Monday, December 5, 2011

Another postal shooting (Montgomery, Alabama)

Article Title: Post office shooting suspect charged with Attempted Murder

Snippet of Article: "...postal worker carried two guns into the mail room at the post office and fired several shots. The suspect, 29-year-old Arthur Lee Darby Jr...."

Source: eastmontgomery.wsfa.com Postal Shooting

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Weakening of the federal retirement safety net

Article Title: Baby Boom Retirement: Financial Security Fades

Snippet of Article: "...it's vital to fend off any weakening of the federal retirement safety net..."

Source: www.theledger.com
federal retirement safety net, Medicare, Social Security,,

Monday, November 28, 2011

Federal records management system gets attention

Article Title: Obama wants better digital archive of federal records

Snippet of Article: "...announcement could be a boon for the Archives, which is facing a multi-year reorganization and earned the lowest ratings of any large federal agency in a recent survey of federal employees...."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Guidance issued by OPM on workforce restructuring

Article Title: OPM issues guidance on workforce restructuring

Snippet of Article: "...A memo from OPM Director John Berry includes information for chief human capital officers on buyouts, early retirement packages, layoffs and reassignments...."

Source: www.govexec.com

Friday, November 25, 2011

Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings

Article Title: Getting federal employees and managers on the same page

Snippet of Article: "...listed No. 1 in this year’s Best Places to Work in the Federal Government rankings, had been rated 25th out of 30 large agencies six years ago. ..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Federal Employee health care open season begins

Article Title: 'Open season' begins for federal employee health care

Snippet of Article: "...Even if a federal employee is happy with current health insurance, officials say it's probably a good idea to do at least a little research during "open season," which began Monday and runs through Dec. 12...."

Source: www.army.mil

Friday, November 11, 2011

USPS proposed health plan likely to cost agency more

Article Title: USPS proposal to leave federal health benefits program questioned

Snippet of Article: "...The U.S. Postal Service’s proposal to withdraw from the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program likely will cost the cash-strapped agency more money, according to a health insurance expert...."

Source: gnom.es

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Complete ban on smoking in Federal Buildings

Article Title: Bill Aims to Snuff Smoke Spots in Fed Buildings

Snippet of Article: "...President Bill Clinton banned smoking in most federal offices by executive order in 1997. The order allowed for the establishment of smoking rooms...."

Source: www.newsmax.com

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

federal contracting bribery sentences

Article Title: 11 sentenced in federal contracting bribery scheme

Snippet of Article: "...Eleven employees and contractors with the U.S. General Services Administration, which manages basic services and buildings for federal agencies, have been sentenced in contracting bribery schemes...."

Source: www.ktul.com

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

2012 Federal Retiree COLA 3.6 percent (FERS is less)

Article Title: Federal retirees to get COLA increase

Snippet of Article: "...those who retired under the Federal Employees Retirement System and who are eligible for COLAs will receive 1 percentage point less. The FERS system generally doesn’t pay inflation adjustments until age 62..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com 2012 COLA, 2010 Retiree COLA, Federal Retirement COLA 2012,

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Federal Disability Retirement

Article Title: FERS and CSRS Federal Disability Retirement: Understanding the Practical Application of a Theoretical Construct

Snippet of Article: "...In preparing, formulating and filing a Federal Disability Retirement application under FERS or CSRS, the world of reality should necessarily intersect with the theoretical construct, if one is to be successful in the endeavor. Success, ultimately, is defined by an approval of a Federal Disability Retirement application, either under FERS or CSRS, from the Office of Personnel Management or..."

Source: www.fedsmith.com Federal Disability Retirement

Federal Employee Buyout for the federal National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)

Article Title: NREL offers voluntary buyouts to employees

Snippet of Article: "...Masson said the lab currently doesn’t have plans to start forced layoffs if enough people don’t take the voluntary buyout, which includes provisions for severance pay and medical benefits...."

Source: www.bizjournals.com Federal Employee Buyout

Saturday, October 15, 2011

Federal Employee pay freeze for third year being considered

Article Title: Senators call for extending federal pay freeze for third year

Snippet of Article: "...Congress should freeze the pay of federal employees for a third year and retool calculations of their retirement benefits to help pay down the federal deficit, two senators responsible for federal personnel issues said Friday...."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Rep. John Duncan Jr., R-Tenn., says Federal Employees Should not get early retirement

Article Title: Lawmaker urges end to early federal retirement

Snippet of Article: "...Rep. John Duncan Jr., R-Tenn., said in a letter last week to members of the congressional super committee. "As much as American lifespans have increased, we simply cannot afford to allow people to draw federal pensions at such young ages." ..."

