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Pay & Benefits
Walkinshaw to push for federal pay raise in lame duck spending talks
The Northern Virginia congressman also said Thursday that he sees a “path” to restoring federal employees’ collective bargaining rights next year.
Workforce
Post-midterms, federal unions push for pay raise, restoration of bargaining rights
Labor leaders said they are hopeful lawmakers could tackle some priorities in Congress’ "lame duck" session, ahead of Democrats’ formally taking control of both the House and Senate next year.
Oversight
OPM formally ends FEVS in favor of agency-specific surveys
Federal employees and good government groups warn the promulgation of smaller, shorter surveys means agencies will miss out on important information about the health of their organizations.
Pay & Benefits
Most TSP funds decline again in October
Just two of the core portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program finished last month in the black.
Workforce
Mediation agency finalizes rule allowing denial of arbitrator requests
Union officials said that though the final rule is an improvement over the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service’s initial plan, it still improperly usurps arbitrators’ authority.
Workforce
Judge: ‘Article II’ firings violate separation of powers, civil service law
U.S. District Judge Jesse Furman said adopting the Trump administration’s argument that the Civil Service Reform Act usurps presidential power would “unsettle the very equilibrium of this nation’s constitutional system.”
Workforce
Bureau of Prisons seeks another shot at ending union contracts
One union local president said he is still routinely denied official time, has meeting requests ignored, and that his prison has failed to reinstitute compressed work schedules.
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Management
‘It’s The Price is Right’: How USCIS artificially deflated employee ratings under forced distribution mandate
A federal whistleblower says the agency instituted a forced distribution of employee performance ratings last year, months before the Trump administration lifted a ban on the practice.
Workforce
Union seeks new avenue to restore VA contract
The American Federation of Government Employees asked a federal judge to issue an “indicative” ruling that would only take effect if OKed by the First Circuit Court of Appeals.
Workforce
Judge again orders reinstatement of Bureau of Prisons union contracts, but stops short of contempt
U.S. District Judge Jordan Oliver found that the agency’s re-termination of its collective bargaining agreements last week violated last month’s preliminary injunction but said he would not police individual contract infractions.
Workforce
VA allows union contract to expire for most employees
Individuals hired as departmental police officers, firefighters and security guards, exempted from Trump’s anti-union orders, remain covered under the expired collective bargaining agreement, albeit only for “mandatory” conditions of employment.
Pay & Benefits
Cost-of-living adjustments for federal retirees to increase next year
Former federal workers are set to receive between 2.6% and 3.6% more from their retirement annuity next year, according to new numbers from the Social Security Administration.
Workforce
Bureau of Prisons re-terminates union contracts despite court order
Attorneys for the Trump administration said there is nothing in U.S. District Judge Vernon Oliver’s preliminary injunction preventing BOP from canceling its collective bargaining agreements a second time.
Workforce
Union demands federal prison leaders be held in contempt after agency ‘openly defies’ court order
The U.S. Bureau of Prisons director reportedly said in a meeting shortly before an injunction required him to restore the agency’s union contracts, “I don’t take directives from the court. I take my orders from the president.”
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Workforce
Bureau of Prisons is the latest agency ordered to reinstate union rights
As of Tuesday, at least one correctional facility has refused to recognize its union local, in apparent contravention of a preliminary injunction issued last week.
Workforce
Appeals court seemingly OKs VA’s contested union contract expiration
A three-judge panel found that a judge’s ruling in August forcing the VA to maintain its CBAs with AFGE improperly delved into questions of compliance with particular contract provisions.
Pay & Benefits
Federal employees’ health insurance premiums to rise by double digits for third straight year
Some insurance carriers have undergone wide swings in cost, as at least one plan’s premiums will more than double next year.
Pay & Benefits
TSP funds were back in the negative in September
The performance of portfolios in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program largely mirrored market-wide declines.
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Workforce
EPA union sues management over contract termination
AFGE accused EPA leadership of implementing President Trump’s executive order stripping many federal employees of their collective bargaining rights partly so it could discipline employees who signed an open letter criticizing Administrator Lee Zeldin more easily.
Management
Following court order, OPM replaces 'favorite EO' question for jobseekers
The Office of Personnel Management’s latest essay question for federal job applicants asks less about their personal politics and more about their ability to follow instructions.
