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Daniel Hirsch, state vice president of the American Foreign Service Association, discusses the issues affecting government employees who are working overseas. February 22, 2013
Jenny Mattingley hosts a rountable discussion on government training and leadership development. February 22, 2013
Budget uncertainty at the General Services Administration, other agencies and among vendors is the main cause behind the decision to call off the annual training conference, GSA officials said.
Do you remember the good old days? For many federal workers that would be 2010 and 2011 when they were worried about threats to their retirement and health insurance benefits that eventually fizzled and died. Well, they may be coming back but this time things could be very different, Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
The Environmental Protection Agency is planning at least three agencywide mandatory furlough days through the end of the fiscal year if sequestration goes into effect, according to union officials who say they were briefed on agency plans. EPA also will implement employee furloughs in two phases, according to John J. O'Grady, the president of AFGE Local 704, which covers the Chicago region.
The agency will publish a final rule Friday that will remove the need for people with disabilities to have a "certification of job readiness."
The National Treasury Employees Union was informed by Customs and Border Protection that agency-wide furlough notices of up to 14 days will be issued in mid-March as a result of sequestration. CBP told NTEU that it will have to make $754 million in cuts from March 1 through Sept. 30, the end of the current fiscal year.
A year into its 16-point strategic plan, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is making solid progress against most of its milestones. The strategy includes using technology to improve its services and creating a federal sector plan to better address specific issues.
The Pentagon says furloughs for nearly all of its 780,000 civilian employees would begin in April if sequestration goes into effect. DoD would grant limited exceptions for civilians in combat zones or those who are critical to preserving life and safety. Political appointees would also be exempt. The Pentagon also released a list of states where furloughs would have the most effect.
What if we get sequestered and nothing happens? At least not right away? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey wants to know what if the government, instead of furloughing all FBI agents, TSA screeners, and air traffic controllers on the same day finds a way to muddle through -- at least for awhile.
This week on AFGE's "Inside Government" Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., defends Social Security's solvency and long-term viability. AFGE Air Force Materiel Command Council 214 President Troy Tingey, Council of Prison Locals Western Region Vice President Michael Meserve and William Beaumont Army Medical Center Local 2516 President Paul Ferris also address workplace issues and legislative priorities for 2013.
If Uncle Sam tried to produce his version of "Fifty Shades of Grey," what would it be like? Would it be an easy and educational read? Senior Correspondent Mike Causey has previewed it and has some suggestions you might want to check out.
The next time Congress is in D.C. for an extended period of time, somebody should suggest that the House and the Senate investigate how much time and money has been lost preparing for a partial government shutdown almost everybody says would be a mistake. Senior Correspondent Mike Causey says.
Talk of federal-employee furloughs has intensified as the clock winds down to March 1 -- the date automatic, across-the-board spending cuts are set to kick in. But even if agencies are forced to go the furlough route, they will have to ensure the workforce reductions are implemented fairly or face a series of potential pitfalls, said John Mahoney, chairman of Tully Rinckey's labor and employment practice group, in an interview on the Federal Drive with Tom Temin and Emily Kopp.