Federal employee starting pay rises

---

Starting Pay for Federal Workers Rises

'...The rising salaries make the federal government a desirable place to work, and the analysis also found that workers are less likely to leave...'

Reference: www.newser.com
Tags: Federal employee starting pay

---

Civilian Service Recognition Act

---

H.R.2061

'...To authorize the presentation of a United States flag on behalf of Federal civilian employees who die of injuries in connection with their employment....'

Reference: thomas.loc.gov
Tags: Civilian Service Recognition Act

---

Federal Employee reduction in force, more base closings and consolidations

---

Experts: DoD could slash 150K jobs

'...Even with early-out incentives, Williams expected that a "sizable" reduction in force (RIF) also would be needed. "This is going to be a mess...'

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
Tags: reduction in force, federal job cuts, early-out incentives,

---

Thrift Savings Plan I Fund

---

TSP's I Fund brings 'true diversification' to portfolio

'...there's more to the TSP than just those two funds...'

Reference: federal-retirement.blogspot.com
Tags: I Fund, TSP, FERS, CSRS

---

Buyouts, Layoffs and more pay freezing likely for Federal Workers

---

Extended pay freeze, layoffs likely

'...likely to mean 2012 will see a hiring freeze, buyouts and early outs, and maybe even layoffs through reductions-in-force to start bringing payroll costs down....'

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
Tags: Federal Employee Buyouts,

---

Ron Paul, the presidential candidate who says he'll shrink government the most,

---

Ron Paul backed by workers he's aiming to show door

'...leads in donations from federal employees, with $95,085 through Sept. 30. That is more than four times ...'

Reference: www.startribune.com
Tags:

---

Federal Employees and Medicare Part B

---

FEHBP + Medicare Part B can be 'political insurance'

'...Federal employees turning 65 might be wondering: Do I get Medicare Part B coverage in addition to my federal health plan? ...'

Reference: www.federalnewsradio.com
Tags: FEHBP, Medicare Part B,

---

Is FERS too generous

---

FERS Fact Check

'...whether they are too generous -- are the subject of much discussion right now on Capitol Hill...'

Reference: federal-retirement.blogspot.com
Tags: Federal Retirement

---

Supercommittee -vs- Federal Employees

---

Preparing for what the supercommittee has in store for federal agencies

'...The Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction, often called the Supercommittee, is examining a wide-range of options that could dramatically affect federal employees, such as huge...'

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Tags: Supercommittee

---

Federal Retirement COLA for 2012 will be 3.6 percent

---

Federal retirees to get COLA increase

'...Federal retirees will receive in January the first inflation adjustment to their annuity benefits since 2009, an increase of 3.6 percent...'

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Tags: 2012 Federal Retiree COLA, 2012 COLA, Federal Retirement COLA,

---

Shifting the deficit to Federal Workers

---

Don’t shift deficit to federal workers

'...One of the most influential aspects of the super committee’s decision will involve the federal workforce. Among the options for cutting the deficit, federal workers could be forced to contribute even more to their retirement....'

Reference: www.lasvegassun.com
Tags:

---

Democrats fight against Federal Worker pay freeze and other benefit cuts

---

Democrats want supercommittee to reject more federal worker cuts

'...Democrats on the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform urged the Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to “avoid further cuts for federal employees given the significant cuts already imposed on them.”...'

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Tags: Federal Pay freeze

---

BlackBerry only federally approved smartphone for some government agencies

---

BlackBerry outage sends D.C. into withdrawal

'...The outage caught much of D.C. off guard Wednesday and underscored the region’s reliance on the BlackBerry — which is still the only federally approved smartphone for employees in some government agencies....'

Reference: www.politico.com
Tags: Blackberry

---

Federal Prison Guard Misconduct Investigations Doubled

---

Federal prison guard arrests increase dramatically, report finds

'..."In federal prisons, it used to just be drug kingpins, tax-fraud prisoners, assassins," Perkinson said. "But now it's become full of more low-level offenders, which ironically makes for more violent prisoners....'

Reference: latimes.com
Tags: Federal prison guard, Federal prison employment, Misconduct Investigations,

---

Exploding toilets injure Federal workers

---

Exploding toilet injures two workers at federal building

'...bathrooms at the GSA Regional building were declared off-limits after two Department of Homeland Security employees were injured Monday by the toilet blast...'

Reference: msnbc.msn.com
Tags: exploding toilets,

---

Federal employees less expensive than contractors

---

U.S. spends billions outsourcing work

'...The Project on Government Oversight, a nonpartisan independent organization based in Washington, D.C., said it found that federal employees were less expensive than contractors...'

Reference: www.daytondailynews.com
Tags: Project on Government Oversight

---

V.A. Hiring in Leavenworth

---

VA hiring 400 people in Leavenworth

'...“Applicants need basic computer and communication skills. They’ll be trained for the rest,” said Kevin Johnson, a spokesman for the VA human resource department. “With an economy that stinks, these are great jobs with a career opportunity to get your foot in the door. And the benefits are great.”...'

Reference: www.kansascity.com
Tags: Federal Employment, V.A. Employment, Government Hiring, Federal Employees,

---

GAO 2011 early retirements and buyouts coming

---

GAO to offer early retirement (VERA), buyouts (VSIP)

'...On August 8, 2011, GAO (via memo) announced a Voluntary Early Retirement (VERA or Early Out) opportunity and the upcoming possibility of a Voluntary Separation Incentive Payment (VSIP or Buyout) for specified positions....'