Source: www.govexec.com

Monday, October 3, 2011

How are 'Federal Workers' going to protect their meager wages, Social Security, minimum wage laws and federal agencies against multi-billionaire ideologies?

Article Title: Koch Brothers Flout Law With Secret Iran Sales

Snippet of Article: "...In 1980, David Koch ran for vice president on the Libertarian ticket, pledging to abolish Social Security, the Federal Reserve System, welfare, minimum wage laws and federal agencies -- including the Department of Energy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Central Intelligence Agency. ..."

Source: www.bloomberg.com
Social Security, the Federal Reserve System, welfare, minimum wage laws, Department of Energy, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Central Intelligence Agency,

How are 'Federal Workers' going to protect their meager wages, Social Security, minimum wage laws and federal agencies against multi-billionaire ideologies?

Federal agencies at cyber risk

Article Title: GAO: Federal data at cyber risk

Snippet of Article: "...the report finds that the actions of federal employees — sometimes intentional and at other times accidental — can also pose cybersecurity risks to the government..."

Source: www.politico.com cyber threats, data security,

Monday, September 26, 2011

Federal Employees Leave Transfer Act of 2011

Article Title: Congressmen Introduce “Federal Employees Leave Transfer Act of 2011”

Snippet of Article: "...Once enacted, federal employees will be permitted to donate their excess sick leave to agency leave banks, augmenting currently established annual leave banks. ..."

Source: moran.house.gov

Friday, September 23, 2011

a House recommendation would require federal employees to pay half the defined pension benefit

Article Title: Deficit reduction pain for federal employees could be worse, some say

Snippet of Article: "...For example, the version of the fiscal 2012 budget resolution the House passed included a recommendation that would require federal employees to pay for half the defined benefit they receive with their pensions at retirement. ..."

Source: www.govexec.com
federal worker retirement, federal pensions,

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Army Material Command offers buyouts

Article Title: Buyouts beginning at Army

Snippet of Article: "...Army Materiel Command today said it is offering $25,000 buyouts to 33 civilian employees in its headquarters..."

Source: Federal Retirement News Army Materiel Command, Federal Employee Buyouts, Federal Employee Early Retirement, Voluntary Erarly Retirement Federal Retirement News

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Government is outsourcing some functions that shouldn’t be outsourced

Article Title: Gov’t contractors cost far more than federal workers

Snippet of Article: "...Government is outsourcing some functions that shouldn’t be outsourced at all. In many cases, outsourced functions are so specialized, with so few legitimate bidders for the job, that pricing competition is non-existent. You’re essentially seeking bids from a monopoly industry. ..."

Source: ajc.com
Government outsourcing

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Service to America Medals

Article Title: Top-notch federal workers honored for their service

Snippet of Article: "...The Service to America Medals — considered one of the most prestigious honors a civilian federal employees can receive — honored workers nominated by their peers for their work in the worlds of science, the military, national intelligence, justice, the environment and other government services...."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com
Service to America Medals

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Postal Service Announcement Expected Thursday, September 15, 2011

Article Title: Postal Service Announcement

Snippet of Article: "...On September 15, 2011, the U.S. Postal Service has reported it will release to the media an announcement identifying a list of Area Mail Processing Feasibility Studies for..."

Source: The Postal Newsgroup Area Mail Processing Feasibility Studies

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

More attacks on Federal Pay

Article Title: Obama's New Economic Chief Understands Federal Employee Pay

Snippet of Article: "...Early in his academic career, Krueger performed innovative work comparing the wages of federal employees to those of private sector workers...."

Source: www.weeklystandard.com Council of Economic Advisors, Alan Krueger,

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Federal Workers Sharing 9-11 Stories

Article Title: Federal workers share their post-9/11 realities

Snippet of Article: "...asked federal workers to share their stories of how the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001 changed their lives as government employees. ..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Health plans for Congress same as all federal employees

Article Title: PolitiFact: Health plans for Congress same as all federal employees

Snippet of Article: "...The same buffet of plans is available to federal government workers and members of Congress. They pick the plan that is best for them, and they pay the same price. In short, there is no discount for members of Congress, or their staffs...."

Source: www.tampabay.com

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Federal diversity initiative

Article Title: OPM chief discusses new diversity initiative

Snippet of Article: "...Berry on Monday cited OPM's previous accomplishments bringing in veterans and people with disabilities, speeding the hiring process and simplifying the recruitment process as evidence that the new diversity program will work. ..."

Source: www.govexec.com
Federal diversity initiative

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Snail mail to slow to a graveyard speed?

