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TO: Michael Yost, Administrator, FAS
FROM: Laura Scandurra, FAS AFSA VP
SUBJECT: AFSA Request to Open Contract
DATE: July 31, 2006
 
In an April decision memorandum, AFSA requested that the agency agree to open our contract in order to implement the following improvements to Article 25, which governs performance management:
  • adopt the Foreign Service (FS) professional competencies framework which identifies the specific leadership and management competencies Foreign Service Officers (FSO) should develop during the course of their careers;
  • adopt revised promotion criteria based on the professional competencies framework that emphasize, among other things, the ability to accomplish work through others and the ability to lead change;
  • hold FSOs accountable for developing performance objectives with meaningful performance indicators - a system that has been adopted government-wide, especially for senior executives; and,
  • adopt a performance assessment tool for selection board members to facilitate the evaluation and ranking process.
These human capital improvements will support the reorganization by providing appropriate incentives and rewards for high performing FSOs. They will also lay the groundwork for an effective pay for performance system. Implementing these improvements will require little in the way of additional resources as the improvements have already been negotiated with FAA. In fact, the work that has been done to date is an excellent example of innovation and problem solving accomplished between FAS management and the FS union.

AFSA is requesting that these improvements be implemented as part of the interim bargaining process. We began this process over a year ago on a good faith basis and would appreciate a timely response. We see these improvements as an important part of the reorganization process and as a complement to the on-going improvements in the CS performance management system.

Cc: Ken Roberts, Associate Administrator
Kirk Miller, General Sales Manager
Lyle Sebranek, Deputy Administrator, FAA
Chuck Alexander, Deputy Assistant Administrator, FAA


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