Tuesday, June 23, 2009

CAUSEY: Workers win some, lose some on Hill


Article Title: CAUSEY: Workers win some, lose some on Hill
Snippet from Article: "...Republicans in Congress, looking for ways to cut federal outlays, persuaded their leadership to endorse a plan that would (if enacted) require federal and postal workers to work longer to get benefits promised them, and would withhold any annuity payments until they age 62, even if they retired much earlier. ..."
Source: washingtontimes.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Sunday, June 21, 2009

Uncle Sam Is a Boss You Can Rely On


Article Title: Uncle Sam Is a Boss You Can Rely On
Snippet from Article: "...primary advantages of working for the federal government are generous benefits, solid pay and relative job security..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Wednesday, June 17, 2009

Obama to extend federal employee benefits to same-sex partners


Article Title: Obama to extend federal employee benefits to same-sex partners
Snippet from Article: "...Under Obama's edict, gay and lesbian partners of federal employess will be granted access to health care and financial benefits such as relocation fees for moves.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2009/06/16/2009-06-16_president_obama_extends_federal_employee_benefits_to_samesex_partners.html#ixzz0IhBmC8RG&C
..."
Source: www.nydailynews.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

2010 COLA


Article Title: No COLA for federal retirees next year
Snippet from Article: "...For the first time ever, it appears federal retirees will not be getting a "cost of living adjustment" next year. The so-called COLA has been steadily rising each year for decades. But in 2010..."
Source: www.federalnewsradio.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Monday, June 15, 2009

2011 COLA


Article Title:
Snippet from Article: "...We do not have any information on the 2011 COLA for Federal Employees, Military Retirees, or Disabled Veterans. We will update the COLA rates as they become available...."
Source: federal-newsgroup.blogspot.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

,

Friday, June 12, 2009

Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act - H.R. 3774


Article Title: Senior Executive Service Diversity Assurance Act - H.R. 3774
Snippet from Article: "...Revises the career appointments recruiting process to require agency heads to ensure diversity of executive resources boards, and any subgroup or other evaluation panel related to the merit staffing process for career appointees, by including members of racial and ethnic minority groups, women, and individuals with disabilities. Requires the Director to promulgate necessary regulations and report to Congress on agency efforts to improve diversity in executive resources boards and of qualifications review boards, based on the collection of statistics concerning race, ethnicity, sex, and disability required by this Act...."
Source: www.govtrack.us

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Struggling to Boost Forest Service Morale


Article Title: Struggling to Boost Forest Service Morale
Snippet from Article: "...Morale is "the lowest that I've ever seen in the forest service," Ron Thatcher, president of the Forest Service Council, a unit of the National Federation of Federal Employees, said yesterday. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

TSP Rates of Return for May

TSP Rates of Return were updated on June 1, 2009.



This is a screen capture from the Thrift Savings Plan Site


[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

2009 Best Places to Work in Federal Government Rankings


Article Title: 2009 Best Places to Work in Federal Government Rankings
Snippet from Article: "...The Best Places to Work rankings are the most comprehensive and authoritative rating and analysis of employee satisfaction and commitment in the federal government. The 2009 rankings are the fourth edition of this ongoing series, following the 2003, 2005 and 2007 versions...."
Source: bestplacestowork.org

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Several Bush officials work in areas related to former jobs


Article Title: Several Bush officials work in areas related to former jobs
Snippet from Article: "...Federal law imposes limits on the contacts that former top executive branch officials can have with their former colleagues, including a two-year ban on lobbying on any issue that they worked on during their final year in government...."
Source: www.usatoday.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

YES, TAKE FPS OUT OF ICE, SAYS DHS UNION


Article Title: YES, TAKE FPS OUT OF ICE, SAYS DHS UNION
Snippet from Article: "...“From the beginning ICE has taken every step to reduce the FPS workforce by starving it of all its resources and attempting to privatize the entire agency,” Wright added. “Moving FPS out of ICE and recent congressional efforts to restore staffing levels for FPS law enforcement officers are critical steps in rebuilding this beleaguered agency.”..."
Source: www.afge.org

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Employers told to prepare for Free Choice law


Article Title: Employers told to prepare for Free Choice law
Snippet from Article: "...As union leaders press for passage of the federal Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), business leaders are opposing the change while positioning..."
Source: www.southbendtribune.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Monday, May 11, 2009

Rebooting federal recruiting


Article Title: Rebooting federal recruiting
Snippet from Article: "...Rix says that her firm's websites that handle recruiting for a number of federal agencies are successful at attracting as many as a thousand qualified candidates for most positions. She adds that contrary to popular belief, it is possible to stay within the Merit Systems and Uniform Guidelines on Employee Selection procedures, and still offer an easy-to-use, applicant-friendly process...."
Source: www.federalnewsradio.com/