Reference: Federal Employee News
Tags: 2011 GAO early retirement and buyouts,

---

Postal Service wants to layoff 120, 000; break union contracts

---

Postal Service asks Congress to allow 120,000 layoffs, overhaul benefits

'...The USPS is also asking Congress to change legislation that requires postal workers to get federal health care and retirement benefits. Instead...'

Reference: cnn.com
Tags:

---

Federal employee union protest U.S. Rep. James Lankford (OK)

---

Union, Constituents to Protest Anti-Worker Lawmaker

'...Constituents from U.S. Rep. James Lankford's congressional district will join with leaders from the nation's largest federal employee union to protest the first-term congressman's anti-worker legislative agenda on Tuesday....'

Reference: www.sacbee.com
Tags:

---

Federal district court employee killed

---

U.S. federal court employee kidnapped, killed in Mexico

'...His kidnapping and death are not believed to be related to his status as a federal employee, and court officials had been told he crossed the border to have some work done on his car....'

Reference: www.mysanantonio.com
Tags: Federal Employee,

---

Congress reaches deal to temporarily end FAA shutdown

---

Congress reaches deal to end FAA shutdown

'...Most, like Delta Air Lines (DAL.N), American Airlines (AMR.N), US Airways (LCC.N) and Southwest Airlines (LUV.N), raised fares by that amount instead and stood to collect more than $1 billion in extra revenue had the shutdown lasted for another month....'

Reference: www.reuters.com
Tags: FAA shutdown

---

FAA standoff shows jobs not a priority ...are you next?

---

More to FAA shutdown than air service subsidies

'...immediate price is high. Already, 4,000 FAA employees have been furloughed, more than 200 construction projects have been halted and an estimated 70,000 other private-sector workers affected. ...'

Reference: www.seattlepi.com
Tags: FAA

---

Congress goes home leaving thousands of FAA Federal workers on furlough

---

Partial FAA shutdown continues as Congress goes home

'...Caught up in the partisan acrimony are nearly 4,000 FAA employees who have been furloughed. The FAA also has issued stop work orders ...'

Reference: www.presstelegram.com
Tags: 2011 federal employee furlough, FAA Furlough,

---

FAA stand-off over funding is about unionization

---

Obama team tries to break FAA impasse

'...The dispute involves the labor law that governs unionization efforts at airlines. Those efforts have been covered by the Railway Labor Act, under which eligible voters who don't participate in a union election are counted as voting against unionization....'

Reference: usatoday.com
Tags:

---

FAA furloughed 4,000 employees

---

FAA furloughs unprecedented, officials say

'...FAA furloughed 4,000 employees, including almost 1,000 in Washington, after lawmakers failed to reach a last-minute agreement on July 22 on a stopgap funding measure for the agency....'

Reference: www.govexec.com
Tags:

---

1000's of FAA workers furloughed

---

FAA furloughs thousands amid congressional funding stalemate

'...(Reuters) - The Federal Aviation Administration, the arm of the U.S. Department of Transportation responsible for air passenger safety, furloughed about 4,000 of its workers on Saturday...'

Reference: www.reuters.com
Tags:

---

Federal directive requires agencies to incorporate plain language in development of communications materials

---

Plain Language at OPM

'...Plain language is not unprofessional writing or a method of "dumbing down" or "talking down" to the reader....'

Reference: www.opm.gov
Tags: plain language directive

---

Ford Bragg Federal Employment

---

How to Search for Federal Jobs at Fort Bragg

'...Employment vacancies for Fort Bragg and the surrounding community can be found online. ...'

Reference: fortbragg.patch.com
Tags: Federal Jobs,

---

Federal Contracting cuts coming

---

Cut contracting costs by 15 percent, agencies are told

'...methods being pursued include lowering labor rates...'

Reference: www.govexec.com
Tags: Federal Contract Workers,

---

Hatch Act and Federal Employees

---

Hatch Act: Small violation brings big penalty

'...the Act allows a federal employee to run for elected office if it’s a non-partisan position. But if that same job were a partisan position in another state, a federal employee would not be allowed to seek that office....'

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Tags: Hatch Act

---

TSA elects AFGE as union reps

---

AFGE Elected as the Union at TSA!

'...elected the American Federation of Government Employees as their exclusive union representative with an 8903-8447 vote over the National Treasury Employees Union....'

Reference: www.sacbee.com
Tags: National Treasury Employees Union

---

The U.S. Postal Service Just Stopped Putting Money Into Its Pension Fund

---

The U.S. Post Office Just Stopped Putting Money Into Its Pension Fund

'...the USPS is holding off on the payment while it waits for government approval to delay a $5.5 billion payment for worker health benefits....'

Reference: www.businessinsider.com
Tags:

---

FERS Annuity Supplement EarningsTest

---

The Earnings Test for Your FERS Annuity Supplement

'...The only thing 100% clear about the FERS annuity supplement is that it ends at age 62, which is when the retiree first becomes eligible for Social Security....'

Reference: www.fedsmith.com
Tags: FERS annuity supplement

---

Tim Pawlenty (R) 'federal employees' salaries should be frozen'

---

Republican candidate calls for federal salary freeze, workforce cuts

'...Republican presidential candidate Tim Pawlenty said Monday that federal employees' salaries should be frozen and the federal workforce should be reduced through attrition....'

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
Tags:

---

Republican Senators want to eliminate pensions for government employees

---

Federal Workers Facing More Cuts

'...In March, Senate Republicans Richard Burr and Tom Coburn introduced legislation that would entirely eliminate pensions for government employees. They would still collect Social Security and hold 401k-style accounts....'

Reference: www.kctv5.com
Tags:

---

USAJobsRecruit online recruitment tool

---

OPM launches online recruitment tool for hiring managers

'...Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry announced the launch of USAJobsRecruit, an online community for agencies to showcase best practices, share marketing and outreach strategies, and post hiring events. ...'

