Decline in Per Diem Travel Rates in Many Areas in FY 2011
While some rates are going up, federal travelers will have less money to spend in many areas while on government travel in fiscal year 2011.
Current Events
Current news and events impacting the federal workforce, both current federal employees and federal retirees.
Confusion About TSA Election: No Surprise
The Author seeks to clarify for readers what is going on with various union petitions to represent TSA’s workforce or some part of it. FLRA’s regional director’s decision on the currently filed petitions doesn’t address future petitions, nor should it. But some seem to think it’s a two union fight when maybe it’s not.
Loyalty and Contempt in the Shadow of Uncle Sam
Disloyalty can be toxic. There is a sizable contingent of Uncle Sam’s workforce that dislike their bosses, their management in general, entire agencies, and even the Federal government itself. It seems to be growing larger and more vocal all the time.
Was TSA Head’s Meeting with AFGE President an Unfair Labor Practice? You Decide.
AFGE issued a press release stating that “TSA Administrator John Pistole met today with AFGE John Gage to discuss collective bargaining and other workplace issues.” Does that meeting constitute an unfair labor practice?
These Mistakes Can Damage Your Reputation in an Instant
If drafting a formal letter on agency stationery is like writing calligraphy, and composing an email is the equivalent of writing with crayon, then instant messaging is like dipping your hands in spaghetti sauce and smearing your message all over the wall.
Cows, People and Flying
Cows are inconsiderate animals who care little or not at all for people or other cows. They crowd together in a barnyard or pasture and have their own rules of behavior. It’s all about them and meeting their immediate needs. They are also like some people in crowded, frustrating situations.
“Public Service Award” Leads to Federal Lawsuit Against Federal Employee
A federal employee received a check for $383,600 as a public service award based on his work to expose and stop oil companies’ underpayment of royalties. This led to a suit by the government charging the employee with supplementing his salary in violation of law.
Taxes and the Deficit–How They May Pertain to You as a Federal Employee
Over the past ten years the federal debt has mushroomed from $5 trillion to well over $13 trillion, and is forecasted to reach $20 trillion in this decade. But wait, it gets worse…private debt (consumer, financial, corporate) has swelled to $42 trillion!
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Is Optimistic About Future of Medicare
The administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services says that the financial outlook for Medicare is improving, largely because of slowing the rate of growth in payments to most categories of medical providers.
AFGE Says FLRA Will Review Its Regional Decision on Union Organizing at the Transportation Security Administration: Is Anyone Surprised?
The American Federation of Government Employees announced that the FLRA would review its Regional Director’s decision to deny an election based on a precedent set by a prior administration. The Author’s surprise may be a little facetious in that the current FLRA Chairman dissented in the old case.
