Workforce

Federal Employee Union Membership is Up 20%

Since implementation of a number of pro-labor policies a year ago, federal employee unions gained 80,000 new dues-paying members.

Workforce

VA Claims Progress in Union Talks. The Union Begs to Differ.

AFGE officials say department management continues to push illegal proposals in contract negotiations, and that claims the parties have reached “tentative agreements” are fabricated.

Workforce

VA Broke Settlement Agreement, Continued Bad Faith Bargaining, Arbitrator Finds

The American Federation of Government Employees and the Veterans Affairs Department have negotiated fruitlessly over a new union contract for more than a year.

Workforce

NTEU's Longtime President Will Retire in August

Tony Reardon has been a member of the federal employee union for more than 30 years and has served two four-year terms at its helm.

Workforce

Telework Isn't to Blame for Government Backlogs and Inefficiencies, OPM Director Says

Kiran Ahuja defends telework before skeptical Republicans, amid efforts to improve data collection around agencies’ use of workplace flexibilities.

Workforce

Workforce and Service Delivery Still Front and Center in Biden’s 2024 Budget

The White House’s fiscal roadmap continues to focus on rebuilding the federal workforce and making it easier to obtain services from agencies.

Pay & Benefits

Biden Officially Proposes an Average 5.2% Pay Increase for Federal Workers and the Military in 2024

The largest proposed pay raise for federal employees since the Carter administration still falls short of the demands of some Democrats and unions.

Pay & Benefits

Biden Reportedly Will Propose a 5.2% Pay Raise for Feds in 2024

This would mark the largest boost federal employees have seen since the Carter administration, but still falls short of union and Democrats’ demands.

Pay & Benefits

A Bill to Protect Feds During Shutdowns Is Back, This Time With Debt Default Safeguards Too

The measure would suspend the enforcement of civil penalties related to falling behind on bills until 30 days after the end of a government shutdown or debt ceiling breach.

Management

Skills Gaps Within OPM’s Own Workforce Could Make It Less Able to Help Others

The government’s human resources agency has outlined an ambitious agenda to make sure agencies are fully staffed, with the people who have the skills necessary for their jobs.

Pay & Benefits

Bill to Boost Federal Firefighters’ Retirement Benefits is Back

Rep. Gerry Connolly’s legislation would include mandatory overtime hours in calculations to determine federal firefighters’ pension benefits.

Workforce

DeSantis Endorses Schedule F Ahead of Possible Presidential Run

The Florida governor, widely expected to run for president in 2024, called for “cleaning out” science agencies like the CDC, NIH and FDA.

Pay & Benefits

TSP Portfolios Backslide in February

After a strong start to the year, most of the funds in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program lost ground.

Pay & Benefits

TSP Recordkeeper Says Things Are Getting Much Better, After a Rocky Transition

Officials from Accenture Federal Services committed Tuesday to working continuously to boost customer satisfaction.

Workforce

Federal Pay and Benefits Won’t Be Used as a Bargaining Chip in Debt Ceiling Talks, If NTEU Has Any Say

National Treasury Employees Union National President Tony Reardon said his union is prepared to push for better pay and benefits, as well as to protect federal workers from attacks to their rights and workplace flexibilities.

Workforce

Cutting Civilian Defense Jobs Won't Eliminate the Real Waste at the Pentagon, Union Says

If lawmakers want to find savings at the Pentagon, they should start with underperforming weapons systems and service contracts, AFGE officials said.

Workforce

Agencies Would Have to Think Harder Before Relocating, Under a New Bill

The legislation comes after a watchdog agency concluded hastily conducted relocations during the Trump administration caused staff exoduses and harmed agencies’ service delivery.

Workforce

OPM Launches a New Web Portal for Federal Internships

The federal government’s HR agency describes the new section of USAJOBS as a “one-stop shop” for students seeking to explore a career in public service.

Pay & Benefits

Federal Prisons Employees Aren’t Entitled to COVID Hazard Pay, Appeals Judges Rule

In a 10-2 decision, the appeals court said OPM regulations around hazardous duty pay only address the handling of “virulent biologicals” in a laboratory setting, not “ambient” exposure to infected individuals.