Obama Administration Increases Solid Federal Jobs, Many Taking Care of Military Personnel

Article Title: Drudge Ignores That Many New Federal Employees Take Care Of Veterans

Snippet of Article: "...the increase in federal jobs are a result of defense spending, including an increase in hiring associated with caring for military personnel returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Examining claims about increased federal employment, PolitiFact found that "all told, national defense, assisting veterans, and protecting the national borders account for close to 90% of all federal civilian employee growth." ..."

Source: mediamatters.org

Federal government’s heaviest smoker

Article Title: Booze, smokes focus of quirky federal agency

Snippet of Article: "...These are the scientists, rule-makers and trade ambassadors of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, one of the federal government’s least-known and most peculiar corners...."

Source: www.delawareonline.com

Federal Agencies to Protect Indian Sacred Sites

Article Title: Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and Interior Sign Memorandum to Collaborate to Protect Indian Sacred Sites

Snippet of Article: "..."Protecting America's air and water and our nation's heritage is an important part of the Energy Department's commitment to Tribal Nations across the country, particularly those that are neighbors to the Department's National Laboratories, sites and facilities," said Energy Secretary Steven Chu. "I look forward to continuing this important work and collaborating with other federal agencies and Tribal Nations to protect Indian sacred sites throughout the United States." ..."

Source: www.usda.gov

GOP still pushing for federal employee pay freezes and reductions

Article Title: House GOP continues to push federal employee pay and benefits reforms

Snippet of Article: "... House GOP leaders on Monday reiterated their belief that reductions to federal employees’ compensation should be part of a deal to decrease the deficit. Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio,..."

Source: www.govexec.com

Postal Service awards $30m contract to firm it is suing for $390m

Article Title: USPS awards $30m contract to firm it is suing for $390m

Snippet of Article: "...The US Postal Service has awarded a $30m contract to Northrop Grumman Corporation at the same time it is attempting to sue the company over breaches of another contract, seeking a nine-figure sum...."

Source: postandparcel.info Postal Service, why is the Postal Service going broke?,

Did the $5.9 million federal gun grant do any good?

Article Title: Did the $5.9 million federal gun grant make region safer?

Snippet of Article: "...eight Northern Ohio cities with a $5.9 million grant and the creation of an Ohio Gun Crime Center. The Justice Department gave the grant to the group, which included Cleveland, Akron, Toledo, Youngstown, Lorain, Elyria, Canton, Mansfield and state and federal agencies...."

Source: www.cleveland.com

GOP’s Sen. Bob Corker proposes cuts to federal workforce

Article Title: Union slams proposed cuts to federal workforce from GOP’s Sen. Bob Corker

Snippet of Article: "...the proposals, which Corker has shared with Congressional leaders and the White House, do not represent serious solutions for avoiding the fiscal cliff. He criticized the plan for “relying heavily on federal workforce cuts.”..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

NASA workers most satisfied federal employees

Article Title: NASA workers are most satisfied federal employees

Snippet of Article: "..."Stresses on public servants - including continued tight budgets and pay freezes - are reflected in our Global Satisfaction indicator, even while more than two-thirds of employees recommend their organization as a good place to work," says Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry, in a letter attached to the survey results. ..."

Source: www.wtop.com

Fiscal cliff divers should be prepared for jump in defense sector

Article Title: Levin: Defense employees should be worried about sequestration

Snippet of Article: "...Sen. Carl Levin (D-Mich.) warned on Sunday that those employed in the defense industry should be worried about the possibility of sequestration...."

Source: www.politico.com

New Federal employee whistle blower Law will strengthen protections

Article Title: New whistleblower law will significantly strengthen federal employee protections

Snippet of Article: "...The legislation provides millions of federal workers with the rights they need to safely report government corruption and wrongdoing. "After a 13 year rollercoaster campaign..."