Reference: www.govexec.com
Tags:

---

Connecting Veterans With Federal Jobs

---

Web Portal To Connect Veterans With Federal Jobs

'...“It is our duty to serve those who have so bravely served their country, and the innovative Mil2FedJobs site is one more way to ensure that Maryland’s veterans have the support they deserve,” said Lt. Governor Brown. “Our one-of-a-kind website will help servicemen and women find federal job opportunities that best match their skills....'

Reference: www.thebaynet.com
Tags: Federal Jobs

---

TSA employee faces child porn charges

---

TSA airport screener charged with distributing child pornography

'...Transport Safety Administration (TSA) officer Thomas Gordon Jnr. allegedly used Facebook to share the sick pictures of young girls and...'

Reference: www.dailymail.co.uk
Tags: TSA Screener

---

Federal workers have become the punching bag

---

Inspiring a badly battered federal workforce

'...It has not been an easy time for federal employees, with the pay freeze, attacks on the public sector, budget cutbacks and then the threat of a government shutdown....'

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Tags:

---

Government Salary and Employee name databases

---

While searching the internet for interesting articles and sources of information to feed our information hungry readership, we ran across a site called PIbuzz.com. PIbuzz.com has an informative page that is full of links for Government Salary and Employee name databases. Click on over an search the databases.
Tags: Government Salary and Employee name databases

---

McNamara Federal Building Bomb Suspect Gary John Mikulich

---

Federal building bomb suspect has long history of mental illness; psychiatrist: "danger to others"

'...The FBI says 42-year-old Gary John Mikulich left a tool bag filled with an explosive device outside the McNamara Federal Building in Detroit. ...'

Reference: www.wxyz.com
Tags: McNamara Federal Building Bomb

---

---

Drastic shift in House Republicans’ view of federal workers

'...“I think, frankly, the committee has engaged in a broad assault on federal employees in every aspect,” Rep. Gerald E. Connolly (D-Va.) said after the hearing. Why else, he asked, would the panel “spend hours and hours on a bill of such little import?”...'

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Tags:

---

Federal workers who are seriously delinquent on taxes face trouble under new...

---

House Panel Passes Bill Cracking Down on Tax Delinquent Federal Workers

'...would terminate the employment of federal workers who are seriously delinquent on their taxes and another that prevents seriously delinquent taxpayers from getting a job with the federal workforce....'

Reference: www.foxnews.com
Tags:

---

House Passes Republican Budget Plan ...more privatization

---

House Passes Republican Plan in Partisan Vote

'...the GOP plan would transform the nation's Medicare program, changing it from a government-run system that pays seniors' health bills into a system where seniors buy insurance plans...'

Reference: abcnews.go.com
Tags: Medicare

---

---

2012 Federal Holidays

Monday, January 2* New Year's Day
Monday, January 16 Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Monday, February 20** Washington's Birthday
Monday, May 28 Memorial Day
Wednesday, July 4 Independence Day
Monday, September 3 Labor Day
Monday, October 8 Columbus Day
Monday, November 12*** Veterans Day
Thursday, November 22 Thanksgiving Day
Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day

* January 1, 2012 (the legal public holiday for New Year's Day), falls on a Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, January 2, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. (See section 3(a) of Executive order 11582, February 11, 1971.)

** This holiday is designated as "Washington's Birthday" in section 6103(a) of title 5 of the United States Code, which is the law that specifies holidays for Federal employees. Though other institutions such as state and local governments and private businesses may use other names, it is our policy to always refer to holidays by the names designated in the law.

*** November 11, 2012 (the legal public holiday for Veterans Day), falls on a Sunday. For most Federal employees, Monday, November 12, will be treated as a holiday for pay and leave purposes. (See section 3(a) of Executive order 11582, February 11, 1971.)

Reference: www.opm.gov
Tags: 2012 Federal Holidays

---

DC Mayor Vincent Gray arrested while protesting budget

---

DC mayor arrested protesting budget restrictions

'...Mayor Vincent Gray and six Council members including the chairman were among 41 people arrested Monday outside the Capitol while protesting the changes that might be inevitable. ...'

Reference: www.msnbc.msn.com
Tags:

---

Rep. George Miller (CA) Statement on Budget Agreement

---

Miller Statement on Budget Agreement

'..."The American people have been told the agreement contains both 'historic' and 'painful' cuts. The question will be painful for whom.

"Poor and middle class families have already received more than their fair share of pain in this economy while the wealthy and special interests have paid no price. ...'

Reference: georgemiller.house.gov
Tags: Press release, Rep. George Miller (CA),Supporter of the working class,

---

Government shutdown averted

---

Officials Tout Last-Minute Government Shutdown Deal

'...The Senate passed a temporary resolution to keep the government funded beyond midnight, when it was scheduled to run out, until the full agreement can be drawn up and passed by Congress. That short-term bridge included the first $2 billion in cuts, officials said. ...'

Reference: abcnews.go.com
Tags: Government shutdown averted

---

Unemployment during government shutdown

---

Are employees entitled to unemployment compensation while on furlough?

'...It is possible that furloughed employees may become eligible for unemployment compensation. State unemployment compensation requirements differ. Some States require a 1-week waiting period before an individual qualifies for payments. Agencies or employees should submit questions to the appropriate State (or District of Columbia) office. In general, the law of the State in which an employee’s last official duty station in Federal civilian service was located will be the State law that determines eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits. (See the Department of Labor website "Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees" at http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/unemcomp.asp.)...'

