The Washington times., 1938-06-25
WORKERS GRATIFIED

thuSldSGlC over Cn6 CuleI GxSCu-
tive's action, and their unions saw
in the Executive order a fruition
of the aims for which they have
been striving for years.
Officials of the unions-the
American Federation of Govern
ment Employees, the National Fed
Grafton of Federal Employees and
the United Federal Workers Of
America-all envisioned the crea-
ton of a career service" for Gov
ernment workers as a result Of the
order.
Overshadowed by the civil serv-
ice order itself were host OF
solid benefits to Federal employees
in general contained in numerous
other Executive orders.
The most significant boon is the
change in civil service rules where
by competitive tests, long used
solely for admission to the service,
will take a prominent part in pro-
noting qualified employees and in
filling vacancies.
TO LIST ELIGIBLES
Used experimentally with good
result by the Civil Service Com
mission on its own personnel dur
ing the past eight months, COM
petitive examinations after next
January will be held by the COM
mission from time to time for the
various agencies, and from them
promotion registers" will be set
up for each agency.
The registers then will be used
to supply eligibles for higher va
cant positions within the related
office, employees within the agency
receiving preference over persons
in other units who are likewise
qualified to step up. The new rules
provide, in addition, that all
vacancies shall be filled by trans
fer or by use of the promotion
registers, before the ordinary "elig-
ible registers" of inexperienced
job-candidates are tapped.
Equally beneficial to personnel
is the establishment of the nearest
possible approach to an appeals
system without necessary legisla-
ton creating such a board.
HEARING GRIEVANCES
Within the newly promulgated
rules is a provision whereby the
Civil Service Commission is clearly
allowed to hear the plea of an ag.
grieved employe facing dismissal
and if necessary certify him to an.
other agency, although it cannot
reverse the findings Of officials of
his original office.
Further, under the Executive
order providing that each agency
establish a commission certified
personnel director, this official is
directed to establish means for
the hearing Of grievances of en-
ployes and present appropriate
recommendations for the settle
ment thereof to the head of his
department or establishment.
This official. it is anticipated
from past history, will prove the
focal point for settlement of the
frequent problems presented by
organization delegations which in
the past have founo difficulty in
contracting the proper official with
sufficient authority to iron out
controversies.
The new rules provide that pro-
baton periods shall consist of a
year instead of six months, unless
shortened by the commissions de.
cision, and direct that persons on
probation and found incompetent
may be dismissed after one
months trial.
Examination procedures have
been Streamlined by allowing the
commission to designate persons
outside the service as examiners
where necessary, If their expert
ence juStifies and the commission
can cooperate with State and
municipal civil service bodies in
giving tests, with possible certifi-
cation of eligibleS from the result.