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[[underlined]] Smithsonian Science Information Exchange [[/underlined]]

At the May 1980 meeting, the Board of Regents was informed that the employees of the Smithsonian Science Information Exchange, Inc. had engaged the firm of Patton, Boggs and Blow to study and seek protective legislation that would preserve certain of their benefits when they become civil service employees.  These benefits would include retention of accrued rates of annual leave, transfer of sick leave accumulations, and permission for the employees to retain comparable step and grade levels.  it was also reported to the Board that study continued under the auspices of the Department of Commerce on the consolidation of the functions of the Exchange and the National Technical Information Service, Inc. (an activity of that Department).

In its action on the Department of Commerce's FY 1981 appropriations bill, the House of Representatives deleted funds that had been sought to effect the consolidation and delayed such action one year to allow completion of the studies which are still being conducted, and to give the legislative committees an opportunity to consider appropriate legislation to preserve accumulated employment benefits of SSIE employees.  Senate action is expected in September.

The Institution understands that an information hearing will be held on September 23, 1980 by Gladys Noon Spellman, Chair of the Subcommittee on Compensation and Employee Benefits of the House Committee on Post Office and Civil Service, to review the matters raised by the SSIE employees as well as similar questions raised by employees of nonappropriated fund activities of the Department of Defense and others.  The Smithsonian will be represented at this hearing, which is expected to result in a decision by the Committee on the proposal for legislation.