Friday, December 14, 2012
Congress gotta get home for Christmas before screwing over Social Security and Medicare
Article Title: Congress: Merry Christmas, suckers
Snippet of Article: "...Speaker John Boehner told members to go home for Christmas but be back the next day. (Congress = The Bart Simpson who stole Christmas?)..."
Source: firstread.nbcnews.comThursday, December 13, 2012
Federal worker fatally shoots self inside Alabama courthouse
Article Title: Federal employee fatally shoots self inside Alabama courthouse
Snippet of Article: "...Police say a federal employee is dead after shooting himself inside the city's main federal court building in Birmingham...."
Source: www.foxnews.comTuesday, December 11, 2012
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.orgSunday, December 9, 2012
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.comThursday, December 6, 2012
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.govWednesday, December 5, 2012
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.comTuesday, December 4, 2012
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.infoSunday, December 2, 2012
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.comFriday, November 30, 2012
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.comTuesday, November 27, 2012
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.comMonday, November 26, 2012
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.comThursday, November 15, 2012
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.orgWednesday, November 14, 2012
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.comTSA 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.orgTuesday, November 13, 2012
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.comMonday, November 12, 2012
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.comTuesday, November 6, 2012
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.govMonday, November 5, 2012
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.govSunday, November 4, 2012
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.comThursday, November 1, 2012
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.comSunday, October 28, 2012
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 NewsFriday, October 26, 2012
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.comThursday, October 25, 2012
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.comThe 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.comTuesday, October 23, 2012
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.govSunday, October 21, 2012
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.orgTuesday, October 16, 2012
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.comSunday, October 7, 2012
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.govMonday, October 1, 2012
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.orgThe 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.comWednesday, September 26, 2012
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.comMonday, September 24, 2012
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.govFriday, September 21, 2012
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.comYour 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 NewsTuesday, September 18, 2012
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.comMonday, September 17, 2012
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
..."
Friday, September 14, 2012
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.comBomb 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