Tuesday, October 26, 2010

Postal Union Grows Impatient With Pace of Contract Talks

Article Title: Postal Union Grows Impatient With Pace of Contract Talks

Snippet of Article: "...As expected, USPS proposals have included efforts to maximize supervisory control of the workplace and reduce costs by removing previously negotiated contractual protections.

However, to date, management has not presented its proposals on the central contractual issues of wages, benefits, protection against layoffs, seniority, and workforce structure. When these proposals are presented, we expect them to be consistent with the propaganda we have heard so frequently in recent months..."

Source: www.apwu.org Postal Unions

Sunday, October 24, 2010

FEHB Open Season 2011

Article Title: fehb open season 2011

Snippet of Article: "...The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced that this year’s open season for health benefits, dental and vision insurance, and Flexible Spending Accounts will run from November 8 through December 13, 2010...."

Source: Federal Employee News fehb open season 2011, Federal Employee News

Federal employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot

Article Title: Federal employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot

Snippet of Article: "...For years, blue-collar federal employees received different wages than white-collar federal employees although they work the same hours at the same facilities, Mr. Kanjorski said. ..."

Source: thetimes-tribune.com

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Pentagon to Fight Domestic Cyberattacks

Article Title: Pentagon Will Help Homeland Security Department Fight Domestic Cyberattacks

Snippet of Article: "...Under the new rules, the president would approve the use of the military’s expertise in computer-network warfare, and the Department of Homeland Security would direct the work. ..."

Source: www.nytimes.com Pentagon, computer-network warfare,

Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA)

Article Title: Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA)

Snippet of Article: "...The Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA), 5 USC Chapter 81, provides compensation benefits to Federal employees for work-related injuries or illnesses, and to their surviving dependents if a work-related injury or illness results in the employee’s death...."

Source: www.doi.gov Federal Employees’ Compensation Act (FECA)

Tuesday, October 19, 2010

How Did Two Bullets Graze the Most Secure Building in America?

Article Title: CSI Pentagon: How Did Two Bullets Graze the Most Secure Building in America?

Snippet of Article: "...At least two of the bullets contacted Pentagon windows, director of the Pentagon Force Protection Agency, Steven Calvery said at a Tuesday news conference...."

Source: newsfeed.time.com Pentagon Shooting, Shots hit Pentagon, Pentagon Force Protection Agency

Shots hit Pentagon; temporary lockdown

Article Title: Shots hit Pentagon; temporary lockdown

Snippet of Article: "...Someone fired shots at the Pentagon early Tuesday, hitting..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Saturday, October 16, 2010

CPI-W 2010

CPI-W September 2010

Article Title: CPI-W 2010

Snippet of Article: "...The Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers. (CPI-W) increased 1.4 percent over the last 12 months to an index level of 214.306 (1982-84=100). For the month, the index was unchanged prior to seasonal adjustment. ..."

Source: www.bls.gov

Friday, October 15, 2010

Locality Pay

Article Title: General Schedule Locality Pay Areas

Snippet of Article: "...On behalf of the President's Pay Agent, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management is issuing interim regulations on the locality pay program for General Schedule employees. The interim regulations establish separate locality pay areas for the States of Alaska and Hawaii and extend coverage of the Rest of U.S. locality pay area to include American Samoa, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, the Territory of Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and all other U.S. possessions listed in 5 CFR 591.205, applicable on the first day of the first pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2011...."

Source: www.federalregister.gov Locality Pay, Federal Pay,

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

AFGE National President John Gage Statement on FEHBP Premium Increases

Article Title: AFGE National President John Gage Statement on FEHBP Premium Increases

Snippet of Article: "...FEHBP's largest plan, the Blue Cross Blue Shield Standard Option, will charge enrollees 6.9% more for self coverage and 7.6% more for family coverage. "While we are pleased to see that these increases are smaller than those in 2010, they are still too high...."

