Pay & Benefits
Senate sends 3.9 percent pay raise to President Bush
Unions and management groups applaud the pay increase, but note the measure will place strain on some agencies by holding funding level.
Defense
Defense finalizes changes to pay system rules
Unions will consider filing suit over the new regulations if the next presidential administration doesn’t repeal the system entirely.
Pay & Benefits
Federal health premiums to rise 7 percent in 2009
Rate hike the highest since 2005; union official calls it discouraging.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Tumult
Investors antsy to make more trades should remember that the federal employee retirement plan isn’t designed for that.
Pay & Benefits
House passes stopgap measure with 3.9 percent pay raise
Figure matches the hike authorized by the House for military members.
Pay & Benefits
OPM opposes domestic partnership benefits bill
Panel witnesses and lawmakers dispute agency’s claim that extending such benefits could lead to insurance fraud.
Oversight
Obama reform plan bears traces of Clinton and Bush efforts
Management specialists applaud what appears to be a continued focus on program performance and results.
Oversight
Senior diplomats in short supply
Top State Department official calls shortage of public diplomacy officers “grim” in testimony before Senate panel.
Pay & Benefits
Agencies spend more money on personnel flexibilities in 2007
Defense, VA make the most of hiring incentives to fill certain jobs and help bridge gap between federal and private sector pay.
Oversight
Postal Service freezes hiring, promotions
Move follows agency's decision last month to offer early retirement to up to 130,000 clerks, mail handlers and supervisors.
Oversight
Treasury plan to create new government entity comes under question
Proposal would set up an organization that would buy troubled assets from financial institutions to prevent them from failing.
Defense
TSA volunteers lend a hand in Houston after Ike
Union expresses concerns about hurricane-related disciplinary actions, but TSA disputes reports.
Defense
Presidential campaigns urged to prepare for DHS transition
McCain, Obama should name potential Homeland Security appointees before the November election, say witnesses at a congressional hearing.
Pay & Benefits
FDA hires 1,300 new doctors and scientists
Staff increase will help agency fill oversight and inspection gaps.
Pay & Benefits
CSRS vs. FERS: 2008 Edition
A new take on an age-old debate about which retirement system is better.
Pay & Benefits
Women’s group broadens outreach efforts in federal hiring
FEW and Food Safety and Inspection Service pair up to recruit and train women.
Defense