Oversight
Congress approves Hatch Act update
Some state and local officials will be able to run for partisan elected office.
Pay & Benefits
House backs unpaid leave for senior execs under investigation
Bill clears chamber with overwhelming bipartisan support; will move to the Senate.
Pay & Benefits
A less popular fed petition: Actually, don't give us Christmas Eve off
Signatories say they are happy just to have jobs over the holidays.
Pay & Benefits
Postal reps stage hunger strike, pledge 'escalating tactics' on lawmakers
Union representatives protest against cuts to Postal Service.
Pay & Benefits
Fed groups blast possible fiscal cliff switch to less generous COLA formula
Moving to a chained CPI would significantly reduce retirement benefits, opponents say.
Pay & Benefits
Fiscal cliff offers include switch to chained CPI
Retirees are bracing themselves for the strong possibility that a less generous COLA formula is part of deficit reduction.
Defense
Service members to receive higher housing allowance in 2013
Annual rates up by 3.8 percent on average.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Roth continues to grow in popularity
The retirement option’s assets near $100 million at the end of November.
Pay & Benefits
Feds force Obama to respond to Christmas Eve petition
Online petition to get an extra day off on Dec. 24 reaches 25,000 signatures.
Defense
House lawmakers want colleagues to drop provision slashing up to 36,000 Pentagon jobs
Washington-area reps ask Defense bill negotiators to get rid of Senate language cutting civilian and contractor workforce.
Pay & Benefits
Analysis: The cost of the pay freeze outweighs the savings
Low morale and loss of talent could hobble government for years to come.
Management
Employee satisfaction dips by record margin, with pay taking biggest plunge
Two-thirds of agencies see decrease in ratings on Best Places to Work survey.
Pay & Benefits
Maryland Democrat: Federal pay and benefits remain a GOP target
Lawmaker says he isn’t aware of specific proposals to reduce fed compensation being touted by Republican leadership in fiscal cliff talks.
Pay & Benefits
Sequestration could mean furloughs for more than 2,000 air traffic controllers
Safety inspectors and engineers also would be affected, union says.
Pay & Benefits
Customs and Border agents could receive back pay under labor arbitration
Decision may mean between $3,000 and $5,000 for some translators.
Pay & Benefits
Supreme Court: Feds can challenge MSPB decisions in federal district court
Justices say government’s argument was too convoluted.
Management
23,600 employees accept Postal Service buyouts
Separation incentives are part of ongoing workforce reduction effort as lawmakers continue to pursue reforms.
Pay & Benefits
Survey: Feds have it good compared to private sector workers
Most Americans continue to believe government employees are less industrious and have more job security.
Pay & Benefits