Monday, April 25, 2011

Hatch Act Reminder for Federal Employees

Article Title: Officials remind federal employees about Obama photos during campaign season

Snippet of Article: "...The Hatch Act prohibits government employees from engaging in political activity while on the job or using government vehicles. The U.S. Office of Special Counsel, which enforces the law, regularly updates its official guidance on the law around campaign season...."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com Hatch Act

Sunday, April 17, 2011

Suspicious boxes found at Federal Reserve Bank in Detroit last week

Article Title: Detroit Police Bomb Squad called into Federal Reserve Bank in Detroit

Snippet of Article: "...The Detroit Police Department Bomb Squad has given the all-clear after being called in to the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago Detroit Branch Monday morning...."

Source: www.wxyz.com Federal Reserve Bank in Detroit

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Paul Ryan is reverse of Robin Hood

Article Title: Paul Ryan's Budget Plan: Trillions for the Rich, Pain for Everyone Else

Snippet of Article: "...The tax cuts that conservatives have been pushing shows that they are not serious about addressing government deficits and debt. What they are serious about is increasing the wealth of the rich...."

Source: www.huffingtonpost.com

Friday, April 15, 2011

Republican budget cuts Federal Pay

Article Title: House passes bill that would cut fed pay, benefits

Snippet of Article: "...The House on Friday passed a Republican budget plan for fiscal 2012 that would freeze federal employees' step increases and pay raises for five years, cut the government's workforce by 10 percent, and require feds to pay much more into their pension plans...."

Source: www.federaltimes.com federal employee pay, Federal Pay Freeze, Federal Step Increase Freeze, Federal Job Cuts,

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

The secret budget ... or protecting the elite ...DC Mayor arrested while protesting

Article Title: Budget cut details hammered out in secrecy

Snippet of Article: "...since they don’t know what the cuts will be and have no input in the process, they have no way of persuading lawmakers to take action.

“It’s very frustrating, because there are no details — we’re all waiting for information,’’ said Geoffrey Beckwith, executive director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association...."

Source: www.boston.com secret budget, budget details, Attacks on working class, DC Mayor arrested, protesting budget,

Sunday, April 10, 2011

Budget Details

Article Title: Schumer: Details of budget cuts arriving Monday

Snippet of Article: "...“The cuts are across the board. Everybody gives some pain,” Schumer said. “But as for the specifics, those are going to be published Monday.”..."

Source: cnn.com budget details, budget cuts,

Friday, April 8, 2011

Shutdown averted

Article Title: Here's How Paul Ryan's Budget Plan Screws Old People

Snippet of Article: "...the vouchers will cover less and less of the costs that Medicare covers today...."

Source: www.businessinsider.com Federal shutdown averted

Will you get paid in a government shutdown?

Article Title: Who gets paid if government shuts down?

Snippet of Article: "...active duty military and civilian government workers could see some of their pay delayed in a shutdown...."

Source: www.pnj.com Government shutdown pay, retirement pay during shutdown,

Government Shutdown News

Article Title: Government Shutdown: What to Expect

Snippet of Article: "...the reality of a possible government shutdown sets in, Washington Wire looks at what to expect from a temporary closure..."

Source: blogs.wsj.com Government shutdown news, Federal Shutdown news, shutdown news

Government shutdown and unemployment

Article Title: Furloughed federal workers can apply for unemployment

Snippet of Article: "...You file in the state in which you work, but it's different in each jurisdiction. ..."

Source: www.wtop.com Federal Government shutdown and unemployment

Government Shutdown: Abortion Agenda or Budget

Article Title: Reid Says Democrats Agree to $38 Billion in U.S. Budget Cuts

Snippet of Article: "...The two sides had agreed on everything but a $300 million cut for Planned Parenthood that House Republicans want included in a budget resolution to carry the government through the rest of the 2011 fiscal year, one Democratic official said earlier today. ..."

Source: www.bloomberg.com Federal Shutdown, Government Shutdown,

Thursday, April 7, 2011

How would a Government Shutdown affect you?

Article Title: How a government shutdown might affect you

Snippet of Article: "...Recipients of entitlement checks such as Social Security and Welfare can also rest easy. The government would continue to send out checks..."

