National President
Dougan released a statement Thursday condemning
the SAFE Act, a bill that would diminish the
value of federal pensions by more than 40
percent.
Featured Press Release
National President Dougan Issues Statement on Bill Slashing Federal Retirement Benefits“It is laughable to suggest that the SAFE Act is intended to preserve the viability of the federal retirement system. You would be hard-pressed to find anyone who agrees that reducing federal workers’ pension benefits by 40 percent would somehow improve their retirement security. Rep. Ross argues that these benefits are unaffordable and must be curtailed to alleviate the deficit, but don’t be mistaken – this proposal is driven more by ideological politics than sound public policy. The facts are that underfunding of federal pensions was dealt with nearly 30 years ago when pensions were cut in half and fully funded benefits were mandated. Today the Federal Employees Retirement System is fully funded and serves as a model of efficiency, affordability, and reliability." : : MORE
News Articles
Your Retirement: Congress Debates Future of Federal Pension Benefits at House Hearing
At a House Federal Workforce Subcommittee hearing Wednesday, Chairman Dennis Ross (R-FL) and Ranking Member Stephen Lynch (D-MA) were joined by a panel of experts to discuss the state of federal employee retirement benefits. Though no strong conclusions were reached, the debate focused sharply on federal pensions, and whether they should be cut back. The hearing began with an opening statement from Ross, who argued that federal benefits are excessive must align more closely with private sector benefits. During his opening statement, Lynch saw things much differently than his House colleague. He argued that Ross’ idea of improving federal employees’ retirement is to eliminate their pension benefit all together.
News Item · National Federation of Federal Employees · Jan 25, 2012
Major Change Coming as NFFE Shifts to New Model of Unionism with 2012 Organizing and Recruiting Strategic Plan
This fall, NFFE leadership from throughout the country gathered at the IAM’s Winpisinger Center to develop a new plan for the future of our union’s organizing and recruitment efforts. By week’s end however, NFFE left the Center with a commitment to fundamentally transform the way our union does business: the 2012 NFFE Organizing and Recruiting Strategic Plan. The change we are pursuing is to transform our thinking from a servicing model to a more effective organizing model. With forty percent of the federal workforce retiring over the next decade, the need for a new way forward could not be more apparent. To make matters worse, anti-government members of Congress are growing bolder in their attempts to dismantle the federal workforce. The time to get organized and get active is now.
News Item · National Federation of Federal Employees · Jan 23, 2012
SURVEY: NFFE Considering Retiree Program; Give Us Your Feedback!
NFFE is considering the formation of a NFFE retirees program, and we would like to hear from you whether there is interest in this concept. A NFFE retiree program would be good thing for this union because many retired NFFE members want to remain connected with the union, but currently don’t have a program that keeps them as engaged as they would like to be. In fact, numerous retirees have contacted NFFE National in the last year inquiring about a retiree program in which they wish to participate. With more and more federal workers retiring every day, it is clear that now is the time – if ever – to put this program in place.
News Item · National Federation of Federal Employees · Jan 19, 2012
Press Releases
National President Dougan Issues Statement on House Federal Retirement Hearing
“The CSRS and FERS pensions are the bedrock of the retirement security for millions of current and former federal employees. These modest retirement benefits provide a small but dependable income for retirees who dedicated years – often decades – of their lives to national service. Misleading statements suggesting federal retirement benefits are excessive are not just unfair, they are simply untrue. Today the federal retirement system is a model of efficiency, reliability, and stability for taxpayers and the retirees who served them. If we are to continue to deliver a high level of service to the American people, we must have a retirement system that rewards years of dedicated service. We have that today, and will do all we can to preserve it for tomorrow."
Press Release · Jan 25, 2012
National President Dougan Issues Statement on Obama Government Reorganization Proposal
“In these lean economic times, difficult decisions have to be made, and more efficient delivery of government services is required. President Obama’s fast-track consolidation proposal announced today is an example of that. Though his proposal shows promise for rooting out inefficiencies, the fact that a restructuring could lead to large-scale lay-offs is a very serious concern. With millions of American workers already unemployed, we are looking for proposals that create jobs, not eliminate them. Our sincere hope is that as these federal agencies are reconfigured, they find a way to make sure thousands of people working in these agencies aren’t given pink slips.”
Press Release · Jan 13, 2012
News Feeds
Congress not warming to proposed new base-closing commission
Resistance flashed by members of both parties, especially in New England.
News Item · Govexec · Jan 27, 2012
Federal Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra to step down
Chopra, who plans to leave office Feb. 8, was the first to hold the position.
News Item · Govexec · Jan 27, 2012
Recovery Act spurs risk management lessons at Energy
Program that funded now-bankrupt solar firm Solyndra was mostly well managed, IG finds.
News Item · Govexec · Jan 27, 2012
Arlington Cemetery shows much improvement, but problems remain
Despite progress after investigations of mismanagement, operations are still under a watchful eye.
News Item · Govexec · Jan 27, 2012