FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 29, 1999

For more information, contact: Lisa Tunstall-German, 301-369-9131

Millions of taxpayer dollars are being wasted to support the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE's) "New Buddy System," according to members of the newly formed Coalition of Federal Employees (COFE).

Coalition spokespersons say there are many highly paid DOE employees who, for one reason or another, are being forced to perform "busy work" that doesn't reflect their actual position descriptions, career goals, talents, or education. This situation, amounting to millions annually in wasted tax dollars, has been a direct result of the Department's "New Buddy System." COFE members maintain that the system consists of an informal network of political cronies who divide the "real" work among their friends, both in and out of DOE, and use this power to tacitly encourage discrimination.

COFE member Ric Moore, a 19-year DOE veteran, says he is among the many employees being paid to "sit on my hands" while other, less-qualified, and lower-level DOE employees and outside contractors have been given his duties.

"We believe that senior officials, acting without the Secretary's knowledge, are virtually robbing existing career employees of their responsibilities and handing them over to their friends - buddies they hire as consultants or contractors or bring into career positions that should be based on merit. The result has been to derail many talented folk from career tracks, making it impossible to move ahead. And, it's happening at all levels - clerical to senior executives. In my particular case, I'm a grade 15 employee hired for my planning and budget experience. Since entering this job two and a half years ago, I've been kept from budget work while they used a contractor in violation of the rules. Another non-Federal employee was assigned strategic planning while I was excluded," says Moore.

COFE members believe that the "New Buddy System" fosters both discrimination and favoritism, because many of the employees adversely affected belong to protected classes under Federal guidelines. However, spokespersons are quick to add that even white males have found themselves displaced.

"It really depends on who holds the reins at any given time. We have seen this buddy system used to discriminate against anyone who doesn't belong to management's 'in crowd.' Women, men, blacks, whites, Hispanics, Native Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, veterans and disabled persons...you name it. It just happens to be particularly prevalent among persons of color. Most of those affected are aptly qualified for their jobs, so it's not about being 'dead wood' as some would have you think. These are people getting 'good' and 'outstanding' performance appraisals, and often getting commendations and recognition from others besides their bosses," says Warren Clayman, another COFE member.

The Coalition was formed to specifically address the issues of wasted taxpayer resources and resulting discrimination and favoritism. Although their initial target is the Department of Energy, they maintain that the "New Buddy System" operates in many agencies throughout the Federal Government. "This is highly proliferative," Clayman asserts. "My guess is that the waste to taxpayers could be estimated in the billions."

Local labor union president Ellis Maupin identifies a number of abuses he charges have been unaddressed by management including "...unfair disciplinary actions, denials of promotions, retaliation and reprisals for grievances and complaints...."

COFE has joined with the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), Chapter 213 representing Energy Headquarters employees, to plan a demonstration on May 5, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Washington headquarters at 1000 Independence Ave., SW - the Forrestal Building. Rock Newman, a prominent sports entrepreneur and rights advocate, Ellis Maupin, NTEU Chapter President, and a representative from Secretary of Energy Richardson's office are among those scheduled to speak.