Thursday, March 10, 2011

Postal Service will not cut 30,000 but expects reductions of 30,000 this year

Article Title: Despite reports, Postal Service not cutting 30,000 jobs

Snippet of Article: "...In response to declining mail volume, the Postal Service has cut more than 230,000 positions in recent years by implementing hiring freezes, offering early retirement packages or through attrition...."

Source: washingtonpost.com USPS early retirement packages

Postal Service to cut 30,000 by end of year

Article Title: Postal Service to cut 7,500 positions this month, 30,000 by end of year

Snippet of Article: "...He said the Postal Service will use attrition and early retirement offers to reach that number and is weighing whether to use buyouts as well. If the Postal Service resorts to using a buyout offer, it will be targeted and not organizationwide, he said...."

Source: www.federaltimes.com Postal Early Retirement 2011

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

U.S. Marshals Shot

Article Title: Two U.S. Marshals and One Cop Wounded in Shootout

Snippet of Article: "...The U.S. Marshals service announced the agent had succumbed to his wounds and died, but later retracted the statement to say he was in critical condition. ..."

Source: abcnews.go.com

Saturday, March 5, 2011

Reservist Income Replacement Program for Federal Employees

Article Title: Reservist Income Replacement Program for Federal Employees

A memorandum was released on 3/3/2011 to heads of executive departments and agencies relating to 'Recent Pay-Related Legislative Changes'. The memo identifies several changes in Federal employee pay administration resulting from the enactment of the Ike Skelton National Defense Authorization Act for FY 2011 (Public Law 111-383, January 7, 2011). The following is the text of the memo relating to Reservist Income:

  • Sections 601 and 611 amend the Reserve Income Replacement Program authority under 37 U.S.C. 910. The Reserve Income Replacement Program is administered by the Department of Defense and provides income replacement payments for certain reserve component members experiencing extended and frequent mobilization for active duty service.

    Subsection 601(a) amends 37 U.S.C. 910(b) to clarify that a civilian employee of the Federal Government who is also a member of a reserve component is not entitled to a payment under section 910(b) for any period for which the employee is entitled to (1) a reservist differential payment under 5 U.S.C. 5538, or (2) a comparable benefit under an administratively established program for civilian employees absent from a position of employment with the Federal Government in order to perform active duty in the uniformed services.

    Subsection 611(7) amends 37 U.S.C. 910(g) to extend the expiration date for the Reserve Income Replacement Program from December 31, 2010 to December 31, 2011.

  • Source: http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=3567 Reservist Income Replacement

    Tuesday, March 1, 2011

    Government Shutdown Avoided

    Article Title: House Passes Stopgap Spending Bill, Averting Shutdown

    Snippet of Article: "...Passage of the short-term measure will set a two-week time frame for negotiations on a bill to keep the government running through Sept. 30. The White House and leaders of both parties in both houses will be involved in the talks...."

    Source: www.cnbc.com

    TSP enrollment up, new fund...

    Article Title: TSP sees boost in overall enrollment, new fund participation

    Snippet of Article: "...Thrift Savings Plan is continuing to see growth in its new investment fund, along with overall federal employee participation, officials said on Monday..."

    Source: www.govexec.com federal employee TSP

    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