Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Phased Retirement FAQ

Article Title: Phased Retirement: Answers to Some Common Questions

Snippet of Article: "...The Office of Personnel Management announced the long awaited final regulations for the phased retirement program for federal employees late last week. As part of that announcement, OPM has also released a document with answers to some common questions employees are likely to have about this program...."

Source: fedsmith.com Phased Retirement FAQ

Friday, August 8, 2014

Jim Hightower: A Postmaster General who has thrown-in with the privatizers. As PMG, Pat Donahoe...

OPINION: Jim Hightower is a former agriculture commissioner from the state of Texas.

Article Title: JIM HIGHTOWER: Postal Service is far from a loser

Snippet of Article: "...the media keeps reporting that the USPS is losing billions of dollars each year. What they fail to mention is that those are phony paper losses manufactured by Congress at the behest of corporate privatizers...."

Source: www.stwnewspress.com Postmaster General Donahoe, destruction of postal service, Jim Hightower, postal privatization,

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Why is the Postal Service helping UPS and Fedex? ...and doing it so cheaply???

Article Title: For FedEx and UPS, a Cheaper Route: the Post Office

Snippet of Article: "...the flood of these packages has begun to tax the system, and it has raised questions about whether the USPS is charging enough for its service. Even as UPS makes use of the USPS, a UPS executive on the company's earnings conference call last month questioned whether the Postal Service is unfairly cross-subsidizing certain products to offer lower prices. ..."

Source: wsj.com

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

One State Governor is Actually Taking Action in Protecting His State Against Illegal Alien Invasion

Article Title: Gov. Perry Deploys Texas National Guard Troops to Border

Snippet of Article: "...Gov. Rick Perry today directed Texas Adjutant General John Nichols to immediately begin preparations for the deployment of up to 1,000 National Guard troops to the border. These troops will support the Texas Department of Public Safety's (DPS) ongoing law enforcement surge, Operation Strong Safety, which is focused on combatting criminal activity in the region resulting from the federal government's failure to adequately secure the border.

Since 2008, more than 203,000 criminal aliens have been booked into Texas county jails. Over the course of their criminal careers, these individuals have committed more than 640,000 crimes in the state of Texas alone, including more than 3,000 homicides and nearly 8,000 sexual assaults.

"There can be no national security without border security, and Texans have paid too high a price for the federal government's failure to secure our border," Gov. Perry said..."



Source: governor.state.tx.us

Illegal Alien Invasion,

Thursday, July 10, 2014

Chinese hackers broke into the federal Office of Personnel Management computer system

Article Title: Chinese hacked federal employee files

Snippet of Article: "...Chinese hackers broke into the federal Office of Personnel Management computer system in March, apparently targeting tens of thousands of employees who applied for top-security clearance, The New York Times reported...."

Source: www.usatoday.com

Monday, June 30, 2014

FACT SHEET: The White House Summit On Working Families

Article Title: FACT SHEET: The White House Summit On Working Families

Snippet of Article: "... the memorandum will make clear that Federal workers have the “right to request” a flexible work arrangement without fear of retaliation, and will direct agencies to establish procedures for addressing these requests by employees. Finally, it will call for training all employees and their supervisors on the effective use of these tools and will direct the Office of Personnel Management to create a new Workplace Flexibility Index that will be published online and updated annually to measure agencies’ success...."

Source: www.whitehouse.gov Summit On Working Families

Wednesday, June 25, 2014

2015 Federal Pay Raise Update: tiny 1% pay increase possible

Article Title: Senate spending bill leaves door open for 1 percent federal employee raise

Snippet of Article: "...The Senate has started to advance a spending bill that keeps the road clear for a 1 percent federal employee pay raise in January, while boosting available funds for the IRS and several other agencies above the levels favored by the House...."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com 2015 federal pay raise,

Saturday, June 14, 2014

Labor Department proposed a rule Thursday to raise minimum wage for employees of federal contractors

Article Title: Labor Department Moves to Raise Minimum Wage for Federal Workers

Snippet of Article: "...The Labor Department proposed a rule Thursday to raise the minimum wage for employees of federal contractors to $10.10 an hour, fulfilling an executive order President Barack Obama signed in February. Labor Secretary Tom Perez said the wage increase will benefit about 200,000 workers who don't already make at least $10.10 an hour..."