Source: www.afge.org

Sunday, October 10, 2010

There's a law that bars federal employees from running for office?

Article Title: There's a law that bars federal employees from running for office?

Snippet of Article: "...The Hatch Act prohibits almost all federal employees in the executive branch from being political candidates. Here's how the law..."

Source: www.csmonitor.com

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Supreme Court weighs need for background checks for NASA scientists

Article Title: Supreme Court weighs need for background checks for NASA scientists

Snippet of Article: "...Federal civil service employees have faced background checks since 1953. The checks were expanded to federal contractors in 2005...."

Source: www.csmonitor.com

Sunday, September 26, 2010

Health care reform and Federal Workers

Article Title: Health care reform brings big changes for workers and their families

Snippet of Article: "...the evidence is overwhelming that once again, federal employees are being blamed for the slumping economy because some news outlet misread salary data and insisted that federal employees are significantly overpaid compared with private-industry employees...."

Source: fredericksburg.com

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

TSP L 2010 Fund to close

Article Title: TSP L 2010 Fund to close Article Snip: On December 31, the L 2010 Fund will be closed. If you have investments in the L 2010 Fund, they will be moved to the L Income Fund on December 31. If you have allocated any portion of future contributions Reference: www.tsp.gov

Sunday, September 19, 2010

Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey 2010

Article Title: Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey 2010

Snippet of Article: "...Results from the 2010 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, FedView Report by Demographics, FedView Report by Agency, FedView Report on Demographic Questions by Agency, ..."

Source: www.fedview.opm.gov

Saturday, September 18, 2010

...Federal Employees Who Owe Taxes To Pay Up Or Lose Jobs

Article Title: Senator Coburn Wants Federal Employees Who Owe Taxes To Pay Up Or Lose Jobs

Snippet of Article: "...Senate Bill 3790 would make federal employees who have seriously delinquent tax debts ineligible for federal employment...."

Source: www.newson6.com

Monday, September 13, 2010

FBI Support Services Technician Job Announcement Closes September 15, 2010

Article Title: FBI Support Services Technician Job Announcement Closes September 15, 2010

Snippet of Article: "...The FBI is like no other career choice you've explored. It's challenging, compelling, and important. Whatever your background or expertise, you will find an FBI future exceptionally rewarding because the work you perform will have a daily impact on the nation's security and the quality-of-life for all U.S. citizens. Your career at the FBI will also include great benefits, see federal benefits highlighted below...."

Source: usajobs.gov

Sunday, September 12, 2010

1935: Federal jobs program works to save Dunn County soil

Article Title: 1935: Federal jobs program works to save Dunn County soil

Snippet of Article: "...Eighteen projects in soil conservation in Dunn County await action from the CCC lads when they arrive at the Menomonie camp, located in the old mule pasture, north of Wakanda Park...."

Source: www.dunnconnect.com

Tuesday, August 24, 2010

2011 Federal Employee Pay Raise

Article Title: Panel Passes 1.4 Percent Pay Raise

Snippet of Article: "...in line with the change in the private sector's wages from September 2008 to September 2009, according to the Labor Department's Employment Cost Index...."

Source: wiredworkplace.nextgov.com

Monday, August 23, 2010

Federal Employment and Student Loans

Article Title: Gov't repaying more student loans for employees

Snippet of Article: "...The federal government's loan repayment program started in 2002 as a recruitment and retention tool. Agencies can make repayments up to $10,000 annually, with maximum payouts of $60,000, but workers must sign an agreement to work for at least three years. ..."

Source: washingtonpost.com

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

2010 Census was $1.6 billion under budget

Article Title: 2010 Census was $1.6 billion under budget

Snippet of Article: "...It's still unknown exactly how much will go back to the government because census operations are scheduled to continue through the end of September, but officials said it will be no less than $1.6 billion. Congress will have the final say on where the money goes...."

