Management

Time running out to nominate a Democrat to labor board

Senate Democrats urge President Bush to make an appointment for the required slot.

Pay & Benefits

Grading the Grading System

A new report questions the helpfulness of five-level grading schemes that will be used to decide pay.

Pay & Benefits

Senators back extending federal benefits to same-sex partners

Two Republican co-sponsors are the first to cross the aisle for the effort.

Pay & Benefits

Congress blocks funding for Pentagon labor system

Bill also provides for a 2.2 percent military pay raise, setting lower precedent for civilians.

Defense

Officials forgo Supreme Court appeal in DHS labor case

The Homeland Security Department will reenter talks with unions to plan a new system that fits within legal requirements.

Management

OPM scolded over SES pay system's unpopularity

In survey released last week, executives expressed dissatisfaction with pay-for-performance system.

Pay & Benefits

Health care employees benefit from retention bonuses

Upper-level employees at the GS-11 through GS-15 levels granted more incentives, OPM reports.

Management

Public service academy effort gains bipartisan support

Republican Sen. Arlen Specter signs on at the last minute, rounding out sponsorship.

Pay & Benefits

The More You Know

Federal employees and retirees will now be able to compare actual drug and medical procedure costs among some insurance plans.

Management

Hispanic underrepresentation not government’s fault, GAO finds

Citizenship, education requirements for federal jobs found to contribute to lower representation.

Defense

Pentagon may seek an extension of labor relations deadline

Lengthy regulation development process, and delays caused by court case, may mean more time is needed, deputy secretary says.

Pay & Benefits

Federal health premiums to rise only slightly

OPM draws on reserve funds to keep costs down, in a move a union official says helps the government more than employees.

Management

Senior execs pan performance pay system

Half of respondents to a survey said their agencies are using quota systems to distribute ratings, despite a prohibition.

Pay & Benefits

Of Sound Mind

Federal plans take the lead in providing mental health coverage.

Management

VA responds to low certification test grades with more training

Union blames veterans service representatives’ poor exam performance on inadequate help with preparation.

Pay & Benefits

Federal employees’ job tenure on the decline

Private sector workers staying longer on the job, but median stay is more than six years shorter than that for feds.

Management

Nuclear agency goes on hiring spree

NRC adds about 1,300 employees to keep up with increased energy demands.

Pay & Benefits

Dental and Vision Preview

Details of the new federal benefit are coming in.

Management

Public sector unions gain ground in labor movement

Government workers on track to become majority of union members nationwide.

Pay & Benefits

TSP sticks with Barclays to run funds

The first-ever simultaneous bidding process ends with the same company at the helm.