Reference: Department of Labor
Tags: Unemployment during government shutdown, Federal shutdown and unemployment,

---

Federal Shutdown and Military Pay

---

Government shutdown 101: What does it mean for the military?

'...The Pentagon will continue military operations in Afghanistan and Iraq, but US troops will work without pay, according to guidance issued late Thursday by the Defense Department....'

Reference: www.csmonitor.com
Tags: Government shutdown and military pay

---

OMB Federal Employee Shutdown Guidance from Past Furloughs

---

OMB bulletins and memoranda that were used in connection with past furloughs.

'...OMB Memorandum M-11-13, Planning for Agency Operations During a Lapse in Government Funding (April 7, 2011); OMB Circular A-11, July 2010; OMB Bulletin M-95-18 transmitting 8/16/95 Department of Justice opinion, (August 22, 1995); OMB Memorandum M-91-02, Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations, (October 5, 1990); OMB Bulletin No. 80-14, Supplement No. 1, Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations, (August 20, 1982); OMB Memorandum, Agency Operations in the Absence of Appropriations, (November 17, 1981); OMB Bulletin 80-14, Shutdown of Agency Operations Upon Failure by the Congress to Enact Appropriations, (August 28, 1980); ...'

Reference: www.opm.gov
Tags: [tag]federal government furlough 2011, opm furlough 2011, www.opm.gov/furlough2011, furlough government employees 2011, furlough federal employees 2011, government employee furlough, opm furlough, federal shutdown, furlough for federal employees 2011, omb furlough guidance, [/tag]

---

House GOP pressing to limit EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases in budget talks

---

Shutdown threat: It's about more than money

'...Another would ban the District of Columbia from sending local tax money to groups that provide access to abortions.

The House GOP also is pressing for several provisions related to the EPA's ability to regulate greenhouse gases....'

Reference: seattletimes.nwsource.com
Tags:

---

Federal Furlough Lawsuit

---

Union files lawsuit regarding government shutdown

'...The American Federation of Government Employees filed a lawsuit in federal court on March 30 seeking details on agencies’ shutdown plans, AFGE National President John Gage announced today at a National Press Club newsmaker event....'

Reference: www.afge.org
Tags:

---

Guidance for Employees Facing Furlough

---

Fed Agency Offers Guidance for Employees Facing Shutdown

'...Federal employees uncertain of whether they are going to work next week can reference a one-page document from the federal Office of Personnel Management for answers....'

Reference: www.nbcwashington.com
Tags: Guidance for Employees Facing Shutdown, Federal Employee Furlough,

---

Federal Employee Furlough and Shutdown Q and A

---

Most Frequently Asked Questions and Answers Regarding Shutdowns and Furloughs

'...Understandably, this situation has generated some anxiety among federal employees regarding how a government shutdown would affect them. Of particular concern is the fact that many federal employees would be “furloughed” or released without pay for the duration of that shutdown....'

Reference: ourpublicservice.org
Tags: Federal Employee Furlough, DoD Furlough, Federal Shutdown,

---

OPM Federal Furlough Shutdown Information and Guidance Website Announced

---

Guidance and Information on Furlough

'...Federal agencies do not have the authority to pay their employees during a shutdown, regardless of whether the employees are working as "excepted" or furloughed as "non-excepted". "Excepted" employees will receive pay for hours worked when the Congress passes and the President signs a new appropriation or continuing resolution. Congress will also determine whether "non-excepted" employees will receive pay for the furlough period. ...'

Reference: http://www.opm.gov/furlough2011/
Tags: Federal Employee Furlough Information, Government Shutdown Guidance

---

Prepare for a Federal Shutdown

---

Preparing for a federal shutdown

'...But what should you do if the federal government shuts down?

As you may know, a government shutdown, like the one experienced in 1995, is a very real possibility. Congress recently acted to...'

Reference: www.dailynews.com
Tags: government shutdown, Federal Furlough,

---

Government Shutdown Friday ?

---

Government Shutdown Could Come Friday

'...However, both sides seem confident that an agreement will be reached before Friday. ...'

Reference: www.9and10news.com
Tags: Government Shutdown

---

---

Verizon CEO Warns Government Shutdown Will Stunt Economic Recovery

'...During a press call yesterday for the Business Roundtable's Q1 CEO survey, Verizon (VZ) chief executive Ivan Seidenberg weighed in on the looming prospect of a US government shutdown....'

Reference: www.minyanville.com
Tags:

---

Federal Shutdown Likely?

---

Federal Shutdown Becoming Likely With 10 Days to Go

'...Reaching a federal budget accord in Congress by the April 8 deadline "appears increasingly difficult to achieve" making a government shutdown "more likely," according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. ...'

Reference: www.beckershospitalreview.com
Tags:

---

'Excepted' employees are required to work during a shutdown

---

Government Shutdown Overview

'...On April 8 the current resolution comes to an end, so federal agencies are preparing for a possible government shutdown if legislators of both parties can’t reach an agreement....'

Reference: compoundcaptive via tucsoncitizen.com
Tags: Federal Employee Furlough

---

March 25 U.S. Postal Service Announcement

This post is courtesy of The Postal Newsgroup

The highly anticipated March 25 USPS announcement is referenced below as found on the USPS' website. The largest majority of the information was put out yesterday (March 24, 2011) detailing the district closings, the Voluntary Early Retirement (VER), The financial incentive programs being offered to eligible career non-bargaining employees in targeted groups at Headquarters, Headquarters-related Field Units, Area Offices and Customer Service District Offices (Administrative). However, the additional information provided in the following announcement that stands out boldly is 'additional staff reductions will occur as the Postal Service makes necessary changes to its network and retail operations. The full scope and financial impact of these personnel actions should be realized in one calendar year — by March 2012.' Read below to see the official release. Stay tuned and we will provide further internal information as it trickles out.