Source: www.climatesciencewatch.org Whistleblower Protection Enhancement Act

Government Liquidation (GL): surplus and scrap assets of the United States Department of Defense

Article Title: Government Liquidation (GL): surplus and scrap assets of the United States Department of Defense

Snippet of Article: "...Government Liquidation (GL), a Liquidity Services, Inc. marketplace is the exclusive contractor of the DLA Disposition Services for the sale of surplus and scrap assets of the United States Department of Defense (DOD). GL operates an innovative and powerful online sales channel that enables surplus buyers to purchase available government assets in a convenient and open environment. GL utilizes world-class logistics, technology, marketing and customer service capabilities to assemble and promotes available property for the convenience of its buyers. With over 500 different commodity categories and thousands of surplus items added weekly to our inventory,..."

Source: www.govliquidation.com Government surplus,

TSA employees overwhelmingly ratify contract

Article Title: TSA Workers Ratify First Union Contract

Snippet of Article: "...“This agreement will mean better working conditions, fair evaluation practices and safer workplaces, and in doing so, it will improve morale. This is important because low morale leads to unsafe levels of attrition in an agency where a stable, professional workforce of career employees is vital to its national security mission...."

Source: www.afge.org

Petraeus affair leads to FBI search

Article Title: FBI says agents at the home of Petraeus' lover

Snippet of Article: "...FBI agents are at the North Carolina home of the woman whose affair with retired general David Petraeus led to his resignation as CIA director...."

Source: www.usatoday.com

Was Petraeus affair a security breach?

Article Title: Friend: Petraeus began affair after taking CIA job

Snippet of Article: "...Concerned that emails Petraeus exchanged with Broadwell raised the possibility of a security breach, the FBI brought the matter up with him directly, according to the official..."

Source: www.chicagotribune.com Petraeus

WARN Act: What is it?

Article Title: The Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act

Snippet of Article: "...WARN offers protection to workers, their families and communities by requiring employers to provide notice 60 days in advance of covered plant closings and covered mass layoffs. This notice must be provided to either affected workers or their representatives (e.g., a labor union); to the State dislocated worker unit; and to the appropriate unit of local government...."

Source: www.doleta.gov WARN Act

Time to review healthcare and insurance at OPM.gov

Article Title: Time to review healthcare and insurance at OPM.gov

Snippet of Article: "...Federal employees, retirees and survivors can choose coverage from the widest selection of health plans in the country. ..."

Source: www.opm.gov

Sequestration, the WARN Act and Federal employees (Iowa)

Article Title: WARN Act: Sequestration gives layoff law a day in the sun

Snippet of Article: "...Job loss estimates due to sequestration include 48,059 jobs in health care, 98,953 in construction, 473,250 in manufacturing and 617,449 federal positions...."

Source: thegazette.com WARN Act

federal agencies and organizations that service federal employees are beginning to reopen

Article Title: What's closed and what's open for federal employees?

Snippet of Article: "...Federal government buildings in the D.C. area will reopen Wednesday, according to the Office of Personnel Management. Unscheduled leave and telework will be in effect...."

Source: www.federalnewsradio.com

Non-emergency federal employees will be granted excused absence Monday in Washington, DC, Area

Article Title: Non-emergency federal employees will be granted excused absence Monday in Washington, DC, Area

Snippet of Article: "...Non-emergency employees (including employees on pre-approved paid leave) will be granted excused absence (administrative leave) for the number of hours they were scheduled to work unless they..."

Source: Federal Employee News

Ryan theme: Reliance on the federal government is bad

Article Title: Ryan’s Family Firm Gains From Government Spending He Criticizes

Snippet of Article: "...Paul Ryan, the Republican vice presidential candidate, may reprise a favorite campaign theme in his debate with Vice President Joe Biden tonight: Reliance on the federal government is bad...."

