We’ll Find Out Oct. 15 If There’s a 2016 COLA

Article Title: We’ll Find Out Oct. 15 If There’s a 2016 COLA
Snippet of Article: "...The Bureau of Labor Statistics on Oct. 15 will publish the third number that determines whether retirees get a COLA in 2016. ..."

Source: www.govexec.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

Bernie Sanders Wins According to Google's Data Based Analysis

Google Trends

Article Title: Bernie Sanders Wins According to Google's Data Based Analysis
In spite of and contrary to the non-data backed views and thoughts of the Washington political machine and the media which is bought and paid for by the ultra wealthy who are in great fear of Bernie Sanders becoming the next President of this great nation, Bernie Sanders was the big winner coming out of the Democratic Debate. Google Trends (https://www.google.com/trends/story/US_cu_PviRQ1ABAAD_OM_en) identifies Bernie Sanders being searched far more than any candidate. Bernie Sanders also won according to and on Twitter (http://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2015/10/13/bernie-sanders-clearly-won-the-debate-on-twitter/). Bernies' detractors want you to think this is some anomaly that means little ...and if the wealth and corporate backed media can convince you that Bernie Sanders cannot possibly win, they will win again through media manipulation and faux polls. However, data backed analytics beats manipulated polls and media articles when it comes to the facts. The corporate and political establishment wants you to believe Bernie is not a valid contender in this important election. The wealthy are in fear that this man, a self-proclaimed Democratic Socialist, will rock the boat and tilt wealth in this country toward more equilibrium and balance, fairly shifting wealth to the working people by killing off money pouring into super PAC's by America's top 1% who now controls 90% of the wealth. They attempt to manipulate the process by calling it a capitalist society, instead of identifying the fact that the extreme wealthy are spoon feeding you what they want you to hear while buying off politicians to perform the circus tricks they need to remain in place to retain their corrupt bought and paid for agendas ...agendas that take money from you through outrageous taxes and ripping away programs that take care of the truly needy while at the same time letting America's infrastructure crumble by stealing money from the military budget, robbing veterans of care, closing more Postal Service mail processing facilities and Post Offices, removing your guns so they can control any future uprisings brought on by the continuous robbing of your Social Security, etc. Will we allow them to win again or will we elect a man that will truly return America to the greatest country in the world? Let's make real, positive change instead of allowing only a rare few to control the majority of wealth by stealing from us through a corrupt system, exampled by too big to fail Bank and Wall Street Scams.

Source: Federal Employee News Blog

More Reading on Bernie Sanders and the Debate Results: Bernie Sanders Clearly Won Tuesday's Debate -- On Twitter Reference: http://www.forbes.com/sites/dandiamond/2015/10/13/bernie-sanders-clearly-won-the-debate-on-twitter/

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

FEHB open season begins November 9 and runs through December 14, 2015

Open Season for Federal Health Benefits, Dental and Vision

Open Season, which begins November 9 and runs through December 14, will give Federal employees and retirees the opportunity to review the 2016 rates and benefits of their current plans and those of competing plans. During the Open Season, FEHB enrollees can change their health-care coverage; employees who are not enrolled, but eligible to participate, may elect coverage. Follow this link [CLICK ->]:Open Season for Federal Health Benefits, Dental and Vision Reference Source: www.opm.gov

Justice Department preparing to release 6,000 inmates from federal prisons starting end of this month

Article Title: U.S. to Release 6,000 Inmates From Prisons
Snippet of Article: "... roll back the harsh penalties given to nonviolent drug dealers in the 1980s and ’90s, according to federal law enforcement officials. About a third of the inmates are undocumented immigrants..."

Source: www.nytimes.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

U.S. Congress moves on spending bill as shutdown deadline looms

Article Title: U.S. Congress moves on spending bill as shutdown deadline looms
Snippet of Article: "...Faced with a veto threat from Obama and mixed support among Republicans for a strategy that would likely lead to a shutdown, Boehner said on Sunday the House would pass a funding bill without the Planned Parenthood provisions..."

Source: www.msn.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

Will You Be Forced To Pay Into Medicare? If Carper Postal Bill Passes You...

Article Title: Will You Be Forced To Pay Into Medicare?
Snippet of Article: "...Congress is considering a bill that would require postal retirees to enroll in Medicare Parts B and D or lose their Federal health insurance. Is this the future for all Federal retirees?..."

