Defense
GOP seeks to broker deal on civil service issues in homeland bill
House Republicans are scrambling to reach a compromise with Democrats over the civil service rules that would govern the 170,000 employees of the proposed Homeland Security Department.
Pay & Benefits
Army personnel continue to abuse government charge cards
Despite more than two years of congressional scrutiny and stiffer penalties, some Army employees continue to abuse government-issued travel and purchase cards, witnesses told lawmakers at a House hearing Wednesday.
Defense
Administration defends request for waiver of civil service rules
OPM Director Kay Coles James urged Congress Tuesday to grant the secretary of the new Homeland Security Department broad freedom to waive civil service laws.
Management
Panel approves pay raise, rejects OMB job competition plan
A Senate Appropriations subcommittee approved a 4.1 percent pay raise for federal employees and voted to curb a White House plan to let private firms bid on thousands of federal jobs.
Defense
House panel backs civil service protections in homeland bill
The House Government Reform Committee has voted to ensure that federal employees slated to move into the proposed Department of Homeland Security retain civil service protections.
Defense
Dem leaders grill administration officials on homeland department
House Democratic leaders pointedly questioned Bush administration officials Thursday about proposed changes to civil service rules in the bill to create a Homeland Security Department.
Pay & Benefits
Trust and pay
Federal workers are skeptical about proposals to give managers more power over their pay. Managers aren’t sure they want that power either.
Defense
Bush seeks employee support for homeland security reorganization
President Bush Wednesday asked federal employees to be patient and support his proposal for a Homeland Security Department, but did not directly address concerns about workers’ rights or pay.
Defense