Source: wsj.com

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

2014 Federal Employees Almanac is a must-have reference for your federal employment, federal benefits eligibility, and retirement planning

Article Title: 2014 Federal Employees Almanac

Snippet of Article: "...The 2014 Federal Employees Almanac is a must-have reference for your federal employment, federal benefits eligibility, and retirement planning. Unlike other "handbooks" that are printed far too early to be accurate and up-to-date, the Almanac is not sent to press until federal employee policy changes affecting your career for the next year have been issued by the federal government. The Almanac is the complete reference for all your federal employment questions!..."

Source: federaldaily.com

Federal employee arrested in bomb-planting case

Article Title: Federal worker arrested in bomb-planting case

Snippet of Article: "...A U.S. Army Corps of Engineers employee faces federal charges after allegedly planting at least two explosive devices in Madera County earlier this year. ..."

Source: www.mercedsunstar.com Federal employee

Monday, June 9, 2014

Title 5 of the United States Code: Know your Rights


Article Title: Know Your Rights As A Federal Employee To Avoid Unfair Treatment

Title 5 of the United States Code
Title 5 of the United States Code
Snippet of Article: "...As much as Uncle Sam seeks to be a model employer, the realities of the federal workplace and the actions of individual supervisors can fall short. That’s why it’s important for federal employees to know their workplace rights...."
Source: www.fedsmith.com

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Phased Retirement to finally start this year for some

Article Title: OPM promises phased retirement to start this year

Snippet of Article: "...Under OPM’s draft plan released in 2013, employees who are eligible for retirement and meet other requirements could work half-time while getting half of their pension. As they continue to work, phased retirees also will keep accruing additional service credit toward their final pensions...."

Source: www.federaltimes.com Phased Retirement

Sunday, June 1, 2014

NSA Facial Recognition Collection Program


Article Title: NSA said to collect millions of images for facial recognition

Snippet of Article: "...The agency is using sophisticated software to harvest "millions of images per day" from emails, text messages, social media, videoconferences, and other communications, according to the documents. Once focused primarily on collecting telephone and email communications data, NSA officials believe the programs hold "tremendous untapped potential" that could revolutionize..."
Source: www.cnet.com NSA Facial Recognition Collection Program

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Leave Libya Immediately, Says US State Department to US Citizens


Article Title: US tells its citizens to leave Libya amid unrest

Snippet of Article: "...The US has warned its citizens to leave the country, saying Libya is "unstable and unpredictable"... The US state department has warned any American citizens in Libya to leave the country immediately. ..."
Source: www.bbc.com Libya Travel Warning, Department of State,

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Federal Employee Pay Raise in 2015?

Article Title: Lawmakers want 3.3 percent pay raise for federal workers in 2015

Snippet of Article: "...A pair of Democratic senators has introduced legislation that would give federal employees a 3.3 percent pay raise in 2015...."

Source: al.com

Tuesday, May 20, 2014

EcommerceBytes: eBay blaming the Postal Service for delivery failures

Article Title: eBay Customer Service Reps Fault Sellers for Using USPS

Snippet of Article: "...With eBay's new defect rate breathing down their necks, sellers are calling eBay to ask why it will penalize them for late deliveries or missing packages, which are outside their control - and eBay is placing the blame directly on sellers for using the USPS...."

Source: www.ecommercebytes.com

Thursday, May 15, 2014

CDC: Arabian Peninsula Travel and MERS

Article Title: MERS in the Arabian Peninsula

Snippet of Article: "...If you are traveling to countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula,* CDC recommends that you pay attention to your health during and after your trip. You should call a doctor right away if you develop fever and symptoms of lower respiratory illness, such as cough or shortness of breath, within 14 days after traveling from countries in or near the Arabian Peninsula. Tell the doctor about your recent travel. CDC does not recommend that travelers change their plans because of MERS. ..."

Source: cdc.gov MERS in the Arabian Peninsula,

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Costs tied to some of NASA's largest space programs

Article Title: Is NASA masking billions in costs tied to some of its largest space programs?

Snippet of Article: "...As noted by the GAO, the limited scope that the agency has chosen for constructing preliminary and baseline cost estimates means the estimates are unlikely to serve as a way to measure progress and track cost growth over the life of the programs...."

Source: www.bizjournals.com

Sunday, May 4, 2014

The Ryan budget plan would impact people age 56 and younger

Article Title: Beware of Candidates' Misleading Appeals

Snippet of Article: "...The Ryan budget plan would impact people age 56 and younger. We all have family members and former co-workers under the age of 55. There is no justification for cutting their benefits. We know that as we age, we need our medical benefits more than ever. Let’s tell Congress that they can fix the national deficit by increasing taxes on the wealthy...."