Source: www.businessweek.com Paul Ryan,

Baggage worker allegedly steals $20,000 from Federal Reserve

Article Title: Airport Worker Charged with Stealing from $96 Million Federal Reserve Shipment

Snippet of Article: "...An airport baggage handler allegedly pilfered a tiny fraction of the $96 million shipment of cash being hauled to New Jersey..."
Source: time.com

Your Job and the Election

Article Title: Obama extends pay freeze on federal workers

Snippet of Article: "...President Obama plans to extend the pay freeze for federal workers through next March, and then they would get a meager 0.5% increase...."

Source: cnn.com

The election and your job

Article Title: Romney-Ryan would target federal workers

Snippet of Article: "...Both Romney and Ryan have made it clear that they think federal workers are one reason the nation's deficit is too high, and have talked about shrinking payrolls and cutting benefits...."

Source: cnn.com Romney, Ryan,

USAJOBS Top Ten FAQ

Article Title: USAJOBS Top Ten FAQ

Bone up on your USAJOBS knowledge to advance your career, change jobs, or to learn information to assist your family and friends get federal employment.

Source: usajobs.gov

Twenty Seven (27) pay periods for federal employees this year

Article Title: Federal employees will have 27 pay periods in 2012

Snippet of Article: "...Nearly all federal civilian employees will have an extra pay period for leave accrual this year. According to a memo from Angela Bailey, OPM’s Associate Director for Employee Services, the leave year for most federal employees began on January 1, 2012 and will end on January 12, 2013...."

Source: www.asmconline.org

2013 Federal Employee Retirement COLA announced

Article Title: Federal retirement COLA of 1.7 percent announced

Snippet of Article: "...Federal retirees will receive an inflation adjustment of 1.7 percent in January, translating to about a $50 increase in the average monthly payment under the annuity program for most of them...."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com Federal Retirement COLA 2013

Excused Absence for Voting

Article Title: Excused Absence for Voting

Snippet of Article: "...This memorandum provides agencies with information on the Federal Government’s longstanding policy of granting employees limited time off from work (i.e., excused absence) to vote in Federal, State, county, or municipal elections, or in referendums on any civic matter in their community. The head of each agency (or his or her designee) has discretion to grant excused absence in limited circumstances under his or her broad authority to govern, unless otherwise prohibited by law. Agencies have discretionary authority to grant excused absence to the extent that such time off does not interfere with agency operations, including the ability to adjust policies to circumstances as they unfold. Typically, polling places throughout the United States are open for extended periods of time, and an increasing number of jurisdictions are offering early voting options. Therefore, excused absence should rarely be needed.Agencies should consider the following guidelines when creating their policies on excused absence for voting in the upcoming election...."

Source: www.chcoc.gov

2012 APWU early retirement incentive approved

Article Title: APWU, USPS Negotiate Retirement Incentive

Snippet of Article: "...The APWU has negotiated a retirement incentive agreement that awards eligible full-time career employees a $15,000 payment in two installments, President Cliff Guffey has announced. The first installment will be $10,000; the second will be $5,000...."

Source: www.apwu.org 2012 early retirement, APWU retirement incentive,

The White House Cyber Attack That Really Wasn't ...or was it?

Article Title: White House Hack Attack

Snippet of Article: "...“In this instance the attack was identified, the system was isolated, and there is no indication whatsoever that any exfiltration of data took place,” the official said. The official said there was no impact or attempted breach of a classified system within the office...."

Source: freebeacon.com White House cyber attack, cyber spearphishing,

2013 pay raise

Article Title: Federal employee issues deferred by Congress

Snippet of Article: "...a 0.5 percent raise in April, while federal employee unions are pushing for such an increase to be made retroactive to the start of 2013. ..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com 2013 federal salaries, 2013 Federal Pay Increase, 2013 Federal Pay Raise, federal worker pay,

2013 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Premium Rates

Article Title: 2013 Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Premium Rates

Snippet of Article: "...On average, FEHB Program enrollees with self only coverage will pay $2.75 more per bi-weekly pay period, and enrollees with family coverage will pay $6.39 more. Premiums for Health Maintenance Organizations will increase an average of 5.3 percent, while Fee-for-Service plans will see an average increase of 3.0 percent...."

