Defense

Senator fights to keep state and local security grants

Senate panel chief will not support the administration’s homeland security spending proposal.

Pay & Benefits

Meet and Confer

Federal personnel officials will get together with union negotiators Thursday to iron out the details of the meet and confer period.

News

Congressman offers, then withdraws, pay parity amendment

Maine Democrat says he will use his new seat on the House Budget Committee to push for equal pay raises for military and civilian federal employees.

News

FAA rejects employees’ attempt to settle salary cap lawsuit

A group of workers who are unhappy about their frozen base salaries are pushing forward with a lawsuit against the agency.

Pay & Benefits

House chairman opposes retiree pre-tax health premium bill

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Bill Thomas, R-Calif., is a powerful voice against a bill that could save federal retirees an average of $400 annually.

Defense

Senators try again to strengthen public health workforce

Proposed legislation would provide scholarships and loan repayments for government public health workers.

Pay & Benefits

Pick Your Fights

Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., told union members Wednesday that the Bush administration is trying to do away with collective bargaining.

Pay & Benefits

Bill on retiree health insurance premiums could stall again

Early optimism for premium conversion legislation has not spread to the House Ways and Means Committee.

Pay & Benefits

Pre-tax health premium bill for retirees surfaces again in Congress

A leading Republican senator says he will not rest until the bill is passed.

News

Comments on new Defense personnel system highlight fears

Defense Department Web site has received more than 600 comments on the proposed system on its Web site.

Pay & Benefits

Three locality pay areas dropped for 2006

The president’s pay agent also decided to add three new areas next year.

Pay & Benefits

Overhaul Objections

A coalition of unions has filed a lawsuit in an effort to force the Defense Department to start over with its personnel reform effort.

Pay & Benefits

EPA employees report problems with pay system

Agency says any new system will have challenges, but problems with paychecks are rare.

Pay & Benefits

Limited Support

Even among Republicans on Capitol Hill, the Bush administration’s push for sweeping personnel reform still has only qualified backing.

Defense

Senator urges go-slow approach to personnel reform

Sen. George Voinovich, R-Ohio, wants to see the results of efforts at Homeland Security and Defense before taking reform governmentwide.

Pay & Benefits

Easing the Burden

House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer wants the government to pay a higher percentage of health insurance premiums.

Defense

DHS personnel system attacked, lauded

Several officials tell Senate subcommittee that extensive training is needed if overhaul of system is to succeed.

Pay & Benefits

House Government Reform Committee creates new subpanels

In reorganization, Rep. Jon Porter, R-Nev., will lead new Federal Workforce and Agency Organization Subcommittee.

News

Bush administration wants to cut CDC funding

Public health advocacy groups say reduced funding will lead to disaster.

Pay & Benefits

Washington-area lawmakers pledge to fight for pay parity

Union official less optimistic about equal pay increases for military service members and civil servants in 2006.