Source: washingtonpost.com

Monday, July 26, 2010

U.S. federal agents nationwide bilked by brazen Ponzi scheme

Law enforcement agencies actually paid crook to sponsor “seminars” used to hook his marks

Article Title: U.S. federal agents nationwide bilked by brazen Ponzi scheme

Snippet of Article: "...A rumor now popular among some federal law enforcement agents casts a bit of bitter irony over McLeod’s fate, indicating that he killed himself with a pistol given to him by the DEA to commemorate his years of service to the agency...."

Source: narcosphere.narconews.com

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

Fired USDA official receives apologies from White House, Vilsack

Article Title: Fired USDA official receives apologies from White House, Vilsack

Snippet of Article: "...In the snippet of video on Breitbart's Web site, Sherrod, who is black, admitted to having been reluctant to help a white farmer who sought her aid 24 years before, when she was working for a nonprofit agency established to help black farmers. ..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

Stamp Increase ...any early retirement offers to reduce numbers?

Stamp prices going up again - 46-cent rate asked

"...Under the proposed increases, in addition to the 46-cent rate for the first ounce, the cost for each additional ounce would go up a penny to 18 cents. The cost to mail a postcard would go up 2 cents to 30 cents...."    postal news

This Article is From: www.federalnewsradio.com

Friday, June 11, 2010

The ten biggest errors federal employees make, pt. 2

Article Title: The ten biggest errors federal employees make, pt. 2

Snippet of Article: "...What are the 10 biggest mistakes feds make when planning for retirement? Ed Zurndorfer is a registered employee benefit consultant. He's come up with a list...."

Source: www.federalnewsradio.com

Friday, June 4, 2010

Woman retires after nearly 65 years as a federal employee

Article Title: Woman retires after nearly 65 years as a federal employee

Snippet of Article: "...Edena Wood had thought about it for years but finally decided it was time to leave after nearly 65 years as a federal employee. ..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Tuesday, May 25, 2010

Federal Employee Credit Card Abuse

Article Title: No Consequences for Government Employees Who Charged Massive Shopping Spree to Taxpayers

Snippet of Article: "...Paige said since the last GAO report on the issue there’s been an “explosion” in the number of government purchase cards, with 300,000 federal employees currently carrying them. By turning a blind eye when they are abused, she says, the government is inviting more of the behavior...."

Source: www.foxnews.com

Monday, May 10, 2010

New Report Reveals U.S. Federal Data Security Vulnerabilities and Opportunities for Improvement

Article Title: New Report Reveals U.S. Federal Data Security Vulnerabilities and Opportunities for Improvement

Snippet of Article: "...According to the Federal File Transfer Report, Federal employees are exposing data to cyber criminals. Though 71 percent of Federal IT and information security professionals are concerned with Federal file transfer security, 54 percent admit they do not currently monitor for FTP..."

Source: www.earthtimes.org

Saturday, May 8, 2010

Federal Government Employment and Windfall Elimination

Article Title: Federal Government Employment and Windfall Elimination

Snippet of Article: "...this provision affects Social Security ­benefits when any part of a person’s federal service after 1956 is covered under the Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS). However, federal service where Social Security taxes are withheld (Federal Employees’ Retirement System) will not reduce your Social Security benefit amounts. The Windfall Elimination Provision may apply if:..."

Source: www.ssa.gov

Gates seeks big cuts in military spending

Article Title: Gates seeks big cuts in military spending

Snippet of Article: "...The Defense secretary invokes Dwight Eisenhower as he calls for spending reductions in military healthcare and the command structure. He wants to cut $10 billion to $15 billion from a $547-billion Pentagon base budget...."

Source: www.latimes.com

Federal Employee Case Law Spotlight: Security Clearance

Article Title: ADAMS v. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Snippet of Article: "...was employed as an Information Technology Specialist with the Security Intelligence Operations Directorate of the Missile Defense Agency ("MDA"). His position required him to maintain a Top Secret security clearance with access to Sensitive Compartmented Information. By letter dated April 2, 2009, the Defense Intelligence Agency ("DIA")..."

