Management
USPS and Cuba in Talks to Resume Direct Mail Service
Postal service between the two countries has stalled for 50 years.
Management
Lawmakers Hope to Save Overnight Mail Delivery
Bill would put off closures of mail distribution centers.
Management
Bedbugs Infest Homeland Security Office in Vermont
For the third time since April, exterminators have been called in to deal with the pests.
Oversight
Bill Would Reverse Green Initiatives for New Federal Buildings
Lawmakers want to undo plans to reduce coal and natural gas consumption in federal government.
Pay & Benefits
Postal Service Settles Discrimination Lawsuit for $17.3 Million
40,000 former and current postal employees stand to collect about $300 each.
Pay & Benefits
Three Agencies Shuttered Friday Due to Furloughs
IRS, HUD, USTR are closed as employees take unpaid leave.
Oversight
House Oversight Chair Makes Another Attempt at Postal Overhaul
Draft reform bill includes some concessions from a 2011 proposal.
Defense
Navy Bans Racy Pinups
Separately, a group asks the Pentagon to stop selling porn on bases, cites sexual assault crisis.
Defense
Retirement Cuts Offset Health Care Spending Increases in Defense Bill
Extension of TRICARE Prime would increase costs, while eliminating back pay to some retirees would reduce them.
Pay & Benefits
White House Cancels Presidential Rank Awards
A group representing federal senior execs says move may violate federal law.
Management
Senior Energy Official Convinces Colleagues to Hire His Three Children
Official defends himself, says sending around resumes on behalf of relatives is common.
Pay & Benefits
Defense Civilians Make Last Ditch Effort to End Furloughs
Online petition says feds have borne the brunt of cuts over the last three years.
Pay & Benefits
Fired Whistleblower Receives $820K Settlement from Labor Department
OSHA employee was suspended with pay for two years before termination.
Pay & Benefits
Mail Carrier’s Scam Thwarted by Price Is Right Appearance
USPS employee pleads guilty to lying about on-the-job injury.
Pay & Benefits
Preserve CBP Overtime While Canceling Furloughs, Lawmaker Says
Overtime elimination is ‘window of opportunity for criminals,’ lawmaker says.
Pay & Benefits
MSPB Could Face ‘Unprecedented’ Wave of Furlough Appeals
Union encouraging members to challenge all furlough decisions.
Pay & Benefits
OPM Issues Guidance on How to Partially Retire
Eligible employees will work half time and get half their retirement benefits.
Management
Secret Man Caves Found in EPA Warehouse
Agency has issued stop work order to the contractor responsible for the hidden rooms.
Pay & Benefits
Supreme Court Awards Fed’s Death Benefits to Ex-Wife, Despite Remarriage
Court says $124,558.03 in benefits must go to designated beneficiary, per federal statute.
Pay & Benefits