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.

Workforce

Lawmakers Are Doubling Down on the Effort to Prevent the Next Schedule F

The latest legislative proposal to block presidents from unilaterally stripping federal workers of their civil service protections creates additional barriers to reclassifying employees.

Workforce

The Nation’s Largest Federal Employee Union Celebrates Recent Wins, and Braces for Fights Ahead

American Federation of Government Employees National President Everett Kelley says the union is prepared to defend against Republican attacks on official time and other labor policies.

Workforce

Labor Authority Denies Union Request to Block Outside Groups from Seeking Policy Statements

The National Treasury Employees Union had sought to bar organizations that do not represent federal workers from asking the Federal Labor Relations Authority to change their policies.

Pay & Benefits

A Bill to Fix a Customs and Border Protection Retirement Snafu Is Revived in the Senate

More than 1,000 Customs and Border Protection officers were mistakenly promised enhanced retirement benefits, only to have them taken away once the agency realized its error.

Pay & Benefits

Lawmakers Try Again to Standardize Cost of Living Raises for Federal Retirees

Federal employee groups have long decried the fact that retirees enrolled in the Federal Employees Retirement System receive lower annual annuity adjustments than their peers.

Pay & Benefits

A Bipartisan Proposal to Give Feds 12 Weeks of Paid Family Leave Is Back

The bill would grant federal workers additional paid leave to deal with chronic health issues, a sick family member or in connection with a family member on active military duty.

Pay & Benefits

A Senator Is Once Again Trying to Keep TSP Investments Out of China

The TSP Fiduciary Security Act would require the agency that administers the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program to consider national security issues as part of its decision-making process.

Workforce

OPM Deputy Touts Agency’s Newly Proactive Stance on Labor Issues

Rob Shriver says recent efforts by officials to mediate labor-management disputes is part of the Office of Personnel Management’s transformation into being the government’s leader on human capital issues.

Pay & Benefits

Biden Instructs Agencies to Expand Some Forms of Paid, Unpaid Leave for Feds

A memo to agency heads urges them to support federal workers who need to take paid or unpaid leave for a family matter or to escape from domestic violence and other dangerous situations.

Workforce

House Republicans Vote to Turn Back Time on Telework Policies

The SHOW UP Act would require federal agencies to revert to their telework policies prior to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pay & Benefits

All TSP Portfolios Started Strong in 2023

Every fund in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program posted gains in January.

Workforce

Federal Firefighter Groups Find Flaws in a Watchdog's Conclusions on Recruitment, Retention Challenges

GAO didn’t speak to enough frontline firefighters to form a holistic set of recommendations to address the staffing shortage affecting agencies that fight wildfires, groups say.

Workforce

OPM to Agencies: Make Sure You Haven’t Incorrectly Told Employees They Can’t Join a Union

The directive is aimed at correcting instances where employees were improperly labeled as management officials.

Pay & Benefits

Congressional Democrats Propose an 8.7% Pay Raise for Feds in 2024

The annually introduced bill would provide a 4.7% across-the-board increase in basic pay and an average 4% increase to locality pay.

Oversight

OPM Has Replaced Its Embattled CFO Following Harassment Report

The Defense Department inspector general recently substantiated complaints that the senior executive sexually harassed subordinates and used racial slurs.