Source: www.apwu.org

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

A great federal employee recruitment technique: New hires will owe retroactive pension contribution payments

Article Title: New Feds Will Owe the Government Retroactive Pension Contribution Payments …

Snippet of Article: "...workers hired in 2014 will owe back payments retroactive to when they came on board. These debts will be collected from the employees’ paychecks in up to $25 increments until the balance is paid back in full. ..."

Source: www.govexec.com

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

The Postal Service seems to think it can do whatever it wants; YOUR historic Post Offices are being sold!

Article Title: ACHP to report on disposal of historic post offices this week; the sales go on

Snippet of Article: "...Individual communities have had an equally hard time getting information from the Postal Service. Rather than cooperating with communities, the Postal Service seems to think it can do whatever it wants. For example, the La Jolla Historical Society said that its efforts to get involved with purchasing the post office were stymied at every step, even with members of Congress trying to help. ..."

Source: www.savethepostoffice.com Historic Post Offices for sale,

Monday, April 14, 2014

5% pay cut and an end to social security supplement? That's what your politicians want for federal workers

That's ok federal workers! Just continue to keep silent and don't worry about writing the president and your congressmen and this will happen.

Article Title: House approves budget that would save money by taking from federal workers

Snippet of Article: "...Ryan’s plan would make the majority of federal employees pay 5.5 percentage points more toward their retirement program with no increase in benefits. Rep. Chris Van Hollen (Md.), the top Democrat on the Budget Committee, called this “a straight-out 5 percent pay cut.”..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Sunday, March 30, 2014

Federal workers would get a 3.3% pay increase under legislation

Article Title: Proposed Bill Would Give Federal Employees a 3.3% Raise

Snippet of Article: "...Federal workers would get a 3.3% pay increase under legislation proposed today by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA). Connolly said that federal workers deserve a fair raise ..."

Source: www.fedsmith.com

Sunday, March 16, 2014

Army sends fake email warning of a security breach in federal retirement plans

Article Title: Gone phishing: Army uses Thrift Savings Plan in fake e-mail to test cybersecurity awareness

Snippet of Article: "...An ominous e-mail message landed in the inboxes of a small group of U.S. Army employees last month, warning of a security breach in their federal retirement plans and urging them to log in and check their accounts...."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com phishing, Thrift Savings Plan

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

For Official Use Only: Adobe unsolicited mailing

Article Title: Adobe’s Gift of Solar Phone Chargers Prompts a Pentagon Inquiry

Snippet of Article: "...The Navy Criminal Investigative Service is looking into the unsolicited mailing last month of the devices by Adobe, the largest maker of graphic-design programs, to about 100 defense workers as gifts, according to an Army memo labeled “For Official Use Only.” ..."

Source: www.businessweek.com

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

USAJOBS mobile app - official app for searching for federal employment on USAJOBS


Article Title: USAJOBS mobile app - official app for searching for federal employment on USAJOBS

USAJOBS App
USAJOBS App
Snippet of Article: "...App users can search jobs, track application status and connect to USAJOBS social media pages while away from their computers. This app..."
Source: Android and iPhone Apps and News USAJOBS mobile app, USAJOBS.GOV,

Sunday, February 23, 2014

TSA recognized baggage lock; A Red Tab alerts you if opened by TSA


Article Title: TSA recognized baggage lock; A Red Tab alerts you if opened by TSA

Snippet of Article: "...Makes it easy to reset the inspection status & lock combination and protect your possessions whenever you travel. The TSA logo alerts screeners, who can open and relock your bag using codes and secure tools, and allows TSA screeners to inspect and relock..."
Source: TSA recognized baggage locks from Amazon

Friday, February 21, 2014

President's new budget will not contain 'chained Consumer Price Index' proposal

Article Title: Obama dumping chained CPI, which feds, employee groups strongly opposed

Snippet of Article: "...Unlike his 2014 budget proposal, the President's new budget will not contain a proposal to calculate cost-of-living increases for federal retirees and Social Security recipients using a "chained Consumer Price Index."..."

Source: www.federalnewsradio.com chained CPI

Tuesday, February 18, 2014

Save us from Social Security cut! Send a quick message please

Article Title: No Chained CPI

Snippet of Article: Article Snip: "...We cannot break our promise to our seniors. These are benefits they earned over a lifetime. Our parents and grandparents put their faith in us, and we will not let them down. Please use this link to send a message to the president...."

