Pay & Benefits
Congress Extends Sequester to Pay for Veterans Benefits
The legislation restores a 1 percent cost-of-living adjustment to military retirees' pensions by extending the mandatory sequester cuts an additional year.
Management
Obama Issues Order Boosting Minimum Wage for Contractors
Increase only covers contracts issued starting Jan. 1, 2015.
Management
Lawmakers Clash With Senior Execs Over Power to Fire at Veterans Affairs
New legislation would give department secretary more authority to sack top career employees for alleged mismanagement.
Pay & Benefits
Senate Republicans in a Box on Veterans Benefits
Democratic majority is pushing for a bill that repeals cuts to military pensions without offsetting the cost.
Pay & Benefits
House Votes to Repeal Cuts to Vets Benefits, Partially Extend Sequester
But the $6 billion battle will be largely fought in the Senate.
Nextgov
Defense Mulls Location-Specific Health Record Licenses
The department wants to buy discounted software on an enterprise basis.
Pay & Benefits
Union Leader: 'We’re Not Taking Crap From Nobody'
American Federation of Government Employees president J. David Cox says union will campaign aggressively in upcoming midterm elections.
Nextgov
How to Make Data-Based Hiring Decisions
Typical resumé fodder may not be predictive of an employee’s performance.
Nextgov
Five Major Drug Chains to Adopt Blue Button Prescription Standards
Wide use of VA-developed data format expected to reduce dosing errors, save lives.
Management
Your Post Office Now Wants to Be Your Bank
USPS is thinking about financial services—debit cards and small loans. But first, America's banks would have to get on board, or at least out of the way.
Nextgov
Sham 'My Army Benefits' Site May Have Stolen Soldiers' Credentials
The unofficial site purports to offer soldiers unclaimed and accumulated financial assistance.
Pay & Benefits
Democrats Set Trap for Republicans on Veterans Benefits
Both parties are racing to reverse $6 billion in military retirements cuts, but first they plan to trade plenty of partisan blows.
Pay & Benefits
Federal Retirements Surge in January
OPM processes fewer claims than it had projected.
Management
Senate Panel Approves Postal Service Overhaul
After debating pricing structure and guns in post offices, committee finally advances landmark reform bill.
Nextgov
AFGE Rep: VA Paperless Claims System Shuts Down on a Weekly Basis
System also can’t handle increased workloads.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Still Fighting for Additional Shutdown Pay
Meanwhile, Congress and the Pentagon weigh adjustments to military compensation.
Pay & Benefits
Can Uncle Sam Help Vets Get Bang for Their College Buck?
Veterans Affairs is promising its program will help students effectively use their GI Bill tuition funding.
Pay & Benefits
House Approves Bill to Temporarily Ban Senior Exec Bonuses at VA
Legislation would end performance awards through 2018 for top employees and save an estimated $18 million.
Pay & Benefits