Source: www.examiner.com Federal Shutdown, Government Shutdown, shutdown plans,

Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Guidance and Information on Federal Furlough Website Announced

Article Title: The Potential Impact of a Lapse in Appropriations on Federal Employees

Snippet of Article: "...The President has made it clear that he does not want a government shutdown, and the Administration is willing and ready to work day and night to find a solution that all sides can agree with. That said, given the realities of the calendar, prudent management requires we plan for an orderly shutdown should the negotiations not be completed by the end of the current continuing resolution...."

Source: www.opm.gov/furlough2011 government shutdown guidance, federal employee furlough,

OPM request that federal health insurance programs provide incentives

Article Title: OPM asks health insurers to provide incentives for wellness programs

Snippet of Article: "...told representatives of companies providing coverage through the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program that they should encourage healthy lifestyles by offering “concrete incentives to participate in wellness and prevention activities.”..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com Federal Employees Health Benefits Program

Monday, April 4, 2011

Federal shutdown news

Article Title: Feared federal shutdown is bad, but it's not end of world

Snippet of Article: "...What about the mail? What about the parks and forests? What about our wars?..."

Source: www.greatfallstribune.com federal shutdown

Thursday, March 31, 2011

Requesting Veterans' Service Records

Article Title: Requesting Veterans' Service Records

Snippet of Article: "...Request records online with eVetRecs, Other Methods to Obtain Military Service Records, What's available online?, Locate older (pre-WW I) military service records, Using military records for genealogical research, Other military and veterans records, replace lost or damaged medals and awards ..."

Source: militaryvetnews.blogspot.com

Tuesday, March 29, 2011

White House is telling agencies not to talk about shutdown consequences

Article Title: Federal agencies guarded on possible shutdown plans

Snippet of Article: "...It continued: "Agencies should not be previewing shutdown plans — that is, policy and operational decisions — in any way." Agencies were instructed to clear any responses to questions about their shutdown plans with OMB...."

Source: www.usatoday.com Government shutdown

Sunday, March 27, 2011

AFGE represented employee rights and protections during a government shutdown

Article Title: Union demands concessions in the event of a government shutdown

Snippet of Article: "...the American Federation of Government Employees is taking a proactive approach in its planning, offering its members a detailed explanation of what the union sees as their rights and protections...."

Source: www.govexec.com

Thursday, March 24, 2011

USPS offering $20,000 buyouts, shutting seven district offices

Article Title: USPS to eliminate front-line supervisor positions

Snippet of Article: "...Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe has said will eliminate some 7,500 administrative, postmaster and front-line supervisory positions...."

Source: www.federaltimes.com Postal Supervisor cuts

Sunday, March 20, 2011

S.644 would eliminate pension portion of the Federal Employees Retirement System

Article Title: Senator proposes cuts to federal annuity benefits

Snippet of Article: "...Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., on Thursday introduced a bill (S. 644) that would eliminate the pension portion of the Federal Employees Retirement System for all new government hires beginning in 2013...."

Source: www.govexec.com S. 644

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Federal Shutdown would halt some pay

Article Title: Shutdown would halt military pay

Snippet of Article: "...The memo states all military personnel would have to work without pay. But many civilian employees would be furloughed. ..."

Source: www.federalnewsradio.com

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Postal Workers Settle Union Contract (tentative collective bargaining agreement)

Article Title: Highlights of the New Collective Bargaining Agreement

Snippet of Article: "...COLAs for 2011 were waived, and COLAs for 2012 are deferred until 2013...."

Source: contractnegotiations.blogspot.com

Sunday, March 13, 2011

TSA officer accused of aiding drug suspects

Article Title: TSA officer accused of aiding drug suspects

Snippet of Article: "...The 43-year-old Transportation Security Administration employee was arrested on charges that she provided information to suspected drug traffickers and helped them get past security checkpoints with minimum scrutiny...."

Source: www.buffalonews.com Minnetta Walker, TSA, behavioral detection officer, Buffalo Niagara International Airport

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Threats against a Federal Employee

Article Title: Man Accused of Threatening Federal Employee

Snippet of Article: "...A Port Washington man was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill a Social Security employee over the phone on Wednesday...."

Source: www.longislandpress.com

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