March 25 Postal Announcement

The Announcement
PMG ANNOUNCES CLOSING OF SEVEN DISTRICTS
I am confident we have developed a strong plan that takes a key step toward a leaner and less bureaucratic structure.

As part of the ongoing redesign of the Postal Service, PMG Pat Donahoe yesterday announced USPS will close 7 of its 74 district offices. This reflects continuing alignments within the organization to achieve core business strategies and, when fully implemented, will help realize approximately $750 million of annual cost savings (Link Extra, 3/23).

The district offices scheduled for closure — Columbus, OH, (Eastern Area); Southeast Michigan in Troy, MI, and Northern Illinois in Carol Stream, IL (Great Lakes Area); Southeast New England in Providence, RI (Northeast Area); South Georgia in Macon, GA, and Albuquerque in Albuquerque, NM (Southwest Area); and Big Sky in Billings, MT (Western Area) — house only administrative functions that will be assumed by surrounding district offices. The closures will not affect customer service, mail delivery, Post Office operations or ZIP codes.

“I am confident we have developed a strong plan that takes a key step toward a leaner and less bureaucratic structure. One that is fair to our employees and one that will meet the future needs of our customers and the mailing industry,” said Donahoe.

This organizational redesign builds on previous PMG announcements that include a 16 percent reduction in officer ranks, realigning revenue-generating business units, closing the Southeast Area Office, and further reducing the employee complement by about 7,500 positions.

While yesterday’s announcement focused on the administrative and executive corps, additional staff reductions will occur as the Postal Service makes necessary changes to its network and retail operations. The full scope and financial impact of these personnel actions should be realized in one calendar year — by March 2012.   

Reference: usps.gov
emphasis (bold-print) added by The Postal Newsgroup


March 25 Postal Announcement, USPS March 25 Announcement,

Postal Service to cut supervisory positions

---

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

'...will eliminate some 7,500 administrative, postmaster and front-line supervisory positions. ...'

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
Tags:

---

bill (S. 644) that would eliminate the pension portion of the Federal Employees Retirement System

---

Senator proposes cuts to federal annuity benefits

'...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. ...'

Reference: www.govexec.com
Tags:

---

Memo details Department of Defense Shutdown Plans

---

Draft Memo Outlines DoD Shutdown Plans

'...If the U.S. federal government shuts down, all military personnel would be required to continue working without pay, according to the memo. The military would continue to operate in Afghanistan, and troops would continue to prepare for deployment. But many civilian DoD employees could be furloughed. ...'

Reference:
Tags: DoD Furlough, Federal Employee Furlough

---

Postal Workers Union and Post Office Agree to Contract

---

Highlights of the New APWU Contract (Tentative Agreement of the Collective Bargaining Agreement)

'...No fewer than 1,100 Call Center jobs that had been contracted out will be returned to the APWU bargaining unit. The Call Center locations will become part of the installation of the nearest Processing & Distribution Center, so that APWU members can bid on these positions....'

Reference: contractnegotiations.blogspot.com
Tags: Postal Union Contract

---

Unicor, known as Federal Prison Industries until a 1977

---

Why are Prisoners Building Patriot Missiles?

'...100 factories at 70 penitentiaries within the US; a self-sustaining, self-funding company owned wholly by the government, created by an act of Congress in 1934...'

Reference: www.minyanville.com
Tags:

---

Federal Employee Pay and Benefits discussed

---

Statement from John Berry on Federal Pay

'...In the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), enrollees share 30 percent of the premium costs.7 For optional dental and vision benefits, they pay 100 percent.8 For the Federal Employees Group Life Insurance Program (FEGLI), employees pay 66 percent of the basic premium, and the full cost of any additional coverage. For the Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program, (FLTCIP) enrollees pay the entire premium cost. For these 100% employee paid programs, we only negotiate a group rate....'

Reference: www.fedsmith.com
Tags: federal Employee dental and vision benefits,

---

Honolulu International Airport TSA Fails to Screen Bags

---

After TSA Probe Story Breaks, Management More Attentive

'...TSA management has been embarrassed that some of its employees essentially did not do their jobs for as many as four months before two employee whistle-blowers brought them to management's attention....'

Reference: www.kitv.com
Tags: TSA

---

---

Authority to Redeposit Refunds under the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS)

'...Employees covered by FERS on or after October 28, 2009, may repay (or redeposit) any FERS deductions previously refunded to them. They may also redeposit any CSRS deductions previously refunded to them that covered CSRS service that is credited under FERS rules....'

Reference: http://www.opm.gov/retire/pubs/bals/2011/11-103.pdf
Tags: FERS

---

---

'Recent Pay-Related Legislative Changes' for Federal Employees

A memorandum dated March 3, 2011, put out by OPM Director, John Berry, identifies several 'Recent Pay-Related Legislative Changes'. The changes relate to Reservist Income Replacement Program and Relationship to Reservist Differential Program, Extension of Authority to Waive Pay Limitations for Certain Federal Civilian Employees Working Overseas, and Rate of Overtime Pay for Department of the Navy Employees Performing Work to Support the Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Forward Deployed in Japan.

The memo reads as follows:

Subject:
Recent Pay-Related Legislative Changes

This is to inform you of 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) (hereafter referred to as “the Act”). All of the sections identified below are effective on the date of enactment of the Act (January 7, 2011), unless otherwise stated.

Sections 601 and 611 – Reservist Income Replacement Program and Relationship to Reservist Differential Program

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.

