Oversight
GAO: Forest Service upgrades to wildfire communications and tracking imperiled by Trump’s workforce downsizing
The U.S. Forest Service neither agreed nor disagreed with a recommendation to develop a strategic plan for upgrading systems to track wildfire fighting resources, instead taking issue with the title of the government watchdog’s report.
Workforce
Labor groups warn of ‘gaping hole’ in First Amendment if court OKs Trump’s anti-union orders
The full U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit will reexamine a prior decision allowing the White House’s effort to strip two-thirds of the federal workforce of their collective bargaining rights to go into effect.
Pay & Benefits
Your guide to pay and benefits during a shutdown
A lapse in appropriations looked likely after Senate Democrats rejected a plan to keep federal agencies open past Sept. 30, while the House is not expected to return to Washington until next month.
Workforce
Virginia lawmaker takes over advocacy for federal workforce bills
Rep. James Walkinshaw this week formally assumed lead sponsorship for a series of bills introduced each year by his predecessor, the late Rep. Gerry, Connolly, D-Va.
Workforce
Bill to nullify Trump’s union executive orders introduced by 48 senators
All Senate Democrats and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, have signed on as sponsors of the Protect America’s Workforce Act, while the measure is just two signatures away from guaranteed floor debate in the House.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers sound alarm on administration of USPS health care program
The Office of Personnel Management still has less than half of the IT staff needed to support postal workers’ employer-sponsored health insurance program as it prepares for its second-ever open season this fall.
Workforce
House NDAA would exempt Defense civilians from union ban
Union officials said Friday that a discharge petition Is just two signatures shy of the 218 needed to force a floor vote on legislation to undo President Trump’s executive order barring collective bargaining at most federal agencies.
Workforce
Unions urge VA to restore bargaining ahead of deadline
President Trump’s order extending a ban on collective bargaining to additional agencies opened the door for more labor groups to continue representing employees at the Veterans Affairs and Defense departments.
Management
OPM implements years-in-the-making update to federal hiring process
The "rule of many" aims to give federal hiring managers more information and choices as they evaluate job candidates.
Management
Social Security announces leadership team light on government experience
The agency’s new leadership roster — announced alongside a reorganization plan sources say is short on details — is intended to bring a fresh perspective into SSA, its commissioner said. Critics argue they lack the expertise usually required of most agency leaders.
Pay & Benefits
OPM lays out early plans for law enforcement-only pay raise
Federal employee groups decried President Trump’s plan to raise pay for most civilian employees by just 1% next year while giving military service members and law enforcement officers 3.8%.
Workforce
More unions sue following second edict banning them, alleging retaliation
Although left off the initial list of agencies where the Trump administration wants to ban unions, two labor groups said they were targeted after seeking to enforce their collective bargaining agreements.
Pay & Benefits
All TSP funds were back in the black in August
The Thrift Savings Plan’s international investments rebounded last month after lagging behind other portfolios in July.
Updated
Workforce
A fresh executive order aims to ban unions at more federal agencies
A new edict published alongside President Trump’s proclamation celebrating Labor Day seeks to outlaw collective bargaining at more than half a dozen additional agencies under the auspices of “national security.”
Workforce
Appeals court will reconsider decision to allow Trump’s anti-union order to take effect
The announcement comes as the Trump administration has seemingly reneged on promises to hold off on fully implementing the edict until lawsuits seeking to block the order are complete.
Workforce
HHS the latest to cancel union contracts and implement Trump’s order
The decision seemingly contradicts the Office of Personnel Management’s guidance not to terminate collective bargaining agreements while litigation challenging the edict progresses, though it was recently amended only to prohibit NTEU contract terminations.
Pay & Benefits
Trump’s pay freeze plan expected by end of month
The president must publish his alternative pay plan by Aug. 31 if he wishes to avert automatic large-scale increases to locality pay under the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act.
Oversight
OPM will forego FEVS in 2025, despite law requiring it
The Office of Personnel Management did not answer questions regarding how the federal government will administer a survey of the 16 core Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey questions, which are spelled out in statute.
Workforce
Judge certifies class in lawsuit on behalf of ex-USAID workers, contractors
Though a federal appeals court previously blocked Judge Theodore Chuang’s injunction finding the Trump administration’s efforts to shutter the foreign aid agency to be ‘likely unconstitutional,’ the case is again moving forward under an amended complaint.
Oversight