http://www.nffe.org National Federation of Federal Employees Sat, 13 Mar 2010 05:47:46 CST en-us http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/20738 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/20738 Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:18:53 CST The cut-off date for reduced room rates for the IAM 2010 Legislative Conference is April 1, 2010. The Conference will be held May 10-13 at the Hyatt Regency in Washington, D.C. The Conference will kick off on Monday, May 10 at 1:30 p.m. with opening remarks by Headquarters GVP Rich Michalski, who will serve as permanent chairperson. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/20051 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/20051 Wed, 24 Feb 2010 15:23:33 CST This morning, NFFE Legislative Director Randy Erwin sat down with Federal News Radio's Mike Causey to discuss the latest news in DoD's effort to transition covered workers from the controversial National Security Personnel System (NSPS) back into existing pay systems. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/19507 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/19507 Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:35:37 CST NFFE is excited to announce that five Locals are being rewarded for their efforts and commitment to building their membership. These Locals, nominated by their respective business representatives and approved by NFFE's National Organizing Committee, will each receive a free trip to Washington, D.C. for one member to attend the 2010 IAM Legislative Conference, also known as Lobby Week. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/19490 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/19490 Wed, 17 Feb 2010 10:36:21 CST The Federal Employee Education and Assistance Fund (FEEA), a non-profit organization that provides scholarships and emergency assistance to federal employees and their families, is now accepting applications for its annual scholarship competition. Last year, NFFE and FEEA teamed up to dedicate a scholarship to the memory of their late board vice president, and our beloved national president, Richard N. Brown. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/19475 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/19475 Fri, 12 Feb 2010 15:46:10 CST The IAM is now accepting entries to its annual Newsletter and Website Contest, a competition that awards excellence in both print and digital labor journalism. The contest is open to all locals and districts in good standing that have regularly distributed publications for its members and/or regularly updated websites. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/19429 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/19429 Fri, 05 Feb 2010 12:16:38 CST This morning, NFFE Legislative Director Randy Erwin joined Fed Talk's Bill Bransford and other panel members on Federal News Radio to discuss the newly formed Federal Workers Alliance (FWA). Alongside fellow FWA founding members Matthew Biggs of the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE) and Michael Filler, Director for the Public Services Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Erwin discussed some of the FWA's highest legislative priorities... http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18863 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18863 Thu, 28 Jan 2010 13:26:19 CST In last night's State of the Union address, President Obama proposed a three-year discretionary spending freeze on federal funding that is not related to national security. For agencies not exempted from the budget freeze, it is too soon to tell what the impact for each will be. The freeze is proposed to take effect in Fiscal Year 2011. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18875 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18875 Fri, 29 Jan 2010 15:16:26 CST Survivors of the massive earthquake that struck Haiti need your help. The city is devastated. The number of dead and injured is estimated to be more than 100,000. Your donation will help rush life-saving relief supplies including food, clean water, medical supplies, blankets and tents to the Haitian people. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18228 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18228 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 11:48:08 CST Yesterday, employees in the U.S. Forest Service Human Resources Management (HRM) department in Albuquerque, NM voted in favor of representation by the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE). Nearly 65% of the bargaining unit turned out to vote yesterday, a very high turnout for a union election. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18185 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18185 Wed, 20 Jan 2010 09:13:01 CST Today, the National Office is proud to announce the launch of the newest tool in its growing communications repertoire, the NFFE Facebook page. Facebook, a vast social networking site wherein individuals and groups can interact online, is a powerful tool for communications, organizing, and advocacy of all kinds. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18209 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18209 Thu, 21 Jan 2010 09:31:27 CST The popular Negotiation Preparation for Bargaining Committees class at the IAM's William W. Winpisinger Education and Technology got off to a busy start in 2010 when members of the NFFE-IAM GSA Council Negotiating Team met last week to prepare proposals for the upcoming contract negotiations with the General Services Administration (GSA). http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18147 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/18147 Fri, 15 Jan 2010 10:37:50 CST Thursday, NFFE National President William R. Dougan attended the White House Forum on Modernizing Government, an afternoon event focused on improving the efficiency of government services. Participating were some of the greatest minds in the federal and private sectors, including federal labor leaders, high-level agency executives, and more than 50 of the country's top CEO's. