Saturday, February 26, 2011

Challenging government sponsorships of pro sports

Article Title: Reg Wydeven column: Government sponsorships of professional sports challenged

Snippet of Article: "...During the glory days of Lance Armstrong's professional cycling career, the U.S. Postal Service spent $31.9 million to sponsor his racing team from 2001 to 2004. This amounted to approximately 65 percent of the team's total budget and may help explain part of the USPS' $7 billion deficit..."

Source: Federal Employee News, Pro Sports and Government Money

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

House passes bill to cut 800,000 Federal Jobs

Article Title: Perlmutter blasts House for passing bill to cut 800,000 federal jobs

Snippet of Article: "...The Colorado delegation voted strictly on party lines, with all four Republicans voting in favor of the bill and the three Democrats voting in opposition...."

Source: coloradoindependent.com

Will Dems Give In to Republican Cuts to Avoid Shutdown?

Article Title: Government Shutdown Chicken

Snippet of Article: "...Republicans meanwhile are planning to send a short term budget to the Senate, with some cutbacks in it, to keep the government running for 30 days, daring Democrats to allow a government shutdown...."

Source: ajc.com

Friday, February 18, 2011

Politicians Attacking Federal Employee Unions

Article Title: Lawmakers move to halt step increases, other raises for rest of year

Snippet of Article: "...Another Rokita amendment would bar federal employees from being paid for time spent working for or on behalf of a union or other labor organization...."

Source: www.federaltimes.com

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents Shot in Mexico

Article Title: 2 ICE Agents Shot, 1 Killed in Mexico

Snippet of Article: "...two U.S. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) agents were shot in the line of duty today approximately 100 miles outside Mexico City...."

Source: www.cbsnews.com

Federal Marshals Shot

Article Title: Federal Marshals Wounded in Elkins

Snippet of Article: "...Three deputy U.S. Marshals are recovering from gunshot wounds suffered Wednesday morning in the line of duty. ..."

Source: www.wvmetronews.com Federal Marshals

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Federal jobs offer options

Article Title: Federal jobs offer options

Snippet of Article: "..."Across the country, there has been a renewed interest in federal jobs," said Andrew Harper, the internship coordinator at the St. Edward's University Career Planning office. "The millennial generation has indicated in research that they want to have a purpose or make a difference in their careers."..."

Source: www.hilltopviewsonline.com Federal Employment

Saturday, February 12, 2011

Feds support social media freedom of speech

Article Title: Feds settle case of woman fired over Facebook site

Snippet of Article: "...Employers should think twice before trying to restrict workers from talking about their jobs on Facebook (News - Alert) or other social media...."

Source: tmcnet.com

Monday, January 31, 2011

Pay Under the General Schedule and Recruitment, Relocation, and Retention Incentives

Article Title: Pay Under the General Schedule and Recruitment, Relocation, and Retention Incentives

Snippet of Article: The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing
proposed regulations to improve oversight of group recruitment
incentive determinations and all retention incentives; add succession
planning to the list of factors that an agency may consider before
approving a retention incentive; provide that OPM may require data on
recruitment, relocation, and retention incentives from agencies on an
annual basis; and make additional minor clarifications and corrections.

DATES: Comments must be received on or before March 8, 2011.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by RIN number ``3206-
AM13,'' using either of the following methods:
Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. Follow the
instructions for submitting comments.
Mail: Jerome D. Mikowicz, Deputy Associate Director, Pay and Leave,
Employee Services, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Room 7H31, 1900
E Street, NW., Washington, DC 20415-8200.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carey Jones by telephone at (202) 606-
2858; by fax at (202) 606-0824; or by e-mail at pay-leave-policy@opm.gov.

Source: Federal Register

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Impersonating Federal Employees

Article Title: Three Arrested for Impersonating Federal Employees in Immigration Scam

Snippet of Article: "...The Office of the Nevada Attorney General, in cooperation with State and Federal authorities, Friday arrested three people in connection with a nationwide immigration scam that entailed impersonating Federal employees of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). ..."

Source: www.kolotv.com

Friday, January 21, 2011

Federal Workforce Cuts?