Source: ourfuture.org Chained CPI

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

Senate Moves 'Clean' Debt Bill Forward; Federal Minimum Wage Increase


Article Title: Senate Moves 'Clean' Debt Bill Forward; Federal Minimum Wage Increase

Five-Day S&P 500 Index (CNN)

Debt Ceiling Raised until 2015

This extends the Treasury's borrowing authority without any more raping of the American working class to satisfy the 'extreme' wealthy. However, huge tax breaks and protections for the extreme wealthy are still protected. The debt ceiling is raised until 2015. Anticipation of the debt ceiling increase has led to a five-day change to the S and P 500 Index to an increase of 3.76% (at the time of this post).

Federal Minimum Wage for Contract Workers Raised

On this same date, the President Obama has raised the minimum wage for federal contract workers to $10.10 per hour starting next year in an attempt to set an example for private and corporate entities. The president also complimented Costco for providing decent wages and advancement opportunities.
Source: The Federal Newsgroup
Federal Minimum Wage, Debt Ceiling Raised,

Monday, February 3, 2014

Federal employee retirement eligibility boom could produce mission-critical skills gaps

Article Title: Fed-worker retirement eligibility to skyrocket by 2017, report says

Snippet of Article: "...The GAO concluded that the large numbers of retirement-eligible employees in coming years may be a cause for concern because “their retirement could produce mission-critical skills gaps if left unaddressed.”..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Congress screws blue-collar federal employees again but took care of white-collar feds, as congress takes another holiday break

Article Title: Feds will soon see first pay raise in three years - but not all will benefit

Snippet of Article: "...the modest pay raise only applies to white-collar employees under the General Schedule system. Some 200,000 blue-collar federal workers at places such as the departments of Defense and Veterans Affairs as well as the U.S. Bureau of Prisons, will not see a similar increase in pay. ..."

Source: www.federalnewsradio.com

Sunday, December 15, 2013

HHS says they don't trust Rep. Darrell Issa

Article Title: HHS to Darrell Issa: We don’t trust you

Snippet of Article: "...The Health and Human Services Department told House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Darrell Issa that it won’t turn over documents related to the security of the Healthcare.gov website because it can’t trust him to keep secret..."

Source: www.politico.com Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Health and Human Services (HHS),

Wednesday, December 11, 2013

Budget agreement will not require additional contributions toward retirement by any current federal employees, but...

Article Title: Budget deal protects current feds, while new workers will pay more toward retirement

Snippet of Article: "...Federal employees hired after Jan. 1 will make higher contributions toward their retirement benefits than current workers under a budget deal announced Tuesday night...."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com Federal Employee Retirement,

Sunday, December 8, 2013

2014 sequester cuts may be coming

Article Title: Sequester in 2014 will be worse, report warns

Snippet of Article: "...options will be harder to come by if a second round of sequester cuts strikes early next year, a liberal-leaning think tank warns in a new report...."

Source: www.federaltimes.com

Friday, December 6, 2013

Update on stolen Cobalt-60: 6 people in hospital for possible radiation poisoning


Article Title: 6 hospitalized in Mexico for possible radiation poisoning

Cobalt-60 [Wikipedia]
Cobalt-60 [Wikipedia]
Snippet of Article: "...Cleaning up the area could take weeks, he said, because they don't have robotic equipment they would need to quickly collect the dangerous cobalt. They're coming up with a plan and considering asking for help from the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United States or Canada...."
Source: www.cnn.com cobalt-60, International assistance provided by the United States of America, International Atomic Energy Agency,

Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Some FEHB plans increase more than others; watch for out-of-pocket increases

Article Title: Why are some feds’ health-insurance premiums increasing more than others’?

Snippet of Article: "...Plans with the lowest rate increases include Kaiser standard option (less than $1 per pay period for a self-enrollment) and Samba standard option (no increase at all). Mail Handlers standard option actually decreased. ..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com Mail Handlers standard option insurance, Kaiser standard option insurance,

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Are late night mail deliveries responsible for shooting?

Article Title: Postal Worker Shot, Killed in Cheverly

Snippet of Article: "...There have been complaints in recent months that postal carriers are having to deliver mail later in the day, sometimes after it is dark...."

Source: www.nbcwashington.com

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

NHTSA Tesla investigation


Article Title: Feds investigate Tesla fires: Elon Musk's idea? NHTSA disputes that

Tesla Model S
Photo courtesy of Tesla
Snippet of Article: "...Federal safety regulators opened a probe into a series of fires in Tesla Motors Inc. electric cars following crashes...."
Source: www.latimes.com NHTSA Tesla investigation