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17616 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17616 Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:44:39 CST This year's fourth edition of NFFE's quarterly newsletter, the Federal Employee, is now available! http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17525 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17525 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:10:54 CST NFFE and the IAM Government Employees Department will hold a pair of "Federal Employees Basic Programs" on February 7-12, 2010 and March 14-19, 2010, at the William W. Winpisinger Center in Placid Harbour, Maryland. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17530 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17530 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 15:16:55 CST Thisnbsp;morning, NFFE Legislative Director Randy Erwin sat down with Federal News Radio's Mike Causey to discuss some of the biggest victories federal employees on Capitol Hill this past year. Covering issues such as the FERS sick leave benefit, the repeal of NSPS, and this year's pay adjustment, the nearly hour-long interview touched on a number of important issues impacting federal workers. Full audio of the interview can be accessed below. Click Here to Listen to the Full Interview http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17533 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17533 Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:27:01 CST When it comes to providing employee benefits, Uncle Sam strives to be a model employer. But there's rust on his halo. Take a look at thousands of Forest Service workers who get no health and retirement benefits, despite years of service to the federal government. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17218 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17218 Tue, 01 Dec 2009 16:39:13 CST This week NFFE welcomes the newest member of the National Office staff, General Counsel Stefan Sutich. He succeeds NFFE's former General Counsel Susan Grundmann, who is now serving the Obama Administration as Chairman of the Merit Systems Protections Board. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17163 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17163 Tue, 24 Nov 2009 22:10:33 CST At a Monday morning press conference on Capitol Hill, a number of family advocacy groups urged congressional support for the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (FEPPLA), H.R.626/S.354, a bill that would extend four weeks of paid parental leave to federal workers caring for their recently born, adopted or fostered child. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17121 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/17121 Thu, 19 Nov 2009 11:56:34 CST The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Wednesday passed the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act, H.R. 2517, a bill that would extend spousal benefits to same-sex partners of federal employees. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16482 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16482 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:49:33 CST Veteran's Day is a day of celebration to honor America's veterans for their patriotism, love of country and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good. It provides an opportunity for us to remember and honor the sacrifices our veterans have made in defending our country and protecting the rights and privileges we all continue to enjoy. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16435 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16435 Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:21:43 CST Nearly 20 years after the passage of the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act, legislation that established the federal locality pay structure but left those stationed in Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. territories out of the system, federal workers from these areas will soon be getting justly compensated for their service. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16392 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16392 Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:18:47 CST Yesterday morning, NFFE Legislative Director Randy Erwin sat down with Federal News Radio's Mike Causey to discuss some of the latest developments for federal employees on Capitol Hill. Covering issues such as the FERS sick leave benefit, the repeal of NSPS, and this year's pay adjustment, the nearly hour-long interview touched on a number of important issues impacting federal workers. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16309 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16309 Fri, 30 Oct 2009 16:34:57 CDT This week, President Obama signed the 2010 National Defense Authorization Act. While a full repeal of the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) dominated headlines, one largely underreported aspect of the bill - and arguably one of the most important for federal employees throughout the civil service - was a provision extending credit for accrued sick leave to federal workers enrolled in the Federal Employee Retirement System (FERS). http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16204 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16204 Fri, 23 Oct 2009 13:58:48 CDT Late Thursday, the Senate approved the final version of the 2010 Defense Authorization Act, advancing the key legislation to the White House for President Obama's approval. Passed by a margin of 68-29, the annual appropriations measure carries with it a series of crucial federal employee priorities that are sure to have a profound impact on the workforce in the coming years. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16170 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16170 Wed, 21 Oct 2009 14:25:40 CDT Since its publication last month, there has been a great deal of discussion and enthusiasm regarding NFFE's new Organizing Strategic Plan. Many Locals have begun submitting questions and comments about the document, as well as specific organizing plans and targets for their Locals for the remainder of 2009 and beyond. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16112 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16112 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 13:38:39 CDT Current and former employees at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) may be eligible for back pay. The United States Court of Federal Claims ruled that the VA should have paid certain employees the customary weekend premium pay of 25 percent, or night premium pay of 10 percent, whenever they used paid leave instead of working their weekend or evening shifts anytime from September 5, 1995 until now. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16115 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16115 Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:09:14 CDT Friday, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs held a hearing on the Domestic Partnership Benefits and Obligations Act (S. 1102). Introduced this past May, the legislation would provide same-sex domestic partners of federal employees access to the same benefits as their heterosexual counterparts. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16066 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16066 Wed, 14 Oct 2009 20:15:25 CDT Yesterday, the U.S. Senate cleared a bill that would put veterans' health care programs on a two-year budget cycle. The measure (HR 1016), which cleared by voice vote, would authorize appropriations for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical care programs one year in advance of the start of each fiscal year. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16009 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/16009 Fri, 09 Oct 2009 10:51:53 CDT The House of Representatives passed the conference report on the FY 2010 Defense Authorization Act, which includes provisions to repeal the National Security Personnel System (NSPS) and convert the over 200,000 employees enrolled under the program back into existing pay systems. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/15965 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/15965 Wed, 07 Oct 2009 15:15:11 CDT Today, in a news release issued by the Senate Armed Services Committee, Chairman Carl Levin and Ranking Member John McCain announced the contents of the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act conference report, which contained a series of crucial federal employee initiatives. The highlight of the report, and undoubtedly the greatest development for federal workers, is the provision repealing the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/15816 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/15816 Fri, 02 Oct 2009 09:13:16 CDT Delegates from across the U.S. and Canada met in Vancouver, British Columbia, to discuss the union's strategy for staying on the forefront of 21st century communications. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/15668 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/15668 Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:33:30 CDT After months of hard work, today NFFE is proud to introduce the new and improved Federal Employee newsletter. Working in conjunction with our new printer, Harris Lithographics, NFFE has redesigned the Federal Employee to better reflect the union's brand and deliver a sleeker, more professional product to our current and potential members. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13930 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13930 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:52:24 CDT This week, National President Dougan announced that David Stamey will become NFFE's newest National Business Representative, filling the slot vacated by now-Assistant Directing Business Representative James Davis. Stamey, a 21 year veteran of the federal workforce and 15 year NFFE member, holds extensive labor relations experience at the Local, Regional, and National Levels. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13933 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13933 Fri, 28 Aug 2009 15:11:57 CDT Yesterday, NFFE National President William R. Dougan sat on a panel with several other federal employee representatives to discuss federal pay reform at the Blacks in Government (BIG) conference in Baltimore, Maryland. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13888 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13888 Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:50:53 CDT Recently, the IAM announced the winners of its annual Newsletter and Website Contest, a competition that honors excellence and innovation in both print and digital media. Out of a field of hundreds of Locals and Districts, one name appeared time and time again: NFFE-IAM. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13800 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13800 Wed, 12 Aug 2009 14:25:02 CDT Friday, the Senate confirmed by unanimous consent the appointments of Julia Akins-Clark as General Counsel and Ernest DuBester as Member to the Federal Labor Relations Authority. Both appointees have extensive backgrounds in federal labor relations, each having served federal employees in some capacity for nearly two decades. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13599 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13599 Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:17:17 CDT Last week, an effort to advance several key federal workforce initiatives in Congress suffered a major setback after the amendment was withdrawn from consideration in the Senate's version of the Fiscal Year 2010 Defense Authorization bill. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13523 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13523 Tue, 21 Jul 2009 08:11:54 CDT Last Thursday, NFFE National President William R. Dougan sat down with key Department leadership at the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Washington, DC, to discuss key issues affecting USDA employees across the country. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13451 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13451 Tue, 14 Jul 2009 16:07:52 CDT In accordance with the Bylaws of the National Federation of Federal Employees, National-Secretary Treasurer William R. Dougan will succeed the late Richard N. Brown as NFFE National President. Having resumed business on July 14, 2009, following the funeral proceedings, William R. Dougan released the following statement. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13411 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13411 Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:37:42 CDT This week, key committees in both houses of Congress approved figures for this year's federal pay adjustment, however they arrived at very different results. Thursday, the Senate Appropriations Committee endorsed a 2.9 percent civilian federal employee pay adjustment for fiscal year 2010. This compares to a 2 percent pay adjustment passed earlier in the week by the same committee in the House of Representatives. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13301 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13301 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:22:14 CDT In a letter sent Tuesday to House Appropriations Committee Chairman David Obey (D-WI) and Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee Chairman Jose Serrano (D-NY), Congressmen Edolphus Towns (D-MD) and Stephen Lynch (D-MA) urged the observance of the principle of pay parity in their committees' FY 2010 budget appropriations. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13306 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/13306 Fri, 26 Jun 2009 15:26:20 CDT By a vote of 389-22, yesterday the U.S. House of Representatives overwhelming passed H.R. 2647, the 2010 Defense Authorization Act, containing an amendment that could spell the beginning of the end for the National Security Personnel System (NSPS). http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/10168 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/10168 Mon, 15 Jun 2009 17:06:39 CDT This past Friday, the House of Representatives voted 307-97 in favor of the Senate's version of H.R. 1256, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act, which lacked many critical provisions for federal employees. Passed by the chamber last Wednesday and then by the House the following Friday, the final version retained provisions addressing TSP reform, but lacked the additional retirement language included in the original version of the bill. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/10146 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/10146 Wed, 10 Jun 2009 14:11:51 CDT When cowboys and school kids sing "Home, home on the range. . . . Where seldom is heard a discouraging word," they probably aren't thinking about employees of the U.S. Forest Service. But on the nearly 200 million acres of forests and grasslands the service manages, there are plenty of discouraging words to be heard. The grumbling is so bad that the agency's low morale was the focus of a recent congressional hearing. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/10123 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/10123 Fri, 05 Jun 2009 08:32:10 CDT Thursday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 258-154 in favor of H.R. 626, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (FEPPLA). The bipartisan bill, sponsored by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY) and cosponsored by 55 others, extends four weeks of paid leave to federal employees with a newly born, adopted, or fostered child. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/10118 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/10118 Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:52:39 CDT Wednesday, the Office of Management and Budget issued a Statement of Administration Policy in support of H.R. 626, the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act. The bill, introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), would extend four weeks of paid leave to federal employees caring for a newly born, adopted, or fostered child. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/10103 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/10103 Wed, 03 Jun 2009 14:24:45 CDT Last Friday, NFFE Local 2109 members welcomed Congressmen Paul Tonko (D-NY) and Scott Murphy (D-NY) to their facility, the Watervliet Arsenal in Watervliet, New York. Joined by NFFE National President Richard N. Brown, National Vice President Timothy Ostrowski and Assistant Directing Business Representative Bill Fenaughty, Local 2109 leadership engaged the Congressmen on the pressing issues facing arsenal employees. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/9948 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/9948 Fri, 15 May 2009 16:22:35 CDT This week, NFFE-IAM members from across the nation packed into the Hyatt Regency Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. for four days of networking, speeches, and political activism. Throughout the conference, NFFE members heard speeches from key figures in Congress and Labor, all the while lobbying their elected officials on the issues that affect them as federal employees. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/9949 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/9949 Fri, 15 May 2009 16:46:52 CDT The office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense released new details concerning the pending review of the much-maligned National Security Personnel System. In the news release, Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn called on the Defense Business Board, an independent advisory body to the DoD Secretary on management issues, to assemble a task force to review the system. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/9898 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/9898 Mon, 11 May 2009 09:06:14 CDT Today marks the beginning of Lobby Week 2009, as NFFE-IAM representatives from around the country descend on Washington, D.C. for the IAMAW's annual Legislative Conference. In the face of one of the most favorable political climates in years, NFFE members are ready and eager to stand up for their fellow federal employees. With federal employee friendly representatives in power at both ends of Pennsylvania Avenue, 2009 could prove to be one of the most important Lobby Weeks in years. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/9864 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/9864 Fri, 08 May 2009 10:45:07 CDT With Public Service Recognition Week in full swing, the House of Representatives passed H.R.299, a resolution honoring the contributions of millions of public servants nationwide. The bill, introduced by Rep. Stephen Lynch (D-MA), recognizes the often thankless tasks carried out by public employees every day. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/9851 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/9851 Thu, 07 May 2009 14:13:04 CDT Wednesday, the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee passed the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act, H.R. 626/S.354, a bill that will give federal workers a minimum of four weeks paid leave to care for a newly born, adopted, or fostered child. Under current law, expecting parents may take up to 12 weeks of unpaid leave to care for their newborn, forcing them to use sick and annual leave to make up for the lost time. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8970 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8970 Fri, 01 May 2009 11:24:03 CDT This week on Capitol Hill, Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) introduced a bill calling for an across the board suspension of public-private job competitions. The Correction of Longstanding Errors in Agencies Procurements Act (CLEAN UP Act), S. 924, also contains an in-sourcing provision urging agencies to bring contracted work back in-house to public employees. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8993 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8993 Fri, 01 May 2009 15:38:43 CDT Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director John Berry introduced this week his plan to jumpstart agency telework programs, giving tens of thousands of federal employees the opportunity to work from home. Today, only five percent of the 1.9 million workers employed by the federal government telework. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8881 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8881 Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:40:37 CDT Wednesday, recently confirmed Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director John Berry made his first appearance before a Congressional committee as Director. Titled "Public Service in the 21st Century: An Examination of the State of the Federal Workforce," the hearing was focused on determining a new way forward for human resource management in government. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8874 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8874 Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:23:05 CDT Lobby Week 2009, scheduled for May 11th-14th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel on Capitol Hill, promises to be one of the most important lobby weeks in years. With worker-friendly politicians taking over the White House and expanding their margins in both the House and Senate this past November, there are many new opportunities to make federal employees' agenda a priority. For nearly eight years, there has been no greater chance to exact positive change in the federal workforce than right now. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8803 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8803 Thu, 16 Apr 2009 10:26:05 CDT NFFE National President Richard N. Brown submitted testimony to the House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Readiness regarding the future of the controversial National Security Personnel System (NSPS). The hearing was held in the wake of growing criticism of the system from federal employee unions and high-ranking members of Congress. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8777 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8777 Mon, 13 Apr 2009 16:11:19 CDT This past Thursday, NFFE National President Richard N. Brown met with Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn at the Pentagon to discuss the future of the National Security Personnel System. Along with partners in labor, President Brown urged Deputy Secretary Lynn not to stand in the way of a potential repeal of the much maligned personnel system. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8738 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8738 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:41:45 CDT Last week, the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Government Affairs approved the Non-Foreign Area Retirement Equity Assurance Act (Non-Foreign AREA Act), S.507, a bill that will extend locality pay to federal employees located outside of the 48 contiguous states. Under current law, federal employees working in Alaska, Hawaii, and the U.S. Territories receive a yearly COLA payment in lieu of the locality pay received by their mainland counterparts. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8739 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8739 Fri, 10 Apr 2009 15:42:53 CDT The House of Representatives passed HR. 1804, the Federal Retirement Reform Act of 2009, a bill that will give FERS employees credit for unused sick leave upon retiring and automatically enroll new hires in the Thrift Savings Plan. Sponsored by Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, the bill is essentially an amalgamation of numerous retirement policy bills that had been introduced earlier in the 111th Congress. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8724 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8724 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 14:38:21 CDT Before departing for recess, both the House and Senate included language in their Fiscal Year 2010 budget resolutions endorsing pay parity between civilian and military federal employees. The language did not set a specific amount for the pay adjustment, instead asserting the intent of Congress to uphold the tradition of equality. The exact amount of the pay increase will be determined during the appropriations process, which will be underway once Congress reconvenes on April 20th. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8728 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8728 Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:32:50 CDT Late last week, the Senate confirmed John Berry as the next Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Berry brings with him to OPM decades of public service experience. As Legislative Director to Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), Berry was instrumental in the formulation of the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act of 1990, a bill that established locality pay for the federal workforce. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8721 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8721 Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:04:35 CDT Thanks to increased funding for federal agencies and a more labor-friendly environment, the National Federation of Federal Employees is currently facing one of the best organizing climates in years. Recognizing this, NFFE recently formulated and started carrying out a plan to capitalize on this opportunity and increase our membership. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8656 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8656 Fri, 27 Mar 2009 15:38:18 CDT Yesterday, the House of Representatives passed legislation to establish an emergency federal fund to fight increasingly frequent catastrophic wildland fires. The bipartisan Federal Land Assistance, Management, and Enhancement Act (FLAME Act), H.R. 1404, will serve as a separate emergency fund to relieve the growing strain on existing agency budgets. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8646 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8646 Thu, 26 Mar 2009 13:54:28 CDT Yesterday, the House Budget Committee included language in its Fiscal Year 2010 budget resolution establishing pay parity between civilian and military federal employees. Introduced by Representatives Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and John Spratt (D-SC), the language does not request a fixed amount for next year's federal pay adjustment, which will instead be determined through budget proceedings. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8640 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8640 Wed, 25 Mar 2009 15:38:45 CDT Earlier today, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Federal Workforce, Post Office, and the District of Columbia passed the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act of 2009 (FEPPLA), H.R. 626, a bill that would grant federal employees four weeks of paid leave when caring for a newly born or adopted child. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8583 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8583 Tue, 17 Mar 2009 12:42:38 CDT After years of fierce opposition from NFFE and other federal employee unions, the beginning of the end of NSPS may be in sight. In a DoD press release issued earlier this week, Deputy Secretary of Defense William Lynn announced that DoD will delay any further conversions of defense workers into NSPS, pending an extensive review of the much-maligned personnel system. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8576 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8576 Mon, 16 Mar 2009 14:35:09 CDT On March 10, Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Rep. George Miller (D-CA) reintroduced the Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 1409/S. 560), a bill that will restore Americans' right to organize and join a union without being subject to harassment by their employers. The Employee Free Choice Act will strengthen penalties against employers who break the law during union organizing campaigns. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8525 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8525 Wed, 04 Mar 2009 11:44:02 CST "The National Federation of Federal Employees strongly supports the nomination of John Berry as Director of the Office of Personnel Management. His stellar record of public service and employee relations make him an excellent choice for the position. Berry has a wealth of executive leadership experience from his time at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and the National Zoo. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8448 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8448 Fri, 20 Feb 2009 10:24:09 CST This week, President Barack Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, also known as the stimulus bill, a bold action that is intended to stimulate the slumping economy and create millions of jobs for American workers. Tuesday's signing is the culmination of a knock-down, drag-out battle on Capitol Hill to reach a workable compromise on the stimulus package. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8306 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8306 Fri, 06 Feb 2009 12:53:15 CST Last week, Sen. Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced the Federal Employees Paid Parental Leave Act (S. 354), a bill that would amend the 1993 Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) to provide all federal employees with four weeks of paid parental leave when caring for a newly born or adopted child. The same legislation was also introduced in the House by Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY). The House version is bill number H.R. 626. http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8232 http://www.nffe.org/ht/d/ArticleDetails/i/8232 Mon, 02 Feb 2009 14:22:00 CST Professional employees at the U.S. Forest Service's Eastern Region Regional Office, located in Milwaukee, WI, chose NFFE as their exclusive bargaining representative. The non-professional employees working from the office were already represented by NFFE Local 2165 prior to the election process, but the local now represents both the professional and non-professional employees who work in that office and at remote locations.