Article Title: Spending Reduction Act of 2011

Snippet of Article: "....Federal Workforce Reforms: Eliminate automatic pay increases for civilian federal workers for five years. Additionally, cut the civilian workforce by a total of 15 percent through attrition. Allow the hiring of only one new worker for every two workers who leave federal employment until the reduction target has been met...."

Source: house.gov

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Federal Worker Furloughs?

Article Title: Two GOP freshmen to handle federal worker issues

Snippet of Article: "...The future of federal pay and benefits could be especially contentious. President Obama last year ordered a two-year pay freeze for all federal employees, but the bipartisan deficit commission and several Republican lawmakers want to use a three-year pay freeze, furloughs and attrition to cut the government's payroll by billions of dollars in the next decade. ..."

Source: washingtonpost.com

Friday, January 7, 2011

U.S. Defense Department budget cuts mean layoffs

Article Title: U.S. Defense Department budget cuts mean layoffs in Michigan

Snippet of Article: "...Michigan Sen. Carl Levin, who chairs the Senate Armed Services Committee, said in a statement that the commandant of the Marine Corps recommended that the EFV program be terminated..."

Source: www.mlive.com Defense cuts, defense layoffs,

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Are big mailer discounts bankrupting the Postal Service?

Article Title: Are big mailer discounts bankrupting the Postal Service?

Snippet of Article: "...The OIG found that the Postal Service’s “justifications for 19 workshare discounts that exceed avoided costs by approximately $104 million were not supported by detailed documentation.” ... Noting that more than 80 percent of the mail the USPS delivered in Fiscal Year 2008 received workshare discounts totaling $15 billion..."

Source: Postal News Network USPS workshare discounts

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

The top federal civilian workforce stories of 2010

Article Title: The top federal civilian workforce stories of 2010

Snippet of Article: "...federal civilian workforce. Last year was a mixed bag for federal employees, and the biggest news wasn't good for them. ..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com federal civilian workforce

Monday, January 3, 2011

Prepare to use your sick days

Article Title: Prepare to use your sick days

Snippet of Article: "...with a graying national workforce, employers may have to be more accommodating of illness and disability in the years ahead.

A December report in the Journal of Gerontology casts some doubt on the whole notion that the baby boomers and everyone behind them will live longer as well as healthier lives...."

Source: www.reporternews.com Sick Leave Stats

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Federal budget requests are a good resource for job seekers

Article Title: 2011 government agency budget requests are a good resource for job seekers

Snippet of Article: "...If you're looking for a job, you may want to cozy up with U.S. government agencies' 2011 federal budget requests. Although not exactly light reading, they make a terrific resource for job seekers, according to a story in the Washington Post.
..."

Source: www.mlive.com Government agency employment

Friday, December 31, 2010

FBI age discrimination alleged

Article Title: FBI sued over alleged age discrimination

Snippet of Article: "...The lawsuit, filed this month in D.C. federal court, claims an FBI policy that limits the term limit of field office squad supervisors to five years is aimed at removing supervisors over 40 years old. ..."

Source: www.federalnewsradio.com Federal age discrimination

Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Pay freeze stops cost-of-living allowances (COLA) for two years

Article Title: Federal Employee Pay Freeze Expanded

Snippet of Article: "...the pay freeze stops cost-of-living allowances (COLA) for two years, it does not, according to the Federal Times, affect normal step increases or bonuses for those in the system. The 1.4 million federal employees on the GS scale are still eligible for increases..."

Source: www.advisorone.com 2011 COLA, 2012 COLA, Federal Employee Pay Freeze, Federal employee salaries,

Monday, December 27, 2010

Federal Officer Indicted for Gun Smuggling and...

Article Title: FEDERAL OFFICER INDICTED FOR SMUGGLING GUNS AND MONEY THROUGH ATLANTA AIRPORT; 13 OTHERS INDICTED FOR DRUG TRAFFICKING

Snippet of Article: "...A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer based at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport was arrested and charged along with 13 others for alleged drug trafficking in a ..."