Section 1103 – 1-year Extension of Authority to Waive Pay Limitations for Certain Federal Civilian Employees Working Overseas

Effective January 1, 2011, section 1103 extends to calendar year 2011 the authority provided in section 1101(a) of the Duncan Hunter National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2009 (Public Law 110-417, October 14, 2008), as amended by section 1106 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010 (Public Law 111-84, October 28, 2009), for the head of an agency to waive the premium pay cap provisions under 5 U.S.C. 5547.

As in calendar years 2009 and 2010, this waiver authority in 2011 applies to certain civilian employees who perform work while in an overseas location that (1) is in the area of responsibility of the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) or (2) was formerly in the CENTCOM area of responsibility but has been moved to the area of responsibility of the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM). The overseas work must meet one of two additional qualifying conditions: (1) performance of work in direct support of or directly related to a military operation (including a contingency operation as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13)), or (2) performance of work in direct support of or directly related to an operation in response to an emergency declared by the President.

The annual limitation on basic pay and premium pay allowed under the waiver authority remains at $230,700 in calendar year 2011 (the annual rate of salary payable to the Vice President under 3 U.S.C. 104). Subsection 1101(b) continues to provide the aggregate limitation on pay under 5 U.S.C. 5307 will not apply to an employee in calendar year 2011 if the employee is granted a waiver under subsection 1101(a) of the normally applicable premium pay limitations.

Subsection 1101(c) also continues to apply and provides that any payments made under the subsection 1101(a) waiver authority resulting in additional premium pay of a type normally creditable as basic pay will not be considered basic pay for any purpose (e.g., retirement). Also, such additional premium pay may not be used in computing lump-sum payments for accumulated and accrued annual leave under 5 U.S.C. 5551.

Subsection 1101(d) continues to provide the Director of U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) with the discretion to issue regulations for this waiver authority. OPM does not currently plan to issue regulations. However, each agency should establish policies for using this waiver authority if it has covered employees. To ensure agencies apply this discretionary authority consistently, we have developed a summary of key elements agencies should include in their policies implementing the waiver authority. (See Attachment.)

Section 1105 – Rate of Overtime Pay for Department of the Navy Employees Performing Work to Support the Nuclear Aircraft Carrier Forward Deployed in Japan

Subsection 1105(a) amends 5 U.S.C. 5542(a) by adding a new paragraph (6)(A) to provide the overtime hourly rate of pay for a qualifying employee of the Department of the Navy is an amount equal to one and one-half times the hourly rate of basic pay of the employee, and all that amount is premium pay. This provision applies only to an employee who (1) is assigned to temporary duty to perform work aboard, or dockside in direct support of, the nuclear aircraft carrier that is forward deployed in Japan and (2) would be nonexempt under the Fair Labor Standards Act but for the application of the foreign area exemption in 29 U.S.C. 213(f).

This authority will expire on September 30, 2014.

Not later than March 31, 2014, OPM is required to submit a report to Congress that evaluates the use of this temporary authority and analyzes the possibility of extending the expiration date of the authority and of expanding the authority to cover other employees.

Additional Information

For additional information, agency Chief Human Capital Officers and/or Human Resources Directors should contact their assigned OPM Human Capital Officer. Employees should contact their agency human resources office for assistance.

Attachment

cc: Chief Human Capital Officers

Human Resources Directors

Attachment

Summary of Key Necessary Elements in Agency Policies Implementing Section 1101 of Public Law 110-417, as Amended, for Calendar Year 2011

Section 1103 of Public Law 111-383, January 7, 2011, extends to calendar year 2011 the previous authority of section 1101 of Public Law 110-417, October 14, 2008, as amended by section 1106 of Public Law 110-84, October 28, 2009.

The premium pay cap waiver authority under section 1101 of Public Law 110-417, as amended, may be applied in calendar years 2009 through 2011 to an employee who meets all of the following conditions for coverage eligibility:

The employee is covered by 5 U.S.C. 5547 (dealing with limitations on premium pay) or a limitation on premium pay similar to one set forth in section 5547 of title 5, United States Code (as determined by the head of the Executive agency in or under which such employees are employed).

The employee is assigned to work in an overseas location that (1) is in the area of responsibility of the Commander of the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) or (2) was formerly in the CENTCOM area of responsibility but has been moved to the area of responsibility of the Commander of the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM) and remains in that location for at least 42 consecutive calendar days (unless an authorized agency official grants a waiver of the 42-day requirement in very limited circumstances). (If the employee meets the 42-day requirement, the section 1106 limitation may be applied to days before that requirement was satisfied, as long as the employee was performing work in a covered and approved category on those days. Although section 1106 applies only to payments payable in calendar year 2011, the 42-day period may overlap a calendar year—i.e., begins in 2010 and ends in 2011, or begins in 2011 and ends in 2012.)

The employee performs work in direct support of, or directly related to, (1) a military operation (including a contingency operation, as defined in 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(13)) or (2) an operation in response to an emergency declared by the President. (“Military operation” is a Department of Defense (DOD) term of art, defined in the DOD Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms.) Prior to authorizing any premium pay cap waiver under section 1106 on the basis of a military operation, an agency must confirm any DOD operation in countries in which such a waiver is being considered meets the DOD definition. (Note: The State Department and DOD have determined all their employees serving in Iraq and Afghanistan are performing work in direct support of, or directly related to, a military operation. In other locations, they will make determinations on a case-by-case basis.)

The employee is in a category of employees for whom coverage under section 1106 has been approved by an authorized agency official. (Note: Section 1106 establishes a discretionary authority that agencies may exercise, not an entitlement.)