Source: www.fedsmith.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

Bill Introduced To Protect Government Workers If A Shutdown Occurs

Article Title: Bill Introduced To Protect Government Workers If A Shutdown Occurs
Snippet of Article: "...would pay federal employees retroactively in the event of a shutdown, whenever government funding is restored. "In the past, we've always paid the federal workers who are unable to go to work because of the shutdown through no fault of their own. We've always paid them back retroactively. This legislation will let them know up front that they will be made whole," says Cardin..."

Source: www.wfmd.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

When the Fed raises rates, here's what happens

Article Title: When the Fed raises rates, here's what happens
Snippet of Article: "... A rate hike will come and the bull market will stumble, bond yields will climb and the economy will slip into a recession. This we know. ..."

Source: www.cnbc.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

The Donald Trump Act

Article Title: House Just Passed “Donald Trump Act” – Sends Big Message to Obama!
Snippet of Article: "...the U.S. House of Representatives just issued a major defeat to Obama! Known as the “Donald Trump Act,” House Resolution 3099 takes direct aim at cities which don’t enforce federal laws about sanctuary cities. The House passed it by an overwhelming 241-197 vote. This is a big deal!..."

Source: www.thepoliticalinsider.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, Donald Trump Act[/tag]

Walker to call for ending federal employee unions, abolishing NLRB

Article Title: Walker returns to organized labor fight in effort to boost White House run
Snippet of Article: "...Walker’s four-part “Power to the People” plan calls for eliminating federal employee unions and the National Labor Relations Board..."

Source: www.foxnews.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

IRS to Improve Tax Collection from Federal Employees

Article Title: IRS to Improve Tax Collection from Federal Employees
Snippet of Article: "...“As you noted in your report, federal employees and retirees have fewer instances of tax delinquency than the general population of taxpayers,” wrote Karen Schiller, commissioner of the IRS’s Small Business/Self-Employed Division. “You reported that, on average, from FY 2010-2014, 3.1 percent of federal employees and retirees were delinquent on taxes as compared to 8.4 percent of the general population of taxpayers..."

Source: www.accountingtoday.com
[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

Scott Walker Has a Plan to Cripple Federal Employee Unions

Article Title: Scott Walker Has a Plan to Cripple Federal Employee Unions
Snippet of Article: "...One such labor leader, American Federation of Government Employees President J. David Cox, derided the proposal, noting union dues automatically withdrawn from federal paychecks do not go to supporting federal candidates. Those contributions instead come from optional donations from union members to the group..."

Source: www.govexec.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, anti-working class, Scott Walker, anti-union, anti-union legislation, [/tag]

Federal Employees salary search and merit award search, by name, agency or area

Example

Article Title: Federal Employees salary search and merit award search, by name, agency or area
Snippet of Article: "...Enter a name, or select an agency, job title or location to begin your search. Not all fields need to be filled out. The results will show the adjusted base salary and any merit award from federal fiscal year 2014. On the results page, you may click on a column heading to sort the results. Employees involved in security work, the FBI, CIA, Defense Department, nuclear materials, IRS, and jobs essential to national security are excluded. The list contains most executive branch employees but does not cover the White House, Congress, the Postal Service, and independent agencies and commissions. Search 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2014 employees. Search U.S. Postal Service Employees..."

Source: Asbury Park Press in New Jersey (app.com)
[tag] Federal Employee Salary Search, Postal Employee Salary Search, [/tag]

USPS MOBILE® App

USPS MOBILE®

Article Title: USPS MOBILE® App
Snippet of Article: "...Access popular USPS.com® tools on the go with USPS Mobile® app. Find a Post Office™ or an Approved Postal Provider®, look up a ZIP Code™, calculate shipping prices (limitations apply), schedule pickups, scan labels, hold your mail, and use the USPS Tracking™ tool anywhere you go. Find USPS® Locations when you need to get to a Post Office™, Self-Service Kiosk (APC®) or collection box with an easy-to-filter locator. The USPS Mobile app uses..."