Source: www.thecypresstimes.com Federal Gun Smuggler, Operation Rude Beast

Thursday, December 23, 2010

50 years of federal service

Article Title: 50 years of federal service

Snippet of Article: "...“People still want their mail,” said Pacha. “All we have to offer is service to our customers and I have always tried to provide that over the years.”
..."

Source: usps.gov Rich Pacha,

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

8a Business Development Program

Article Title: 8a Business Development Program

Snippet of Article: "...Information for 8a businesses and 8a business development including qualifications, ... 8(a) Firm to Compete Below the Competitive Threshold (Federal Agency ... Electronic 8(a) Certification and Annual Review System Users Guide ..."

Source: www.sba.gov Federal 8a Program

Federal Agency Proposes Posted Notice of the Right to Unionize

Article Title: U.S. Proposes Posted Notice of the Right to Unionize

Snippet of Article: "...The National Labor Relations Board said on Tuesday that it would require companies to post notices on their bulletin boards — and perhaps send out e-mail— to inform employees of their right to unionize under federal law. ..."

Source: www.nytimes.com

Monday, December 20, 2010

IRS Agent Gets Nearly 3 Years for Soliciting Bribe

Article Title: IRS Agent Gets Nearly 3 Years for Soliciting Bribe

Snippet of Article: "...33 months in prison for soliciting a $9,700 bribe from..."

Source: www.courthousenews.com Roger Anthony Coombs, IRS Federal worker,

Friday, December 17, 2010

DoD Seeks Comments on Federal IT Worker Job Swap

Article Title: DoD Seeks Comments on Federal IT Worker Job Swap

Snippet of Article: "...in the reverse, workers in the private sector of equivalent rank will be able to work within the government for the same period of time...."

Source: www.executivegov.com Information Technology Exchange

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

OPM's New Telework Policy

Article Title: AFGE Endorses OPM's New Telework Policy

Snippet of Article: "...policy that allows federal employees to telework on an unscheduled basis when severe weather conditions or other circumstances prevent employees from reporting to work in the Washington D.C. area. With this new policy, employees can continue to perform their job functions to keep the government running without being tied to their office...."

Source: www.prnewswire.com OPM's New Telework Policy

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

For Federal Employees

Article Title: USA.GOV for Federal Employees

Snippet of Article: "...Find resources on benefits, pay, policies, training, travel, collaboration, information technology, and more...."

Source: www.usa.gov Federal Employee benefits, pay, policies, training

Sunday, December 12, 2010

Federal Salary Council's Recommendations for Locality Pay in 2012

Article Title: Federal Salary Council's Recommendations for Locality Pay in 2012 (PDF Document)

Snippet of Article: "...As authorized by the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990 (FEPCA), we present our recommendations for the establishment or modification of pay localities, the coverage of salary surveys conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for use in the locality pay program, the process of comparing General Schedule (GS) pay to non-Federal pay, and the level of comparability payments for January 2012...."

Source: www.opm.gov 2012 Locality Pay

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

federal surplus equipment employee on paid leave during investigation

Article Title: State employee on paid leave after search at surplus site

Snippet of Article: "...employee in charge of finding federal surplus and getting it to qualified recipients, Vern Jones, chief procurement officer for the Division of General Services, said Friday...."

Source: www.adn.com
federal surplus property

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

Miami Postal Worker Shot

Article Title: Postal Worker Shot in Biscayne Gardens

Snippet of Article: "...discovered a male postal worker shot several times...."

Source: www.nbcmiami.com Postal worker shot, postal shooting, postman shot in Miami, Miami postal shooting,

Federal employees strike back

Article Title: Federal employees strike back

Snippet of Article: "...A quick check of salary.com, for example, reveals that my private sector counterparts earn somewhere between 35 percent and 50 percent more than I do! What I can’t tell from my rudimentary research is whether they spend the same number of nights, weekends, holidays and special occasions away from their families...."

