Oversight
Largest Federal Labor Union Opposes Trump’s Pick for Top USDA Lawyer
AFGE says Stephen Vaden “has shown contempt” for union contract, while Democratic senators question his experience, defense of controversial voter ID laws.
Pay & Benefits
Defense Bill Compromise Includes a Bigger 2018 Pay Raise for Military Members
Democrats vow a fight for civilian pay parity.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Hardship Withdrawal Programs Extended, OPM Waives Pay Cap for Disaster Volunteers and More
A weekly round-up of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Are Flocking to the Same Few Health Care Plans Despite Choices
Blue Cross Blue Shield market share in FEHBP has increased substantially since 2000 despite growing competition, analysis finds.
Management
OPM Retirement Backlog Balloons Again in October
Agency says training, lack of overtime funding have hampered processing efforts.
Oversight
Senate Panel Requests Information on Whistleblower Retaliation at TSA
Committee leadership highlights poor FEVS scores on questions relating to whistleblower protections, "arbitrary" actions.
Management
Appointee Watch: Agriculture Nominee Withdraws, Fed Chair Nominated, and More
More ambassadorial nominees announced amid Trump comments on vacancies at State.
Management
House Panel Approves Bill Doubling Feds’ Probationary Period
Democrats object to provision they say would reduce due process rights for employees.
Pay & Benefits
Leave Transfer for Wildfires, TSP Portfolios Grow, and More
A weekly round-up of pay and benefits news.
Management
Drop in Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey Participation Raises Concerns
OPM’s engagement metric doesn’t take into account agency response rates, potentially masking declines in morale.
Pay & Benefits
House Vote Takes Federal Retirement Cuts Off the Table For Now
Federal benefit cuts could still be on the horizon through other legislative avenues.
Pay & Benefits
TSP to Trade Speed for Security, IRS Announces Max Contribution Increase, and More
A weekly round-up of pay and benefits news.
Management
Appointee Watch: OPM Nominees Receive a Hearing, Drug Czar Pick Withdraws
Trump announces nominations for U.S. Army, Labor, Housing and Urban Development.
Management
TSP Officials to Reflect on Declining Employee Engagement Results
Agency saw decreases in both satisfaction and engagement on this year’s Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey.
Pay & Benefits
Survey: Thrift Savings Plan Participants Still Want Greater Flexibility
Nearly 90 percent of feds are satisfied with the 401(k)-style retirement savings program.
Pay & Benefits
Leaked Compensation Proposals Could Have ‘Huge’ Repercussions for Civil Service
Advocates, observers fear a degradation in the government’s recruitment abilities.
Pay & Benefits
Report: White House Officials Backed 2019 Pay Freeze, $300 Billion in Cuts to Employee Compensation
Memo leaked to liberal news site also proposes eliminating FERS defined benefit program and retiree health benefits for new hires.
Pay & Benefits
Senate Approves Budget Plan, Setting Up Fight Over Fed Benefit Cuts
The House version of the resolution includes $32 billion in cuts, likely to employee retirement and health insurance programs.
Oversight
Senator Threatens to Hold Up OPM Nominee Over Obamacare Rule Spat
Chairman of oversight committee has long sought documents related to a rule allowing congressional staff to purchase insurance on a small business exchange and receive employer subsidies.
Pay & Benefits