Employees who are granted a waiver under section 1101 in calendar year 2011 will be covered by a higher annual premium pay cap in lieu of the normal biweekly and annual premium pay caps under 5 U.S.C. 5547. The employee will be entitled to premium payments identified in 5 U.S.C. 5547(a), or similar limitation, to the extent it does not cause the employee’s combined payable amount of basic pay and premium pay for calendar year 2011 to exceed the annual rate of salary payable to the Vice President under 3 U.S.C. 104, which remains at the 2010 level of $230,700. (Like the section 5547 limitation, the section 1101 limitation is applied to premium payments that are “payable” during the calendar year-i.e., earned in a pay period for which the pay date falls in the calendar year.)

The higher annual limitation on premium pay established under section 1101(a) continues to apply during calendar year 2011 to an employee’s annual aggregate basic pay plus premium pay even after the employee has stopped performing work covered by section 1101. After an employee stops performing covered work, the employee's earnings will again be subject to the biweekly premium pay limitation under 5 U.S.C. 5547, or similar limitation, and the employee could receive payments up to the biweekly premium pay limitation each pay period until the section 1101(a) annual limitation is reached.

Under section 1101(b), the aggregate limitation on pay under 5 U.S.C. 5307 will not apply in a calendar year to any employee who is granted a waiver under section 1101(a) (i.e., premium pay cap waiver) in that calendar year (2011). When the aggregate limitation on pay under 5 U.S.C. 5307 is applied, payments (other than basic pay) in excess of the aggregate limitation must be deferred and are generally paid as a lump-sum payment at the beginning of the following calendar year. However, if section 1101(b) applies to an employee in calendar year 2011, the employee is entitled to receive applicable payments immediately without deferral.

Section 1101(c) continues to apply. Under section 1101(c), any additional pay that results from application of the higher premium pay cap under section 1101(a), may not be considered basic pay for retirement or any other purpose, nor may it be used in computing a lump-sum payment for accumulated and accrued annual leave under 5 U.S.C. 5551. Under 5 U.S.C. 5547 and 5 CFR 550.107, various types of premium pay creditable for retirement and other purposes are always subject to a biweekly cap, even in emergencies that would normally trigger the annual premium pay limit. Thus, in applying section 1101(a), an agency should consider any premium pay that is basic pay for retirement or other purposes as being paid before any other premium payment and apply the biweekly cap to determine the amount of basic pay for retirement and other purposes. In other words, section 1101(a) would allow these types of premium payments to exceed the normally applicable biweekly limit, but any excess beyond the biweekly limit would be attributable to section 1101(a) and therefore would not be treated as basic pay for retirement or other purposes.

COUNTRIES IN CENTCOM OVERSEAS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY

1. Afghanistan

2. Bahrain

3. Egypt

4. Iran

5. Iraq

6. Jordan

7. Kazakhstan

8. Kuwait

9. Kyrgyzstan

10. Lebanon

11. Oman

12. Pakistan

13. Qatar

14. Saudi Arabia

15. Syria

16. Tajikistan

17. Turkmenistan

18. United Arab Emirates (U.A.E)

19. Uzbekistan

20. Yemen

COUNTRIES IN AFRICOM OVERSEAS AREA OF RESPONSIBILITY
(formerly in CENTCOM overseas area of responsibility)

1. Djibouti

2. Ethiopia

3. Eritrea

4. Kenya

5. Seychelles

6. Somalia

7. Sudan

Section 1101 of Public Law 110-417, October 14, 2008, as amended by section 1106 of Public Law 111-84, October 28, 2009, and as further amended by section 1103 of Public Law 111-383, January 7, 2011

SEC. 1101. AUTHORITY TO WAIVE ANNUAL LIMITATION ON PREMIUM PAY AND AGGREGATE LIMITATION ON PAY FOR FEDERAL CIVILIAN EMPLOYEES WORKING OVERSEAS.

(a) WAIVER AUTHORITY.- During the calendar years 2009 through 2011, and notwithstanding section 5547 of title 5, United States Code, the head of an executive agency may waive, the premium pay limitations established in that section up to the annual rate of the salary payable to the Vice President under section 104 of title 3, United States Code, for an employee who performs work while in an overseas location that is in the area of responsibility of the Commander of the United States Central Command, or an overseas location that was formerly in the area of responsibility of the Commander of the United States Central Command but has been moved to the area of responsibility of the Commander of the United States Africa Command, in direct support of or directly related to—

(1) a military operation, including a contingency operation; or

(2) an operation in response to an emergency declared by the President.

(b) APPLICABILITY OF AGGREGATE LIMITATION ON PAY.—

(1) IN GENERAL.—Section 5307 of title 5, United States Code, shall not apply to any employee in any calendar year in which that employee is granted a waiver under subsection (a).

(2) OTHER LIMITATIONS.—In the case of any employees who (disregarding subparagraph (A)) would otherwise be subject to a limitation on premium pay similar to one set forth in section 5547 of title 5, United States Code (as determined by the head of the Executive agency in or under which such employees are employed)—

(A) the agency head may waive that otherwise applicable limitation, to the same extent and in the same manner as would be allowable under subsection (a) if those employees were instead subject to such section 5547; and

(B) if a waiver under subparagraph (A) is granted with respect to such employees, then, neither section 5307 of title 5, United States Code, nor any other similar limitation (as determined by the agency head) shall apply with respect to such employees for purposes of any calendar year for which such waiver is so granted.