Article Title: Slower mail could save Postal Service $1.5B

Snippet of Article: "...Postal executives are seriously considering the idea and are expected to announce new plans regarding delivery schedules after Labor Day, according to USPS officials...."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com
Snail Mail, Postal Disservice, Destruction of the Postal Service, Postmaster General Donahoe,

Monday, August 15, 2011

Even Warren Buffett realizes tax inequity

Article Title: Stop Coddling the Super-Rich By WARREN E. BUFFETT

Snippet of Article: "...while most Americans struggle to make ends meet, we mega-rich continue to get our extraordinary tax breaks. Some of us are investment managers who earn billions from our daily labors but are allowed to classify our income as “carried interest,” thereby getting a bargain 15 percent tax rate. ..."

Source: www.nytimes.com

GAO study on federal long-term care insurance

Article Title: Akaka releases GAO study on federal long-term care insurance

Snippet of Article: "...“The rate increases raised serious concerns about the management of the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program and poor OPM oversight and communication with enrollees,” Akaka said. “As the need for long-term care has increased..."

Source: www.hawaii247.com

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Postal Service wants to destroy union contracts and layoff 120,000

Article Title: APWU Condemns USPS Proposals To Destroy Collective Bargaining, Crush Postal Workers

Snippet of Article: "...“The APWU will vehemently oppose any attempt to destroy the collective bargaining rights of postal employees or tamper with our recently-negotiated contract,” Guffey said. “Crushing postal workers and slashing service will not solve the Postal Service’s financial crisis...."

Source: www.apwu.org

Thursday, August 4, 2011

Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood is a hero to the American working class and the FAA

Article Title: Congress makes FAA deal: Ends needless layoffs. LaHood worked "24/7" for deal

Snippet of Article: "..."Congress' failure to reach a deal to extend FAA authorization before going home this week is no way to run a government. We can have our political battles, but we should not have them at the expense of working Americans."..."

Source: suntimes.com Transportation Sec. Ray LaHood, FAA,

American workers applaud Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood for speaking up for FAA workers

Article Title: American workers applaud Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood for speaking up for FAA workers

Snippet of Article: "...Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood voiced a loud plea to Congress earlier, requesting they return from their five-week vacations, to put FAA employees back to work. ..."

Source: Federal Employee News FAA furlough, Transportation Secretary Raymond LaHood,

Congress holding America (FAA) 'hostage' over anti-union agenda?

Article Title: Ray LaHood: Americans being held 'hostage'

Snippet of Article: "...Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood kept up the pressure on members of Congress on Thursday, saying they are holding the American people “hostage” and calling on them to return to Washington to pass a bill extending funding for the Federal Aviation Administration...."

Source: www.politico.com anti-union

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Debt Deal Could Cost Federal Jobs

Article Title: Massive Federal Spending Cuts Will Worsen Economy

Snippet of Article: "..."Federal agencies will have to cut $7 billion from their current budgets under the first phase of this debt deal. This could mean cutting tens of thousands of federal jobs like Social Security claims representatives, doctors and nurses at VA hospitals, Border Patrol agents and EPA scientists...."

Source: www.sacbee.com Federal Jobs

Monday, August 1, 2011

TSP fund shifting during debt ceiling controversy

Article Title: Ramsey: 'If I Was a Federal Worker, I'd Be Afraid'

Snippet of Article: "...Personal money management expert and national radio personality Dave Ramsey took a stab at answering some of these questions on his radio show this week...."

Source: www.fedsmith.com

Saturday, July 30, 2011

Will Federal Workers get paid?

Article Title: The priority list: Who will get paid if government defaults?

Snippet of Article: "...Likely losers: federal workers in jobs deemed non-essential, private contractors and state and local governments. ..."

Source: www.siliconvalley.com

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Another post office closure study (List of offices provided)

Article Title: Postal Service Takes Next Step in Optimizing Retail Network

Snippet of Article: "...the U.S. Postal Service announced today that it will be taking the next step in right-sizing its expansive retail network by conducting studies of approximately 3,700 retail offices to determine customer needs...."

Source: usps.com



Here is the list Expanded Access study list

Monday, July 25, 2011

FAA Employees to be Furloughed

Article Title: Thousands of FAA Employees to be Furloughed

Snippet of Article: "...The furloughs come as Congress can't agree on an extension of the agency's funding...."

Source: www.myfoxdc.com

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Will a government shutdown result if the debt ceiling is not raised?

Article Title: Federal workers ask for information on possible government shutdown

Snippet of Article: "...federal workers have written to the administration to find out who will be expendable..."

Source: thehill.com

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Fear of potential shifts in federal government retirement benefits

Article Title: Change in COLA Formula Opposed

Snippet of Article: "...NARFE and other federal employee-focused organizations, however, fear potential shifts in federal government retirement benefits...."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com federal government retirement benefits