Source: www.gazette.com Federal Pay Freeze

Monday, December 6, 2010

Google, Unisys Gain Cloud Email Momentum In Federal Government

Article Title: Google, Unisys Gain Cloud Email Momentum In Federal Government

Snippet of Article: "...In the process, GSA claimed to be the first federal agency to move e-mail into the cloud on an agency-wide basis. Unisys partners with Google, Tempus Nova, and Acumen Solutions...."
Source: www.mspmentor.net

Sunday, December 5, 2010

Could fed pay freeze hurt nation's cyber security efforts?

Article Title: Could fed pay freeze hurt nation's cyber security efforts?

Snippet of Article: "...But the military faces steep competition from its web of defense contractors, companies including Booz Allen Hamilton, Computer Sciences Corp., and Northrop Grumman Corp., for that top-tier-tech talent. In many cases, those companies are able to pay more than Uncle Sam, and the proposed federal pay freeze could make it that much harder for Cyber Command to recruit..."
Source: Baltimore Business Journal federal pay freeze, federal cyber security,

Friday, December 3, 2010

Bipartisan Debt Commission Fails to Get the Votes

Article Title: Bipartisan Debt Commission Fails to Get the Votes

Snippet of Article: "...it failed to get the 14 votes from its members required to send its proposal to Congress, according to media reports. The 59-page program of recommendations to slash the deficit by $4 billion over 10 years had something in it to offend everyone..."

Source: www.dailyfinance.com Federal Employee Pay, Federal Pay Freeze

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

President freezes federal employee locality pay at 2010 levels

Locality Pay Frozen!

Article Title: Letter from the President Regarding an Alternative Pay Plan

Snippet of Article: "...Under the authority of section 5304a of title 5, United States Code, I have determined that the current locality pay percentages in Schedule 9 of Executive Order 13525 of December 23, 2009, shall not increase from their 2010 levels. Pursuant to the Non Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act of 2009 (sections 1911 1919, Public Law 111 84), I am also establishing applicable 2011 locality pay rates for Alaska and Hawaii that are based on 2010 locality pay levels...."

Source: www.whitehouse.gov


2011 Locality Pay, Federal employee locality pay, locality pay freeze, Federal Alternative Pay Plan,

Van Hollen Criticizes Obama’s Pay Freeze for Federal Workers

Article Title: Van Hollen Criticizes Obama’s Pay Freeze for Federal Workers

Snippet of Article: "...“By focusing exclusively on federal employees, the administration runs the risk of reinforcing the myth, pushed by some for politically convenient but cynical reasons, that America suffers from a federal government comprised of unproductive and overpaid civil servants,” Mr. Van Hollen said. “Nothing could be further from the truth.”..."

Source: wsj.com Federal pay freeze, Rep. Chris Van Hollen,

Federal Employee Union Denounces Attack on Working Class

Article Title: AFGE DENOUNCES OBAMA ADMINISTRATION PROPOSAL TO FREEZE PAY

Snippet of Article: "...Obama asks federal workers to share the sacrifice, but it’s unconscionable for him to attack the wages of federal working people while the millionaires and billionaires on Wall Street not only get their bailouts and astronomical bonuses; they also get their tax cuts,” concluded Gage...."

Source: www.afge.org Federal employee pay freeze

Monday, November 29, 2010

Postmaster General gets 'quarter-million dollars in incentive pay in 2010

Article Title: Postmaster General gets 'quarter-million dollars in incentive pay in 2010

Snippet of Article: "...Postal Service recently announced $8.5 billion in losses for 2010. Nonetheless, it paid Mr. Potter $228,088 in extra incentive pay..."

Source:The Washington Times via The Postal Briefing

Postal executive pay

2011 and 2012 Federal Employee Pay Freeze

Article Title: Obama proposes freezing federal civilian pay

Snippet of Article: "...Federal civilian employees' pay would be frozen in 2011 and 2012 under a proposal..."

Source: www.marketwatch.com federal civilian pay freeze, federal employee pay, federal worker pay freeze, 2011 federal civilian pay freeze,2012 federal civilian pay freeze,

Article Title: I Am Thankful for TSA Workers

Snippet of Article: "...TSA workers have one of the worst jobs in America. Reports and surveys by the Department of Homeland Security's inspector general show morale among TSA workers is at record lows for the federal workforce..."

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com TSA, Department of Homeland Security,