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Saturday, May 9, 2009

The Salaries of Federal Employees


Article Title: The Salaries of Federal Employees

Snippet from Article: "...If you are interested in finding out just how well (or not) a government job pays, all you have to do is get online and click away...."
Source: hubpages.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Government employees do share tax burden


Article Title: Government employees do share tax burden
Snippet from Article: "...Many federal retirees do not receive Social Security benefits because they have not worked in a non-government job for a sufficient amount of time. Those that are eligible have their benefits substantially reduced by the Government Pension Offset and Windfall Elimination Provision...."
Source: www.islandpacket.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Friday, May 8, 2009

Improve federal work force hiring


Article Title: Improve federal work force hiring
Snippet from Article: "...The government is facing growing and complex demands and requires a specialized work force of engineers, scientists, accountants, information technology professionals, acquisition and contract experts, doctors, nurses and skilled employees in..."
Source: www.politico.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Wednesday, May 6, 2009

How Federal Jobs are Filled


Article Title: How Federal Jobs are Filled
Snippet from Article: "...Many Federal agencies fill their jobs like private industry by allowing applicants to contact the agency directly for job information and application processing. But, while the process is similar, ..."
Source: www.usajobs.gov

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

privatizing federal employees at West Point


Article Title: Senate bill would end privatizing federal employees at West Point
Snippet from Article: "...It would also encourage agencies to assign new work to federal employees...."
Source: www.midhudsonnews.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Sunday, April 19, 2009


Article Title: Pay Raise Horse Beats COLA Mule
Snippet from Article: "... living costs as measured by the Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index dropped 1.3 percent. They were down again in November (2.3 percent) and December (1.2 percent). Increases in January, February and March were modest and that, for the COLA, is the problem...."
Source: postalbriefing.blogspot.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Friday, April 17, 2009

Missile Defense Agency Federal Employment Spotlight


Article Title: Missile Defense Agency Contract Specialist (Procurement Analyst) Vacancy Announcemet
Snippet from Article: "...Position requires Acquisition Workforce Level III certification in Contracting. Certification prior to hiring is not essential but must be accomplished within 24 months after entry into this position...."
Source: federalemploymenttips.blogspot.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Monday, April 13, 2009

How Much Does an Individual Federal Employee Make? It Isn't Hard to Find Out


Article Title: How Much Does an Individual Federal Employee Make? It Isn't Hard to Find Out
Snippet from Article: "...As a federal employee, were you aware that your salary information is readily available to anyone with a computer, internet access and 30 seconds to locate the information? ..."
Source: www.fedsmith.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Contracting Boom Could Fizzle Out


Article Title: Contracting Boom Could Fizzle Out
Snippet from Article: "...The recent surge in the Washington area's defense-contracting workforce would begin to ebb under Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates's latest budget proposal as the Pentagon moves to replace legions of private workers with full-time civil servants. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Monday, April 6, 2009

NTEU Strongly Supports Bill to Provide Civil Service Protections at TSA


Article Title: NTEU Strongly Supports Bill to Provide Civil Service Protections at TSA
Snippet from Article: "...would amend the Aviation and Transportation Security Act of 2001 to bring Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees under federal civil service protections, scrapping a failed pay-for-performance personnel system and providing a crucial security workforce with collective bargaining rights for the first time. The leader of the union representing tens of thousands of frontline homeland security employees called the legislation a critical step toward improving the vital, yet troubled, agency...."
Source: www.nteu.org

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Senate confirms John Berry as federal personnel chief


Article Title: Senate confirms John Berry as federal personnel chief
Snippet from Article: "...Both presidents of the two largest federal employee unions -- the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Treasury Employees Union -- also praised Berry...."
Source: www.govexec.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Tanker update: Ala. Sen. blocks Pentagon nominee


Article Title: Tanker update: Ala. Sen. blocks Pentagon nominee
Snippet from Article: "...Alabama Sen. Richard Shelby has put a hold on the confirmation of President Barack Obama's pick for a key Department of Defense position amid the continued controversy over an Air Force tanker contract...."
Source: www.heraldnet.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Federal Employees With Disabilities Few And Far Between, Report Says


Article Title: Federal Employees With Disabilities Few And Far Between, Report Says
Snippet from Article: "...The report titled Federal Employment of People with Disabilities was released Tuesday by the National Council on Disability. It indicates that federal employment of people with disabilities dropped 14.42 percent between 1998 and 2007 despite an executive order in 2000 to promote the hiring of 100,000 people with disabilities...."
Source: www.disabilityscoop.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Sunday, March 29, 2009

New Postal Voluntary Early Retirement VER for July 31, 2009

Postal News


Read it here: New Postal Voluntary Retirement VER for July 31, 2009

ALL EMPLOYEES except Electronic Technicians (ET); Maintenance Mechanics, Mail Processing Equipment (MPE); Part-time Postmasters.