Source: play.google.com
[tag] USPS Mobile App, USPS MOBILE®, [/tag]

Federal workers launch White House petition for a ‘meaningful pay raise’ above 1.3 percent Obama is giving

Article Title: Federal workers launch White House petition for a ‘meaningful pay raise’ above 1.3 percent Obama is giving
Snippet of Article: "...Federal workers are taking their frustration with the 1.3 percent pay raise President Obama announced he’s giving them in January straight to the boss. They’re starting to petition the White House for more money. “Give hard-working federal employees a meaningful pay raise..."

Source: www.washingtonpost.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

2016 Federal Pay Raise

Article Title: President Directs 1% Federal Pay Raise for 2016
Snippet of Article: "...President Obama issued an Executive Order on August 28, 2015 approving alternative January 2016 across-the-board and locality pay adjustments. The full text of his executive order is below the text of this article. - See more at: http://www.fedsmith.com/2015/08/28/president-directs-1-federal-pay-raise-for-2016/#sthash.iUETMFNS.dpuf..."

Source: www.fedsmith.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

Get a cup of coffee now to lower dementia risk

Article Title: Study: Coffee intake affects dementia risk
Snippet of Article: "...Moderate coffee drinking may be protective "against cognitive decline and dementia," researchers say..."

Source: www.newsday.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

Historic 9/11 photos released by National Archives

National Archives

Article Title: Historic 9/11 photos released by National Archives
Snippet of Article: "...President Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and cabinet members are seen reacting to the attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people on that fateful day. CLICK HERE to view entire album of the 3560 photos released by the National Archives. ..."

Source: abc7chicago.com
[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

Ask if your city is getting the federal firefighting grants it is entitled to

Article Title: City gets federal grant to hire firefighters
Snippet of Article: "...The Staffing for Adequate Fire and Emergency Response (SAFER) grant was announced Tuesday by U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen. The grant is administered through the Department of Homeland Security..."

Source: www.berlindailysun.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

Bernie Sanders is a champion of Federal and Postal Workers

Article Title: Labor Leaders Meet with Presidential Candidate Sen. Bernie Sanders
Snippet of Article: "...“And he has been a forceful advocate for working people for decades. He’s not in the pocket of big corporations. We thought it was important to hear his ideas about the 2016 campaign – especially how he plans to take on the big-money interests that are strangling our political system and our economy..."

Source: www.apwu.org

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

Looking for official government surplus items?

Article Title: Looking for official government surplus items?
The service provider for various government agencies authorized to sell government surplus and confiscated items via the Internet is GovDeals.

Government Liquidation (GL), a Liquidity Services, Inc. marketplace is the exclusive contractor of the DLA Disposition Services for the sale of surplus and scrap assets of the United States Department of Defense (DOD).

Source: federalemployeenews.blogspot.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, government surplus, military surplus, DOD surplus, [/tag]

Recording Conversations with Federal Employees, Jenkins Reintroduces Legislation Known as the Citizen Empowerment Act (H.R. 2856)

Article Title: Jenkins Reintroduces Legislation to Allow Recording Conversations with Federal Employees
Snippet of Article: "...Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) has reintroduced legislation that would allow Americans to record conversations with federal employees from most executive branch agencies, both in person and over the phone...."

Source: www.fedsmith.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, Citizen Empowerment Act (H.R. 2856), [/tag]

OPM vows customer service improvements for breach-affected feds

Article Title: OPM vows customer service improvements for breach-affected feds
Snippet of Article: "...OPM’s decision to hire Winvale and its subcontractor CSID came under scrutiny by lawmakers and procurement experts after questions arose about the contract award process. Now those concerns are getting louder as CSID struggles to keep up with the demand. Sen. Mark Warner (D-Va.), the American Federation of Government Employees and the National Treasury Employees Union sent letters ..."

Source: federalnewsradio.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, Winvale, CSID Identity Protection, American Federation of Government Employees, National Treasury Employees Union, OPM Data Breach, [/tag]

Federal Workers Frustrated With CSID Identity Protection (with patience: works as advertised)

