Author Archive
Pay & Benefits
Large federal unions endorse the auto worker strike action. A scholar explains why
“They know their job security depends on not just protecting their own rights, but a strong private sector,” says John P. Beck, of Michigan State University.
Pay & Benefits
Come again? Political scientist sees shutdown as 'likely'— and feds need to get ready
With days left until funding for the federal government expires, some political experts foresee not only a shutdown, but possibly a long one, with an interruption in pay likely
Pay & Benefits
Pay compression: One expert says a current bill would help, but deeper changes are still needed
“The relatively low pay for very skilled, very experienced workers is a serious problem,” says James L. Perry, professor emeritus of public administration at the University of Indiana.
Pay & Benefits
Expanded telework, a benefit now under threat, effectively boosts pay for hundreds of thousands of feds
Working from home pinches far more than pennies.
Pay & Benefits
Choke points: Labor historian discusses how public-sector unions took hold
Private-sector union strategies and growth have helped public-sector unions and employees.
Pay & Benefits
Bill aims to reinstate tax deduction for fed union dues, and more
Pay and benefits updates you may have missed.
Pay & Benefits
Military Survivor Annuity Program finally offers long-promised open season to choose new beneficiaries
Some retired service members say they are either outright denied or given an impossible runaround when they try to update their elections, but Defense agency pushes back on those allegations.
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Pay & Benefits
TSP website problems drag and Defense firefighters raise lag
Pay and benefits updates you may have missed.
Pay & Benefits
House GOP plan to curb fed pay and benefits would come at a cost, experts say
Morale, recruitment and retention are likely to take a hit, and there are better ways to save money.
Pay & Benefits
Dead Letter Box: A union advocate’s plea for more reliable notifications to fed retirees
News updates and stories you may have missed.
Pay & Benefits
The GOP wants to bring back pay for performance, but a leading expert says it’ll never work
Past pay-for-performance efforts have done “double duty as a kind of way to diminish the unions, go after the rank and file, and that was clear,” a researcher says.
Pay & Benefits
Even The Best Federal Health Benefits Won’t Protect You From The Wildfire Smoke
Great insurance and benefits only helps you to manage potentially terrible consequences. Better to prevent.
Pay & Benefits
Some Feds Fear They Might Not Get That Pay Raise Now That the Debt Deal is Inked
“The new debt ceiling deal could somehow encourage some in Congress to try for a limitation of 1% or something very low. This would be a huge problem,” says one fed union leader.
Pay & Benefits
Postal Union Expects a ‘Smooth Transition,’ But Notes Possible Bumps In the Road for the New Health Benefit Program
Employees, retirees and family members are expected to shift to the Postal Service Health Benefits Plan by Jan. 1, 2025.
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Pay & Benefits
A Labor Economist Predicts Stability in the Fed Pay Trendline, But With a Big Caveat
“There is always a long lag between when higher inflation starts to eat into a fed paycheck and when that paycheck starts to respond to inflation,” one compensation expert says.
Pay & Benefits
Fed Pay and Benefits Could be Hit Hard by Debt Ceiling Wheeling and Dealing
There are a few scenarios that could be bad for federal workers in the debt ceiling negotiations.
Pay & Benefits
'Benefits Envy' May Be Partly to Blame for the Erosion of Fed Compensation
“The sense that public employees have stuff that’s better” than that of private-sector workers persists, says one expert.
Pay & Benefits
Pay and Prestige For Civil Servants: The Historical Advantages—and Disadvantages—of Government Work
The advantages have “helped to recruit and keep some very good people in government work,” according to one academic.
Pay & Benefits
From Wildland Firefighters to Defense Language Instructors, Sometimes The Pay Is Way Too Low
Defense Language Institute employees are now in a pitched struggle to gain better pay.
Pay & Benefits