are sky high. Contractors, through connections, contributions, and by eliminating competition, will ensure that the the gov. will not be able to get rid of them. Direct government workers do not have shareholders to answer to except the public and elected officials. They are not there to make a profit. In contrast, private companies doing the same job must make money and the public interest is far down the list of priorities.

The post speaks of a company that bid lower getting the job. Well, eventually, they're probably be only one or two players and the competition for the best or lowest price will diminish considerably.

The result: much higher costs (especially when the competition from various bidders is eliminated), low wages and benefits, terrible service, and no accountability.

I have a friend who was a visiting home health aide.. She was paid $9.00 an hour and had to drive a 200 mile radius.. She was expected to visit x amount of people a day, or she would be docked in pay..

The "client" was billed $40 an hour.. She had to quit because she felt so sorry for some of these old people, that when they would actually cry as she was ready to leave, she would stay and cook them lunch or listen to their troubles.. She usually fell short of her "quota".. add to that the way the SoCal freeways are, and the fact that she was putting too many miles on her car...

sad..

Nothing new here, same old shit. Best government money can buy.