"... Please Note: The age and years of service criteria must be met by the effective retirement date of this VERA: July 31, 2009. If you don’t meet the criteria by July 31, 2009, you are not eligible for voluntary early retirement...."  
Source: The Postal Newsgroup



[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Monday, March 23, 2009

Postal Service: District Closings, Reductions, Voluntary Retirements (VER)


On March 20, the US Postal Service announced District Closings, Voluntary Early Retirement, and Reductions. The announcement reads as follows:



USPS ANNOUNCES ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE CLOSINGS, EARLY RETIREMENT OFFER AND
STAFFING REDUCTIONS


Today the Postal Service has announced it will close six of its 80 district offices. USPS is also
eliminating positions across the country and offering another round of voluntary early retirements.
These actions are expected to save the Postal Service more than $100 million annually.
The six offices closing — located in Florida, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey,
Pennsylvania and Washington State — house administrative functions and will not adversely affect
customer service, mail delivery, Post Office operations or ZIP Codes. The functions of these offices will
be assumed by 10 surrounding districts.
The Postal Service’s districts are being re-aligned as follows:
�� The Boston and Connecticut districts will assume the operations of the Massachusetts District.
�� The Northern New England (formerly Maine) District will assume the operations of the New
Hampshire/Vermont District.
�� The Western Pennsylvania (formerly Pittsburgh) District will assume the operations of the Erie
District.
�� The South Florida and Suncoast districts will assume the operations of the Central Florida
District.
�� The Seattle and Salt Lake City districts will assume the operations of the Spokane District.
�� The Northern New Jersey and Southern New Jersey districts will assume the operations of the
Central Jersey District.
USPS will reduce administrative staff positions at the district level nationwide by 15 percent. In addition,
more than 1,400 mail processing supervisor and management positions at nearly 400 facilities around
the country will be eliminated, and nearly 150,000 employees nationwide are being given the...

The Mandatory Stand-Up Talk reads as follows:

Mandatory Stand-Up Talk
District Closings, Staffing Reductions and VER Announced

With the economic recession resulting in the Postal Service ending fiscal year 2008 with a loss of nearly $3 billion, we
are facing an extremely difficult financial challenge.
Streamlining operations and improving efficiency throughout the Postal Service is a constant, ongoing process. Over
the past year, we have refined this process by modifying networks, consolidating functions, adjusting delivery routes
and restructuring administrative and processing operations. Today, Postmaster General Jack Potter announced new
steps to further our efforts. These actions are expected to save the Postal Service more than $100 million annually.
First, the Postal Service is closing six district offices.
These six administrative district offices were chosen based on their proximity to other districts that could absorb the
additional workload without compromising the delivery, retail and mail processing functions of the Postal Service.
Today, more than 500 employees were notified by their area vice president and/or district manager that their district
offices were closing.
An opportunity for voluntary early retirement (VER) also is being offered.
This nationwide offer is open to nearly 150,000 employees who meet the Office of Personnel Management (OPM)
conditions, and who are at least 50 years of age with 20 years of creditable federal service, or any age with 25 years
of creditable federal service. An annuity estimate will be mailed to all VER-eligible employees starting April 6, 2009.
Another step being taken is instituting a 15% administrative staffing reduction of positions in all remaining 74
district offices.
Postal headquarters already has reduced its employee complement by approximately 15% and the area offices are in
the process of a similar staffing reduction.
At nearly 400 of our mail processing facilities around the country, more than 1,400 supervisor and
management positions are being eliminated.
Reduction in force (RIF) avoidance strategies will be in place for employees impacted by district closings and staffing
reductions.
There are no signs of an early economic recovery. Financial projections call for a continued decline in mail volume and
revenue.
Now, more than ever, we all must look for ways to do our jobs more efficiently and help to continue the service
performance and customer satisfaction improvements we have gained in recent years.
By doing so, we can help ensure that the Postal Service will continue to deliver for America now and in the future.
Additional information — and questions and answers — about all of these new changes can be found under the Hot
Topics section on Blue. VER information can be found under the Hot Topics section on LiteBlue.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

U.S. Postal Service offering early retirement to 150,000 workers


"... would reduce management staff by 15%, which would eliminate more than 1,400 processing, supervisor and management posts at nearly 400 facilities...."    



