Veterans
Trump quietly hired political appointees under a new job classification, good government group reports
While Schedule G is not officially set up in regulation, the Office of Personnel Management emphasized that the position category for political appointees was established by executive order and that the agency issued implementing guidance.
8 midterm races for federal employees to watch
Several high-profile races, including Senate elections in Maine, Georgia and Texas, could impact civil servants.
VA rolls out CLEAR login option and in-person identity verification pilot
The new offering will allow participating veterans to use facial recognition to access their VA.gov accounts.
Appeals court seemingly OKs VA’s contested union contract expiration
A three-judge panel found that a judge’s ruling in August forcing the VA to maintain its CBAs with AFGE improperly delved into questions of compliance with particular contract provisions.
VA disputes arbitration fees split with union it’s fighting to no longer recognize
VA officials say the agency will pay a "portion" of what a third-party arbitrator billed it, but is "unable to pay” for services rendered when VA didn't officially recognize its largest union.
Updated
VA’s reported staffing challenges in healthcare facilities hit 7-year high
An annual report from VA’s inspector general office highlights the types of positions VA healthcare facilities have difficulty filling when they need to hire, but “does not necessarily indicate the presence of vacancies.”
VA watchdog uses AI to help compile healthcare facility audits
The Office of Inspector General has been using Copilot Chat “to review inspection data such as interview transcripts, documents, questionnaire responses, and physical observations.”
What does 9/11 mean for young public servants who hardly remember it?
Although they may have limited memories of the terrorist attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, some people say the events still shaped their career decisions.
Trump signs veterans benefits order calling for improved data sharing
The order instructs the departments of Veterans Affairs and Defense to conduct a broad review of information technology-related contracts to ensure greater interoperability.
VA’s benefits system overhaul is running into some familiar problems
An audit found gaps in planning, cost estimates and oversight that could put the modernization effort further behind schedule.
Judge rejects VA’s third attempt to cancel union contracts
U.S. District Judge Melissa DuBose OK'd a motion to enforce her prior preliminary injunction preserving collective bargaining at the Veterans Affairs Department on the eve of its planned termination of a collective bargaining agreement with AFGE.
Featured eBooks
Updated
GSA official put on leave for social media post saying veterans’ preference in federal hiring is hampering tech recruiting
A government workforce expert told Government Executive that many hiring rules, including veterans’ preference, have become “procedural hurdles rather than achieving the intended outcome” because they haven’t been updated in decades.
VA’s third attempt to scrap union contract heads back to court
The Veterans Affairs Department says it is following the terms of an expiring agreement. AFGE argues VA is ignoring a requirement to keep the contract in place during negotiations.
House GOP cancels VA overhaul vote again
House Republicans narrowly defeated a motion that would have sent the Take Care of America’s Veterans Act back to committee but has struggled to build support for its counter to a looming discharge petition to advance another bill aimed at increasing veterans’ benefits.
VA’s push to shorten benefits forms needs more public input
The Department of Veterans Affairs is asking veterans and others to weigh in on proposed changes to two lengthy applications.
Updated
Some disabled veterans say losing telework accommodations is making it harder for them to keep working at the VA
Employees with disabilities at several agencies have alleged that they’re being forced to return to the office, even though the Trump administration’s directive ending telework flexibility for the civil service exempted those with qualifying reasonable accommodations.
As opposition mounts, House cancels vote on VA overhaul bill
House Democrats and veterans service organizations warned that a bill Republicans claim will increase benefits "robs Peter to pay Paul" and hastens efforts to privatize veteran health care.
VA redesignates LGBTQ+ care coordinators and limits further ‘gender-ideology’ services
VA gave officials 14 days to comply with a June 12 memo that calls for facilities to take additional steps in response to previous executive orders on gender and diversity, equity and inclusion programs.
GOP’s VA overhaul bill narrows some employees’ rights, spurs privatization, union says
The Take Care of America’s Veterans Act also would cut some vets’ disability benefits and push the Veterans Affairs Department to bring back telework in some form.
VA CIO nominee vows to create program management office
Gary Shatswell, President Donald Trump’s pick to helm VA’s IT operations, told lawmakers creating the office is “one of the first tasks that I will be going after” if confirmed to the role.
