Inter-American Foundation Employees Voted to Join AFGE
September 16, 2024
Another group of federal employees have voted to join AFGE!
Read More
Employees Question VOA’s Decision to Convert GS Positions to SES Amid Budget Cuts
September 03, 2024
Categories:
The Insider
The Voice of America’s decision to convert three GS-14/15 management positions to Senior Executive Service (SES) has created an uproar at the agency where positions have been cut and more staff could lose their jobs.
The three positions are being advertised at USAJobs.com as SES and not the GS positions they previously were. The positions are Latin America Division director, Persian Division director, and Africa Division director. They have plans to add additional SES job postings for positions overseeing the East Asia and Pacific, Eurasia, South and Central Asia, and China. According to VOA Director Michael Abramowitz, there are eight new SES positions at VOA.
The conversions came as the agency has released approximately 60 contractors and is expecting even more budget cuts the coming year. Many employees have left after the agency offered a buyout. The rest are concerned that their jobs will be cut.
In a damage control message to staff, Abramowitz said the conversions are necessary to recruit future leaders.
“I recognize that VOA has been through some budget decisions, and it is likely we are facing another tough budget years. While I am sensitive to any budget impact, it is more important to strengthen VOA for the future,” Abramowitz said in an Aug. 20 email to staff.
Local 1812 President Paula Hickey said the VOA is not being transparent about the budget. The agency’s FY2024 budget request was for $944 million, but it received $857 million. The VOA, however, received more than it had requested for the FY2023 budget but provided no details on how the surplus was used.
“Employees are extremely upset about the conversion of these positions to SES and feel this is simply management promoting managers while cutting jobs of the employees that are responsible for the creation, production and delivery of programming,” Hickey said. “Our employees work hard and are already asked to do more with less. It is revealing that adding upper-level management while cutting staff is considered the key to preparing for the future. It clearly indicates agency priorities, and the timing of the announcement reflects the appalling indifference, insensitivity and lack of respect displayed toward these dedicated employees. It’s very disappointing and demoralizing for staff.”
The local is also concerned about the agency’s plan to create two new grantees, Radio Free Africa and Radio Free Americas, which will deliver news to areas already covered by the Voice of America and Office of Cuba Broadcasting. These two new entities will be staffed primarily by contractors and represent more privatization of the federal government.
Recent AFGE News:
Bobby Orozco: Why Is This Election Important to Me?
September 16, 2024
AFGE activist Bobby Orozco talks about why this election is important to him.
Read More
AFGE Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
September 16, 2024
Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated each year from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15.
Read More
