Travel
Energy Dept. watchdog reports that travel expense violations in secretary’s criticized EV road trip caused by lack of oversight and knowledge
House Republicans blasted the trip as “ripe with waste, fraud and abuse,” but the report found that some of the violations cost the federal government less than $100.
GSA plans new federal employee travel system with $930M IBM contract
The General Services Administration expects 124 civilian agencies to transition to the new system by June 2027.
GSA issues update to rules governing relocation expense reimbursement following real estate lawsuit
A recent deal to settle multiple lawsuits against the National Association of Realtors has changed how real estate agents are compensating, necessitating a tweak to how agencies reimburse federal workers who must relocate for work.
Amid hiring surge, FAA taps outside schools to boost air traffic controller training
The agency is looking to reduce bottlenecks as it attempts to reverse a longstanding slide in air traffic controller staffing.
Updated
Air Marshals say they are reaching a ‘breaking point’ amid brain drain and ‘punishing’ schedules
The federal law enforcement personnel say they need a fresh start in a new agency.
GSA: Per diem rates for federal workers will increase this fall
The amount of money federal agencies will reimburse employees for traveling expenses will increase for both lodging and for meals and incidentals beginning in October.
Staffing, funding shortages forced DHS to release hundreds of ‘inadmissible’ international travelers
In many cases, those travelers never faced efforts to subsequently remove them from the country.
Americans leave a huge chunk of change at airport security checkpoints − here’s what it means for the debate over getting rid of pennies
The latest TSA figure shows that during 2023, air travelers left almost $1 million in small change at checkpoints. This is roughly double the amount left behind in 2012.
FAA will soon be able to hire thousands of new staff as reauthorization bill heads to Biden’s desk
The agency is hopeful the hiring spree will mitigate flight delays, employee fatigue and near accidents at airports.
Congress reaches a bipartisan breakthrough on air traffic controller staffing
After months of false starts, an FAA reauthorization is within reach and promises to address critical workforce shortfalls.
Senate FAA bill drops ‘maximum hiring’ provision aimed at addressing staffing crisis
The bill would take several steps to tackle workforce issues that could cripple the national aviation system, but employee groups are warning they are insufficient.
Biden to require feds to take public transit, other ‘green’ options when traveling
Federal employees should also consider bike sharing or not traveling at all under new guidance.
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Overtime, staffing shortages and shutdowns to blame for recent air safety issues, panel finds
A task force is calling on FAA to "urgently" address its staffing issues to avoid further risks to the flying public.
Biden’s FAA nominee promises renewed focus on reversing air traffic controller understaffing
There is bipartisan support to quickly address the shortfalls.
Per diem rates for federal workers will increase this fall, GSA says
The standard lodging rate will jump by nearly $10 beginning in October, as the government continues to confront recent inflation.
The House, Senate and White House all want more FAA staffing, but disagree on how to get there
All parties acknowledge the agency is facing a crisis that will cause mass disruptions to air travel absent more resources.
Flight Delays Will Spike This Summer Due to FAA Staffing Shortages, the Agency Warns
Union leader says the FAA is taking some positive steps to address the crisis, but a solution is years away.
FAA is Facing a Looming Staffing Crisis as Post-Pandemic Needs Grow
Lawmakers suggest expanding the workforce pool to fill shortages, noting the aviation industry is overwhelmingly staffed by white men.
GSA Announces Travel Per Diem Rates, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
FAA-Caused Flight Delays in New York Preview Potential 'Crisis' in Coming Years
The agency says it is addressing staffing shortages that have contributed to an unusually disruptive summer, but groups warn FAA is not sufficiently planning.
A Federal Employee Group Has Renewed Calls for Agencies to Protect Workers Post-Roe
Among the requests are for administrative leave and travel reimbursement for federal workers who must travel across state lines to receive abortion services, as well as the ability to opt out of relocating to states that ban the procedure.
