Oversight
Obama backs extension of benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees
President issues memo granting limited benefits immediately and endorses legislation providing full benefits.
Oversight
House members ask Obama to bring back labor-management partnerships
Reviving Clinton-era setup would strengthen communication between federal leaders and employee representatives, Democrats say.
Pay & Benefits
Panel backs bill that could spell end of Defense pay system
Measure requiring the Pentagon to report on why the National Security Personnel System shouldn’t be abolished in a year now goes to the full House.
Pay & Benefits
Retirement savings plan reforms could unfold rapidly
TSP board prepares to implement at least one provision in recently passed tobacco legislation as early as next month.
Oversight
Acquisition reform recommendations run the gamut
Panelists agree that improving the size, competency of acquisition workforce is the right place to start.
Pay & Benefits
Bills would boost leave and retirement benefits for administrative judges
Those in certain judicial posts are getting shortchanged compared with federal executives, critics say.
Defense
Lawmakers could deal Pentagon pay system another blow
Legislative provision would move NSPS employees back to the General Schedule unless Defense demonstrated improvements.
Defense
DHS could be overestimating costs of new border agents
High locality pay figures might be driving up anticipated price tag, according to GAO analysis.
Oversight
OMB releases hiring reform, budget guidelines
Agencies must report to the administration within the next six months on efforts to simplify the federal hiring process and reduce spending.
Oversight
Acquisition reform group warns government not to rush insourcing
Report says agencies could lose contractors’ valuable skills if conversion is not managed properly.
Pay & Benefits
Tobacco bill heads to Obama without sick leave fix
The House overwhelmingly voted on Friday to accept the Senate’s version of the legislation without federal retirement reforms.
Pay & Benefits
Virginia lawmaker suggests bottom-up approach to pay reform
Employees are more likely to buy into a new pay system if they have a say in its development, Connolly says.
Pay & Benefits
Sick leave fix is not likely to reappear in tobacco bill
Majority leader says House may accept Senate version of legislation, which leaves out some federal pay and benefits reforms.
Oversight
OPM director calls for more action on gay rights
Along with Attorney General Eric Holder, John Berry pledges president’s support to expand access to federal benefits.
Pay & Benefits
COLA Calculations
Retirees got a nice cost-of-living bump in 2009, but they might not see another one for a few years.
Pay & Benefits
Bill advances with TSP reforms, but not sick leave fix
Senate’s version of tobacco legislation leaves out provision that would allow FERS employees to cash out unused sick time at retirement.
Oversight
Panel finds contracting blunders hinder wartime operations
Government does not have enough capable acquisition officials monitoring contracts on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, commission reports.
Pay & Benefits
Senate climate favors paid parental leave bill, supporters say
Legislation providing federal benefit so far has not provoked the kind opposition it faced in the House.
Oversight