Workforce
OPM claims agencies can ignore union telework contracts
A new memo instructing agencies to cease enforcing union-negotiated telework policies under the guise of “management rights” could portend future assaults on collective bargaining.
Workforce
Trump signs memo that claims to cancel late Biden-era union contracts
Although the president railed against collective bargaining agreements signed at the Social Security Administration and the Education Department shortly before his inauguration, it’s unlikely any of those deals will be upended by the measure.
Workforce
House Oversight Republicans open Congress with rants against telework, unions
The first hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee was ostensibly about telework yet frequently devolved into anti-union rhetoric.
Workforce
Federal employee unions dismayed—but not surprised—by sudden shutdown threat
President-elect Trump and Elon Musk on Wednesday blew up a bipartisan deal to fund the government past this week, increasing the odds of a government shutdown Saturday.
Management
Will civil service protections hold up against RFK Jr.’s threats to the federal public health workforce?
Kennedy, Trump’s pick to lead HHS, has talked openly about removing swaths of civil servants at FDA and NIH.
Workforce
Immigration judges seek renewed union recognition
In a controversial November 2020 decision, the Federal Labor Relations Authority overruled its regional director and decertified the National Association of Immigration Judges.
Workforce
Federal employees could be more easily removed under new House bill
Rep. Barry Loudermilk’s, R-Ga., MERIT Act proposes radical civil service reforms, including repealing statutes governing unacceptable performance actions, ending union grievances based on adverse personnel actions and prohibiting furlough appeals.
Pay & Benefits
Schumer tells feds he’ll call a vote on windfall elimination provision repeal
The Social Security Fairness Act, which would repeal to controversial tax provisions affecting some federal workers and retirees, has 63 sponsors in the Senate, more than the 60 votes needed to force a vote on the measure.
Workforce
Ernst’s report documenting telework ‘abuse’ obscures more than it reveals
The Iowa senator and head of a new caucus related to President-elect Trump’s planned government efficiency commission misrepresented key statistics regarding telework’s usage at federal agencies.
Workforce
SSA, AFGE reach deal to lock in current telework levels until 2029
Union leaders said that for many, the workplace flexibility is the only thing preventing a mass exodus of overworked employees from the embattled agency.
Workforce
Bureau of Prisons to close 7 facilities, threatening about 400 federal jobs
AFGE says employees who remain with BOP will face “disruptive relocations.”
Management
Trump names financial tech CEO to lead Social Security
The appointment would mark Frank Bisignano's first foray into government following a career at banks and financial technology companies.
Pay & Benefits
Feds in 2024 made almost a quarter less than their private sector peers
The Federal Salary Council, which reported the disparity, also recommended creating new locality pay areas in Kennewick-Richland-Walla Walla, Wash., and Syracuse-Auburn, N.Y.
Workforce
Feds brace for return of Trump personnel policies
Federal employee unions sought to balance reassuring members that they will fight the return of measures undermining feds’ civil service protections with asserting their commitment to nonpartisan service.
Management
What Trump’s win means for the federal workforce
The Republican former president has vowed to remake the civil service in his image with the reinstatement of Schedule F.
Workforce
Newly formed union accuses NIH of slow-walking bargaining negotiations
NIH Fellows United and agency management are still trying to reach a tentative agreement on pay, discipline and anti-harassment protections before potentially voting on a contract.
Pay & Benefits
More than 200K postal employees are in line for a 5% raise spread over three years
The agreement took 20 months of negotiations but some workers think the raises are insufficient.
Updated
Workforce
Labor Dept. to require workers to spend half of work time in-person, angering union
The National Council of Field Labor Locals said Acting Labor Secretary Julie Su shirked her collective bargaining responsibilities by reducing telework while the union’s negotiability appeal is still pending before the Federal Labor Relations Authority.
Workforce
House Dems reintroduce bill to expand VA health care employees’ union rights
The VA Employees Fairness Act would extend full federal collective bargaining rights to Title 38 health care workers at the Veterans Affairs Department, though its chances of passage are slim.
Workforce