Management
VA Union Seeks Injunction Against Impasses Panel
Among other things, the American Federation of Government Employees argues that the panel, currently composed of anti-labor activists, violates statutory requirements that it be impartial.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Announces Upcoming COVID-19 Loans, Withdrawals
New loan and withdrawal options enacted through the CARES Act will become available in June and July, respectively, while officials have noted other options for participants to access their money are already in place.
Management
Temporary Land Management Employees May Soon Have Pathway to Permanent Employment
The Office of Personnel Management on Friday published proposed regulations that would allow temporary employees at six agencies to apply for permanent posts through merit promotion procedures.
Management
Arbitrator Finds Social Security Violated Federal Labor Law in Negotiations with Administrative Law Judges
An independent arbitrator rules that SSA management engaged in bad faith bargaining by repeatedly withholding information from a union representing the judges as the parties were preparing to negotiate a new contract.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Highlights COVID-19 Withdrawal Options, and More
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Board Delays International Fund Change Amid White House Pressure
Although board members stated the pause was because of the turmoil caused by the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, they pleaded with their newly nominated replacements not to allow politics to enter the decision-making process.
Pay & Benefits
New House COVID-19 Bill Includes Hazard Pay for Feds, Strengthens Protections for Telework and Sick Leave
Pelosi on Tuesday unveiled legislation that would provide up to $10,000 in premium pay for federal workers on the front lines of the coronavirus outbreak and would prevent agencies from exempting employees from paid sick leave benefits.
Pay & Benefits
White House Orders TSP Board to Halt International Fund Index Change
After months of lobbying, President Trump has intervened in the independent agency’s decision to shift foreign investments to a more expansive index of international firms.
Pay & Benefits
House Democrats Urge Leadership to Begin Paid Parental Leave for Feds Early
A group of 12 lawmakers said the new benefit for federal workers, currently slated for implementation in October, should apply retroactively to December.
Pay & Benefits
House Legislation Would Protect Feds’ Unused Leave During Coronavirus Pandemic
Rep. Jennifer Wexton, D-Va., has introduced a bill that would ensure that federal workers who are unable to take a vacation due to the COVID-19 outbreak will not lose their paid leave.
Pay & Benefits
Trump Moves to Replace TSP Board Members, Prompting Concerns of Politicization
The nomination of three new board members follows months of lobbying by Republican lawmakers and advocacy groups to stop the Thrift Savings Plan from changing its international fund to include investments in Chinese companies.
Pay & Benefits
Labor Department Lowers the Bar for Some Feds to Prove Workplace COVID-19 Exposure
Federal workers in jobs like law enforcement and health care who contract the novel coronavirus will automatically qualify for workers compensation benefits, the department said.
Pay & Benefits
Bipartisan Senate Group Urges Hazard Pay for Feds
Nineteen senators encourage authorization of a 25% pay increase for frontline federal workers during the coronavirus pandemic, along with more guidance enhancing telework, leave and other protections for employees.
Management
What Feds Can Do if Called Back to an Unsafe Workplace
As some in the Trump administration push toward “reopening the government,” a federal employment lawyer said worried workers might find solace in existing leave policies and the whistleblower protection statute.
Pay & Benefits
TSP Portfolios Bounce Back after March Losses
All funds in the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program posted gains last month, as the stock market began to rebound from a historic fall.
Pay & Benefits
Lawmakers Prepare New Legislation to Protect TSA Employees During Pandemic
House Democrats will push to pass bills guaranteeing health care and workers compensation benefits for part time transportation security officers.
Oversight
Senate Democrats Demand Answers from OPM on COVID-19 Response
Democrats on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee said that for the last six weeks, the federal government’s HR agency has stonewalled requests for briefings related to its work responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
Pay & Benefits
Feds Sticking With Retirement Investments, More Calls for Hazard Pay
A weekly roundup of pay and benefits news.
Pay & Benefits
House Republicans Propose Federal Hiring, Pay Initiatives to Combat COVID-19
The Republican Study Committee said Congress should streamline the hiring process for federal workers, as well as change the pay system to allow higher compensation for “high skilled” workers.
Management