This Article is From: www.latimes.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Monday, March 9, 2009

The top paying federal government jobs


Article Title: The top paying federal government jobs
Snippet from Article: "...those who are drowning in a sea of advanced degrees and student loan debt, taking a look at government employment might be an attractive option. According to www.payscale.com, physicians working for the Department of Veteran's Affairs had an average salary of $149,845 in 2008. But salaries for VA doctors..."
Source: ohmygov.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Federal Union Boss Calls Limbaugh's Comments 'Unacceptable'


Article Title: Federal Union Boss Calls Limbaugh's Comments 'Unacceptable'
Snippet from Article: "...for his recent comments on President Obama. “Rush Limbaugh had the audacity to announce on national radio, 'I hope he fails.' Imagine anyone saying that. If he fails, our country fails. That is unacceptable," she said during opening remarks at the union's annual legislative conference...."
Source: voices.washingtonpost.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Federal Employee Generosity Shines Again


Article Title: Federal Employee Generosity Shines Again
Snippet from Article: "...Federal employees pledged almost $62.6 million through the Combined Federal Campaign of the National Capital Area (CFCNCA) in 2008, officials announced today. The total pledged amounts to a $1.8 million increase, up nearly 3 percent, over the 2007 pledge total. ..."
Source: www.csrwire.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Monday, February 23, 2009

Unions praise acting chairwoman of labor board


Article Title: Unions praise acting chairwoman of labor board
Snippet from Article: "...Carol Waller Pope, President Obama's choice to becoming acting head of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, is popular with government employee unions, at least two of which recommended her for the job...."
Source: www.govexec.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Anti-Terrorism: Evaluating Federal Air Marshal Service Difficult


Article Title: Anti-Terrorism: Evaluating Federal Air Marshal Service Difficult
Snippet from Article: "...Because the number of air marshals is less than the number of daily flights, FAMS's operational approach is to assign air marshals to selected flights it deems high risk -- such as the nonstop, long-distance flights targeted on September 11, 2001. In assigning air marshals, FAMS seeks to maximize coverage of flights in 10 targeted high-risk categories..."
Source: www.hawaiireporter.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Saturday, February 21, 2009

Pentagon's Personnel System Under Fire


Article Title: Pentagon's Personnel System Under Fire
Snippet from Article: "...personnel system has resulted in "widespread distrust and discontent within the ranks of the hundreds of thousands of dedicated DOD employees." The NSPS has long had a bull's-eye on it back. Federal employee unions have..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Thursday, February 19, 2009

500 more at Yucca face layoffs


Article Title: 500 more at Yucca face layoffs
Snippet from Article: "...The latest round of reductions will bring the project's population to fewer than 900, from a high of about 2,750 three years ago, DOE officials said. Besides the prime contractor and Sandia National Laboratories, there are about 250 federal workers and smaller groups of support personnel. ..."
Source: www.pahrumpvalleytimes.com

Monday, February 16, 2009

FERS Redeposit Act


Article Title: Ex-Workers Could Retain Credit for Federal Service
Snippet from Article: "..."This legislation is about enticing experienced federal employees to return to government service at a time when our nation needs its best and brightest the most," said Rep. James P. Moran Jr. (D-Va.), who introduced the bill on Tuesday. ..."
Source: www.washingtonpost.com
FERS Redeposit Act

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Monday, February 9, 2009

F-22 Design Shows More Than Expected


Article Title: F-22 Design Shows More Than Expected
Snippet from Article: "...Hoping to win support for F-22 production beyond the current 183 aircraft, Lockheed Martin is revealing proprietary data that show performance in several areas is better than baseline requirements...."
Source: www.aviationweek.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Unions press to suspend outsourcing


Article Title: Unions press to suspend outsourcing
Snippet from Article: "...The government’s largest union will press Congress this week to suspend government outsourcing studies until rules are narrowed for what work can be contracted out...."
Source: federaltimes.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]

Monday, February 2, 2009

Federal Employee Performance Evaluations


Article Title: Quotes taken from actual (U.S.) Federal Employee Performance Evaluations
Snippet from Article: "...10. "This employee should go far, and the sooner he starts, the better." 11. "Got a full 6-pack, but lacks the plastic thing to hold it all together." 12. "A gross ignoramus - 144 times worse than an ordinary ignoramus."..."
Source: ohmygov.com

[tag]Federal,Government,Military,Retiree, [/tag]