Source: www.leagle.com This disposition is nonprecedential.

OPM tests letting feds work without a schedule

Article Title: OPM tests letting feds work without a schedule

Snippet of Article: "...In the effort to attract and retain a new generation of federal workers, what can the federal government offer beyond a steady paycheck and good fringe benefits? ..."


Source: www.federalnewsradio.com

Friday, May 7, 2010

How to get a Federal Government Job

Article Title: How to get a job in the Federal Government [PDF Document]

Snippet of Article: "...With more than 1.7 million jobs and over 400 occupational specialties (excluding postal service and military workers), the Federal Government offers more choices than any other single employer in the United States. Whatever your interest and back- ground, you can probably find a Government career to match. People get jobs in the Federal Governmentin the same way..."


Source: www.pueblo.gsa.gov

Federal TSA Worker Defends Himself After Alleged Harassment by Coworkers

Article Title: Suspicious Package: TSA Worker Jailed After Junk Joke

Snippet of Article: "...He told police he had been made fun of by coworkers on a daily basis. "[Negron] stated he could not take the jokes anymore..."


Source: www.nbcmiami.com


More Reading: TSA Office of Civil Rights, Article Snip: "With a zero tolerance for harassment, illegal"

Health law’s heavy impact

Article Title: Health law’s heavy impact

Snippet of Article: "...Requires single people earning $200,000 or more and couples earning $250,000 or more to pay an additional 0.9 percent in Medicare taxes.
Tax on Home Sales. Imposes a 3.8 percent tax on home sales and other real estate transactions. Middle-income people must pay the full tax..."


Source: www.spokesman.com

Wednesday, April 28, 2010

Joke's on you! Federal Workers' Kids Not Yet Eligible On Parents' Plan

Article Title: Federal Workers' Kids Not Yet Eligible On Parents' Plan


Snippet of Article: "...The federal employee health insurance program has announced that it is unlikely this year to offer young adults the ability to remain on their parents' policies until the age of 26. That means the government, which is the largest employer in the nation, will not follow the lead of some private insurance companies that will begin offering such coverage to young adults by June 1. ..."


Source: www.npr.org

Friday, April 23, 2010

Air marshal charged in gunpoint rape of Seattle woman

Article Title: Air marshal charged in gunpoint rape of Seattle woman

Snippet of Article: "..."The defendant used his position as a federal air marshal and his government-issued firearm to commit this crime," Senior Deputy Prosecutor Charles K. Sergis told the court. "He raped the victim and by threatening her with his gun and claiming she had to do what he said because he is an air marshal."..."

Source: www.seattlepi.com

Monday, April 19, 2010

How Much Should a Government Employee Make?

Article Title: How Much Should a Government Employee Make?


Snippet of Article: "...Which is why PolitiFact was surprised by Scott Brown's claims, which after fact-checking, proved false. Brown used Cato Institute numbers that put the average federal employee's salary at $79,197, compared to $50,028 in the private sector. It's easy to tell right away that those salaries aren't double, contrary to Brown's claim on This Week on Jan. 31, but PolitiFact did even more digging. ..."


Source: www.prospect.org

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Lisha Adams becomes first woman named overall Civilian of the Year by AUSA chapter

Article Title: Lisha Adams becomes first woman named overall Civilian of the Year by AUSA chapter


Snippet of Article: "...Among her responsibilities, Adams - who has more than 27 years of government experience - manages a military, civilian and contractor work force of more than 800 with an annual operating budget of more than $700 million...."


Source: al.com
Lisha Adams

Monday, April 5, 2010

Federal Worker Telework Increases...

Article Title: Better job applicants, hired faster, is OPM goal


Snippet of Article: "...When it comes to telework, Berry wants to increase by 50 percent the number of eligible federal workers who telework over the 2009 baseline level of 102,900.

He called telework an essential part of OPM's effort to improve work-life flexibilities..."


Source: fredericksburg.com