Source: www.opm.gov 2013 FEHBP rates

2013 COLA estimate for federal retirees

Article Title: Budget office makes 2013 COLA prediction

Snippet of Article: "...The newest estimate comes as CBO was putting a price tag on S 2259, the Senate’s version of a bill to increase veterans’ disability and survivor benefits by the same COLA paid to Social Security recipients. The House of Representatives already has passed a similar bill, HR 4114, in July...."

Source: www.marinecorpstimes.com 2013 COLA

Your shrinking paycheck

Article Title: FEHBP up 7.2% in two years, did your pay go up that much?

Federal workers' healthcare premiums to rise 3.4 percent

Snippet of Article: "...The average premium for federal employees will rise 3.4 percent next year, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) announced Thursday. The increase translates to an extra..."

Source: Federal Retirement News FEHBP

Romey wants to reduce federal workforce, align federal pay

Article Title: Romney outlines $500 billion in annual pay, workforce, program cuts

Snippet of Article: "..."I will look to sharply increase the productivity of Washington by reducing federal government employment by 10 percent through attrition, by combining agencies and departments to reduce overhead, by cracking down on the $115 billion a year in improper payments in government programs, and by aligning government compensation with that of the private sector," Romney told the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce...."

Source: www.govexec.com

Federal Prison Industries (FPI)

Article Title: Two American Companies Layoff Hundreds Of Workers: Military Uniform Contracts Awarded To Prison Inmates

Snippet of Article: "...Alabama-based American Apparel was forced to close one plant and downsize at others due to the loss of contracts to prison inmates, according to company spokesman and retired Air Force Colonel Kurt Wilson. A total of 190 employees had their hours cut and 255 others were laid off this year.
Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/333741/two-american-companies-layoff-hundreds-of-workers-military-uniform-contracts-awarded-to-prison-inmates/#60cIUdGz7tUp0rOk.99
..."

Source: www.inquisitr.com

Pay raise freeze unfair to federal employees

Article Title: Unions vow to fight extended pay freeze in spending bill

Snippet of Article: "...It is absolutely unfair to federal employees to delay the pay raise until the expiration of the CR. Federal employees bear no responsibility for the inability of the House and Senate to reconcile ..."

Source: thehill.com Pay raise

Bomb threat closes down several blocks in downtown Kansas City

Article Title: Man says bomb threat was huge misunderstanding

Snippet of Article: "...the man who walked into a downtown federal office building Friday and said something about being on the government's terrorist watch list...."

Source: www.kfdi.com

Sequestration could lead to 270,000 lost federal jobs

Article Title: White House misses sequestration deadline; DoD will see 11% cut

Snippet of Article: "...All in all, sequestration could lead to 270,000 lost federal jobs throughout the government, and the furloughs of thousands more.

“And that’s just the first installment,” said Doug Criscitello, a former chief financial officer at the Housing and Urban Development Department and current managing director at Grant Thornton. “There’s nine of them [years of cuts]...."

Source: www.federaltimes.com

Airline Birthday Prank - FBI informs airline of alleged security threat

Article Title: US Airways security threat hoax was 'pretty nasty trick' played on passenger, officials say

Snippet of Article: "...The man taken off the jet and questioned was the victim of a hoax, apparently performed because Thursday was his birthday, officials said. ..."

Source: nbcnews.com

Unfair labor practice filed against EPA

Article Title: AFGE files unfair labor practice against EPA for firing scientists

Snippet of Article: "...The American Federation of Government Employees filed an unfair labor practice charge with the Federal Labor Relations Authority, saying the firings of the two employees and disciplinary actions against two other employees were to "chill employees in the exercise of their rights to participate with the union." The scientists worked for the Ecosystems Research Division of the EPA's National Exposure Research Lab. ..."

Source: www.federalnewsradio.com