Scientists flee USDA as research agencies move to Kansas City area

The Hill ^ | 07/15/19 | Rebecca Beitsch

[EVO X]

I suspect a private sector worker poll would come back 100M to Zero for a Boo f’n hoo.

[marktwain]

How many times did you do it on three months notice with the government not paying for cost of the move?

Interesting. Do you have a source for that?

I worked for the DOD for over 30 years.

In a case like this, cost of the move was paid because it was for the benefit of the government.

It would be quite unusual if most of the moves are not being paid for.

Of course, there are exceptions for people who are in temporary positions, and a few others.

[marktwain]

None of the employees will be fired or out of a job. Some will be transferred to other agencies. I suspect a fair number will retire.

No ERS or NIFA employee will be involuntarily separated, though most will have to move to keep their jobs. Employees can choose not to relocate, but unless their positions are slated to remain in D.C., they will lose employment with USDA. The department said it will offer relocation assistance to employees who relocate. Employees will receive the same base pay but a new locality pay rate for Kansas City.

[DoodleDawg]

Interesting. Do you have a source for that?

From this story and others. The move was announced in June. This story says they have to be there by the end of September and that "Employees say they are getting conflicting information about how much of their moving costs will be covered by the government."

In a case like this, cost of the move was paid because it was for the benefit of the government.

Not if the intent of the move is to get people to quit.

It would be quite unusual if most of the moves are not being paid for.

Wouldn't it also be unusual at this late stage for the Department of Agriculture not to say how much of the cost of the move, if any, they will cover?

[marktwain]

Moves like this are covered by civil service regulations.

There is not a lot of leeway on the part of the government agency.

Note that no one is being forced to move.

[farming pharmer]

But then Alaska would be forever polluted.

My brother in law was an EE/electrician on the land based oil platforms on the North Slope. The polar bear alerts alone will keep our alphabet agency bureaucrats hopping!

[zeugma]

58 years ago, NASA decided to create the Manned Spacecraft Center in Houston. The selected spot was a cow pasture.

Doesn't make any sense until you know how much land Lady Bird Johnson owned in the area.

[Dawgreg]

Doesn’t make any sense until you know how much land Lady Bird Johnson owned in the area.

I know she came from money but I never knew what her family owned.......this may warrant looking it up.......;)

[sparklite2]

Best president evar!

[conservatism_IS_compassion]

In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex . . Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.

Akin to, and largely responsible for the sweeping changes in our industrial-military posture, has been the technological revolution during recent decades. In this revolution, research has become central; it also becomes more formalized, complex, and costly. A steadily increasing share is conducted for, by, or at the direction of, the Federal government.

. . . the free university . . . has experienced a revolution in the conduct of research. Partly because of the huge costs involved, a government contract becomes virtually a substitute for intellectual curiosity . . . The prospect of domination of the nation's scholars by Federal employment, project allocations, and the power of money . . . is gravely to be regarded.

Yet . . . we must also be alert to the equal and opposite danger that public policy could itself become the captive of a scientific-technological elite. Eisenhower’s Farewell Address

[zeugma]

I grew up in Seabrook, Tx, which is bike-riding distance from JSC. Real estate was the main reason I was given for its location.

[Fresh Wind]

This story says they have to be there by the end of September and that "Employees say they are getting conflicting information about how much of their moving costs will be covered by the government."

Employees say?

Instead of relying on anonymous unnamed sources, why not contact an actual government source in OPM who has knowledge of the process of moving employees? Then compare that with whatever materials the employees have been given stating what the process will be, and what relocation assistance is to be provided. If there's a conflict there, then that's the story.

That's what journalists should do (but rarely do anymore, it would seem).

The fact that employees are griping means nothing. It's normal, and it certainly isn't news. Rumors run wild in situations like this, and they're rarely accurate. They should never be reported as fact.

[Dawgreg]

I grew up in Seabrook, Tx, which is bike-riding distance from JSC. Real estate was the main reason I was given for its location.

I think it was a good decision. Even though it’s grown by leaps and bounds over the years, it’s still a good location. Haven’t been to Seabrook in years......