Article Title: Federal Workers Frustrated With CSID Identity Protection

Federal Employee News is aware of the multitude of complaints by federal workers regarding the free identity protection service from a company identified as CSID under contract with OPM after a major cyber-breach of employee data. In an effort to verify the authenticity of complaints, the Federal Employee News attempted to enroll in the service after receiving their notification letter from CSID and OPM on June 24, 2015. After reading the letter in its entirety, we followed the enrollment procedure as prescribed. We were able to get to the first step in the process which took us to the special CSID page for the OPM contracted service. This link informs employees to click on a link identified as "Affected Individuals ENROLL NOW" ...we clicked the link. Trouble already! Dang. The site said, "If you are an affected individual who has received an email or letter notification and a PIN code, begin the enrollment process now by clicking ‘Enroll Now’ below. You will then be asked to submit the PIN code that was provided to you." Clicking the link gave us an error message saying something about a 'Gateway' issue. We thought maybe it was because we were using a Firefox browser, so we attempted the same with Internet Explorer and got the same result. We thought that was the end of the trail for us. However, while writing this article and making a couple of screen captures, we attempted the process again. Success! Everything worked just fine and we enrolled very easily as prescribed. We are guessing our first attempts were thwarted by overloaded servers or possibly system maintenance. Just a guess on our part. So if you have an issue when you attempt to enroll, we suggest you go back and try again at different times and all should be fine. We can understand the frustration at failed attempts, but when you have millions of people attempting to enroll in a short span of time, this can cause issues at times. Good luck and happy surfing.
Source: Federal Employee News [tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, CSID Identity Protection [/tag]

Do unions do anything for today's worker?

Article Title: Do unions do anything for today's worker?
Snippet of Article: "...some insight into what unions do. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2014 Data) states, Median weekly earnings of nonunion workers ($763) were 79 percent of earnings for workers who were union members ($970). Even though wages have stagnated amongst unionized workers, as well as non-unionized workers, and the lowly wages of America's real workers is a pittance..."

Source: npmhu317.blogspot.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, Do unions do anything for today's worker?[/tag]

Man robs Barrington bank wearing US Postal Service jacket

Article Title: Man robs Barrington bank wearing US Postal Service jacket
Snippet of Article: "...He was wearing what appeared to be a light grey U.S. Postal Service jacket with a patch on the left shoulder, a light-colored hat, aviator sunglasses, pants with a stripe, and a beige neck band..."

Source: wpri.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

New bill aims to deter stealing from federal retirees: The Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act of 2015

Article Title: New bill aims to deter stealing from federal retirees
Snippet of Article: "...Federal retirees sometimes require a financial representative to help manage their saved funds and pensions – as well as minors and those with mental disabilities who receive benefits – but they don't have the protections they need to ensure their payments are handled properly, according to the senators..."

Source: www.federaltimes.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, The Representative Payee Fraud Prevention Act of 2015 [/tag]

OPM Sends Data Breach Notifications to Millions of Employees

Article Title: OPM Sends Data Breach Notifications to Millions of Employees
Snippet of Article: "...Millions of federal workers are starting to receive notices from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management that their identity may be compromised following the recent data breach. ..."

Source: washington.cbslocal.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

USPS' financial future much brighter than reported

Article Title: Letter to the editor: USPS' financial future much brighter than reported
Snippet of Article: "... Mail fell following the worst recession in 80 years, dropping 10 percent in 2009 alone. But as the economy gradually improves, mail revenue has stabilized. Meanwhile, with online shopping growing because of the Internet, package revenue is skyrocketing, auguring well for the future. Year-to-date, package revenue's up 11.2 percent over last year and mail revenue is up slightly. As a result, the Postal Service reported $1.4 billion in operating profits in fiscal year 2014, a figure already surpassed in 2015's first half with $1.413 billion. Postal red ink stems not from the mail but from congressional politics. In 2006, a lame-duck Congress mandated that the Postal Service pre-fund retiree health benefits. No other agency or company has to pre-fund for even one year; the Postal Service must pre-fund 75 years into the future and pay for it all over a decade. That $5.6 billion annual charge is the red ink. Unnecessarily degrading now-profitable postal networks would hurt Americans and their businesses, weaken the Postal Service's bottom line by driving mail away - and ignore the cause of the red ink. ..."

Source: www.federalnewsradio.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, [/tag]

Cyber attack hits millions of U.S. federal workers, probe focuses on China

Article Title: Cyber attack hits millions of U.S. federal workers, probe focuses on China
Snippet of Article: "...He said they may have widened their net to gather personally identifiable information for more elaborate, finely-tuned attacks in the future. "This is usually done by criminals, but based on their behavior, we believe these are espionage actors," said Hultquist..."

Source: www.reuters.com

[tag] Federal Employee News, Federal Civil Service, Cyber Attacks, [/tag]