Workforce

Justice Dept. Continues to Insist Immigration Judges Union is ‘Defunct,’ Despite Moving to Nullify Decertification Decision

Although the Biden administration has asked to withdraw the prior administration’s petition to classify immigration judges as management officials, it has continued to aggressively defend against litigation over the union’s decertification.

Workforce

Annual Defense Policy Bill Includes Repeal of Two-Year Probationary Period for Pentagon Hires

The reduction of the probationary period to one year is among several provisions in the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act that will affect civilian personnel.

Pay & Benefits

Biden Formalizes Plan for Average 2.7% Raise for Civilian Feds in 2022

The White House published an alternative pay plan for the federal workforce providing a 2.2% across the board raise along with an average increase of 0.5% to locality pay.

Pay & Benefits

Feds to Receive Administrative Leave for Vaccinations

New guidance from the White House Safer Federal Workforce Task Force simplifies the process for federal employees to receive leave to get themselves or family members vaccinated.

Management

Republicans Demand Answers on Ouster of Social Security Commissioner

GOP lawmakers call the firing of Andrew Saul “unlawful” and ask the comptroller general to outline how acting Commissioner Kilolo Kijakazi’s powers may be constrained by the Vacancies Act.

Workforce

More Stringent Vaccine Mandates On the Way for Some Feds

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that with full FDA authorization of the Pfizer vaccine, more agencies could announce more stringent mandates than President Biden’s governmentwide policy.

Workforce

Biden Names New Impasses Panel Members

The Federal Service Impasses Panel, whose members do not require Senate confirmation, has sat vacant since President Biden ousted all 10 members in February.

Pay & Benefits

What Still Needs to Happen for Feds to Get a Pay Raise Next Year

President Biden has until the end of this month to formally announce his plan to give federal workers an average 2.7% pay raise in 2022.

Pay & Benefits

Federal Firefighters to See Pay Increase Next Week

The pay raise, intended to ensure firefighters receive at least $15 per hour, was promised by President Biden earlier this year and will be retroactive to June 30.

Workforce

OPM Rule Eases Agency Hiring of Interns

Under regulations slated for publication Wednesday, agencies will be able to hire job candidates still in college to temporary jobs and can eventually convert them to permanent positions.

Pay & Benefits

GSA Announces Fiscal 2022 Travel Per Diem Rates

The per diem for lodging will remain at fiscal 2021 levels next year, due to the downturn in hotel prices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Workforce

Judge Dismisses Most of Abuse Victims’ Lawsuit Against AFGE Officials

After describing claims against individual AFGE officials over their inaction to stop former President J. David Cox’s sexual abuse as not “viable,” a federal judge preserved only four claims against the union and Cox himself.

Management

OMB: Agency Equity Metrics a Work in Progress, Services Too Burdensome for Disadvantaged Groups

Acting OMB Director Shalanda Young described the measurement of equitable service as a “nascent” field, in need of constant development and review.

Pay & Benefits

Federal Prosecutors Call on Justice Dept. to Close Pay Gap With Other Lawyers

An employee association said assistant U.S. attorneys make as much as $40,000 less than other attorneys at the Justice Department, a gap that hinders the corps’ diversity goals.

Workforce

HHS Agrees to Reset Labor Relations, While Education Heads to Administrative Trial

While HHS and NTEU said they will work to resolve long-running litigation, the Education Department and AFGE are set to head to trial over several unfair labor practice complaints.

Workforce

Feds Could Be Fired, Imprisoned for Lying About Vaccination Status

Unions may have to bargain over vaccination policy implementation after the fact.