(c) ADDITIONAL PAY NOT CONSIDERED BASIC PAY.— To the extent that a waiver under subsection (a) results in payment of additional premium pay of a type that is normally creditable as basic pay for retirement or any other purpose, such additional pay shall not be considered to be basic pay for any purpose, nor shall it be used in computing a lump-sum payment for accumulated and accrued annual leave under section 5551 of title 5, United States Code.

(d) REGULATIONS. — The Director of the Office of Personnel Management may issue regulations to ensure appropriate consistency among heads of executive agencies in the exercise of the authority granted by this section.

Reference: http://www.chcoc.gov/transmittals/TransmittalDetails.aspx?TransmittalID=3567
Tags: Federal Employee Pay

---

Government Shutdown Avoided

---

House OKs measure to avert shutdown; Senate votes Wednesday

'...The House approved a stop-gap measure Tuesday to keep money flowing to federal government for the next two weeks and avert, a government shutdown congressional negotiators grapple with deep divisions to reach a more permanent solution....'

Reference: www.latimes.com
Tags:

---

---

Poll: Majority backs government workers in unions

'...A new national poll delivers some encouraging news for federal employees and their unions: Most Americans oppose weakening the collective bargaining rights of public employees and oppose cutting their pay or benefits to reduce deficits....'

Reference: washingtonpost.com
Tags:

---

Could hackers exploit a Federal Shutdown?

---

How Hackers Could Exploit Federal Government Shutdown

'...One major problem: The federal government's list of critical-need computer security employees has not been updated in over 15 years....'

Reference: www.fastcompany.com
Tags:

---

Is a Government Shutdown Likely?

---

Government Shutdown 2011 Unlikely, White House Press Secretary Says

'...Even though the prospects of a government shutdown escalated when the House of Representatives approved historic spending cuts on Saturday, White House press secretary Jay Carney maintained Tuesday that the shutdown is unlikely. ...'

Reference: www.theepochtimes.com
Tags:

---

---

Congress looks at pay hikes

'...need an automatic pay increase to their $174,000 salary....'

Reference: www.charlotteobserver.com
Tags:

---

Federal Job Cuts

---

John Boehner: If GOP Cuts Cause Federal Job Losses, 'So Be It'

'...House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) said Tuesday that if Republican efforts to cut federal spending resulted in the loss of government jobs, "so be it."...'

Reference: www.huffingtonpost.com
Tags: Federal Jobs

---

---

Federal Occupational Health Turns 65

'...Now serving more than 1.8 million federal workers annually, FOH was created in August 1946 when President Truman signed an amendment to the Public Health Service Act. ...'

Reference: ohsonline.com
Tags: Federal Occupational Health

---

---

TSA chief vows to fire screeners in a strike or work slowdown

'...TSA Administrator John Pistole told the House Homeland Security subcommittee on transportation security that a strike would be highly unlikely, since federal employees do not have the legal right to strike. ...'

Reference: www.federaltimes.com
Tags:

---

federal workforce Union-busting president remembered for positives as well

---

Reagan's complicated legacy for federal workforce

'...This week marks the centennial of Ronald Reagan's birth. When it comes to federal employee issues, he's probably most remembered as a big union-busting president. ...'

Reference: www.washingtonpost.com
Tags:

---

---

Retired federal employee sentenced to 23 months in prison for health care fraud

'...retired federal employee will have to surrender in six weeks to begin serving a 23-month prison term for defrauding the federal health care benefits program by claiming for eight years that he was receiving medical treatment overseas....'

Reference: www.nj.com
Tags:

---

---

Obama salutes money-saving federal employee

'...Trudy Givens, a Bureau of Prisons employee from Wisconsin, won the administration's 2010 "SAVE Award" with the idea of...'

Reference: usatoday.com
Tags:

---

Spending Plan Would Impact Federal Workers

---

GOP Spending Plan Would Impact Federal Workers

'...under the "Spending Reduction Act of 2011," the number of civil service employees would be reduced by 15 percent...'

Reference: ozarksfirst.com
Tags: Federal Worker Cuts

---

Federal Employee Furlough and Pay and Benefit Cuts on the Table

---

Two GOP freshmen to handle federal worker issues

'...federal pay and benefits could be especially contentious. President Obama last year ordered a two-year pay freeze for all federal employees, but the bipartisan deficit commission and several Republican lawmakers want to use a three-year pay freeze, furloughs and...'

Reference: washingtonpost.com
Tags: Federal Employee Furlough

---

National Security Agency cyber security center to be built in Utah

---

Officials mark start of work on Utah cyber center

'...The center is designed to help the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and other agencies protect national security networks and identify cyber threats, although the NSA has refused to disclose its full purpose or function. ...'

Reference: www.bloomberg.com
Tags:

---

---

Pentagon to Cut Budget by $78 Billion Over Five Years

'...The cuts will include a reduction in active troop size and an eventual spending freeze....'

Reference: nymag.com
Tags: Defense Budget Cuts

---

---

Salaries for Federal Employees: Search by name, organization or location

'...Want to know how much your fellow federal employee gets as a salary? Want to know what your federal employee salary is? You can search for federal employees by name or you can look at the names and salaries for each federal worker by location or organization....'

Reference: Federal Employee News
Tags:

---

Growth in Federal Government Employment

---

The Census and Growth in Federal Government Employment

'...2010, seasonally adjusted federal employment reached 3.4 million employees, the highest level of federal employment since May 1990...'

Reference: Federal Employment Tips
Tags: Federal Employment Stats

---

---

IRS employee convicted for wiretapping his boss with Outlook

'...apparently redirected emails using a simple Outlook rule (an automated way to process/sort emails). The supervisor stumbled into it by accident. ...'

Reference: www.ubergizmo.com
Tags:

---