Management

A tall task awaits O’Malley at Social Security

If confirmed, the former governor faces a likely uphill battle to lobby Congress for funding and to reverse a decades-long decline in staffing to alleviate workloads for a workforce in crisis.

Workforce

‘There’s no fat left to trim’: FLRA chairwoman warns of possible furloughs in 2024

The agency tasked with overseeing labor-management relations in the federal government had a smaller budget in fiscal 2023 than it did in 2004.

Workforce

Impasses panel preserves telework levels for FEC bargaining unit workers

FEC officials had argued that employees need more “water cooler discussions,” despite the agency’s own assessment of a pilot program finding that increased telework improved agency operations.

Pay & Benefits

Court sides with Biden administration in dismissing federal employee union’s effort to eradicate debt default threat

Federal workers do not have standing after Congress narrowly avoided forcing them to work without immediate pay, judge rules.

Management

Underfunding presents operations and cybersecurity challenges for FLRA in fiscal 2024, OIG says

The independent agency tasked with overseeing labor issues within the federal government is currently operating at the same budget level it was 20 years ago, while its unfair labor practice case load has risen 62% in the last four years. 

Pay & Benefits

Large federal unions endorse the auto worker strike action. A scholar explains why

“They know their job security depends on not just protecting their own rights, but a strong private sector,” says John P. Beck, of Michigan State University.

Workforce

New NTEU president scolds GOP over telework, anti-worker rhetoric

The recently elected union leader said labor groups need to do more to educate the public on how federal workers benefit their lives.

Management

Social Security Advisory Board urges quick action on SSA nominee, end to 6-year terms

Since the Social Security Administration was made independent from the Health and Human Services Department in the 1990s, only two of the agency’s commissioners have served the full six-year term.

Workforce

OPM deputy defends administration's telework approach, touts ‘consensus-building’ in workforce policymaking

Rob Shriver argues the White House's calls to increase in-person work are consistent with the HR agency’s prior policies.

Management

Coalition of unions endorses O’Malley to lead Social Security

The Federal Workers Alliance urged senators to move quickly to confirm President Biden’s nominee to run the Social Security Administration, noting that the embattled agency has been without a permanent commissioner for eight of the last 10 years.

Workforce

Nation’s largest federal employee union endorses O'Malley to lead Social Security

News of the American Federation of Government Employees’ support for former Maryland Gov. Martin O'Malley, Biden’s pick to lead the embattled agency, comes amid a détente between the union and management, whose relationship has been acrimonious in recent years.

Workforce

Bill to ban agencies from deducting union dues from feds’ paychecks pushed in House

Unions say the measure is designed not to help workers, but rather to interfere with their decision whether to join a labor organization.

Workforce

Retiring NTEU president reflects on three decades in organized labor

Tony Reardon on Thursday handed the reins of the National Treasury Employees Union to newly elected national president Doreen Greenwald.

Workforce

In battle with federal employee union, Biden fights to preserve the debt ceiling

The Biden administration is arguing that federal workers do not have standing in the case and it should therefore be thrown out.

Workforce

VA, AFGE celebrate ‘best union contract’ in federal government

After six years of often acrimonious negotiations, the Veterans Affairs Department and the nation’s largest federal employee union on Tuesday signed a new collective bargaining agreement.

Workforce

White House calls on agencies to 'aggressively' reduce telework this fall

Chief of Staff Jeff Zients instructed agencies to focus on executing plans to increase in-person work in September and October.

Workforce

TSA employees are finally earning similar wages to most other federal workers

Officials on Thursday celebrated the arrival of an up-to-30% pay raise for Transportation Security Administration employees this week, but warned that House spending plans could derail recent progress.

Management

Biden taps former Maryland governor for Social Security commissioner

Martin O’Malley served two terms as governor before a failed presidential campaign in 2016.