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READ THE CURRENT ISSUE OF THE FEDERAL MANAGER MAGAZINE!
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FMA Virtual Town Hall: Government Affairs Update
Tuesday, August 18, 2020
Zoom Virtual Meeting
8:00 PM Eastern Time
Please check emails sent to FMA members for instructions
on how to join the Town Hall through Zoom!
- A Fair Pay Raise for Feds in 2021 - August 5, 2020
- This article originally ran in the August 4, 2020, issue of FEDManager.com.One of FMA’s primary objectives each year is to provide a fair pay raise for federal employees that reflects their selfless contributions to their fellow Americans. In February, before the disruptions of Covid-19 set in, President Trump proposed a 1 percent pay raise for federal employees in 2021. While better than a pay freeze, a 1 percent raise fails to keep up with inflation and is inadequate. Regrettably, Congress has thus far chosen to remain silent on the pay raise issue in the appropriations process, effectively acceding to the president’s proposal. Most recently, on Thursday, July 30, the House of Representatives approved a major spending package without language to provide a reasonable pay raise for federal employees in 2021.
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- Democratic Senators Introduce Bill to Include Feds in Coronavirus Response Decisions - July 31, 2020
- A task force of administration and union officials would make recommendations for how agencies should protect workers during the pandemic.Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveLegislation introduced in the Senate would assign seat on the Coronavirus Rapid Response Federal Labor-Management Task Force to the Federal Managers Association.A group of six Democratic senators on Wednesday introduced legislation to ensure federal employees have input into how agencies respond to the coronavirus pandemic.
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- FMA Recognizes National Whistleblower Appreciation Day - July 30, 2020
- Today, July 30, 2020, has been designated National Whistleblower Appreciation Day. The U.S. Senate adopted a resolution (S. Res. 634) sponsored by Sen. Chuck Grassley and cosponsored by 18 bipartisan colleagues. The resolution aims to encourage federal agencies to acknowledge employees who call attention to fraud, waste, abuse, and violations of laws and regulations, and to remind employees of their rights as whistleblowers.In a letter to United States Marshals Service (USMS) Director Donald Washington, FMA's USMS Chapter 373, led by Chapter President Dave Barnes and Vice-President for Law Enforcement Operations Jason Wojdylo, continue to recognize the bravery and contributions of whistleblowers. On this National Whistleblower Appreciation Day in 2020, FMA is proud to stand with Chapter 373 in its effort to make progress and increase awareness of whistleblower rights at USMS and across the federal workforce, and we are grateful for Senator Grassley's leadership in Congress on this issue.
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- FMA-Backed Amendment Included in House-Passed NDAA - July 22, 2020
- On Tuesday, July 21 the House of Representatives passed the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 (H.R. 6395) by a vote of 295-125. This vital bill, passed for the 60th consecutive year, specifies the annual budget and expenditures of the Department of Defense (DOD).During consideration on the floor, the House added an FMA-supported amendment offered by Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) that would allow federal employees whose work has been impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic to carry over use-it-or-lose-it annual leave they would otherwise be required to forfeit at the end of the year. As amended, the House-passed NDAA would declare Covid-19 as an "exigency of public business" for the purposes of restoring annual leave. Earlier this year, Rep. Wexton introduced similar stand-alone legislation, the Federal Frontline Worker Leave Protection Act (H.R. 6733), which FMA National President Craig Carter endorsed in a letter to all Members of Congress.
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- The ‘optics’ may cost feds again this year - July 20, 2020
- Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Craig Carter is quoted in this article, urging for the traditional pay parity for the federal workforce with the uniformed military. Carter notes “The civilian workforce has not wavered in the face of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and deserves to be recognized and compensated fairly.” FMA will continue to actively push for a 3 percent raise for feds in 2021.By Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News NetworkWhat are the ”optics” of a big federal pay raise or a few hundred recognition awards during a once-in-a-lifetime pandemic?Apparently, not great.
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- How Social Security’s Windfall Elimination Provision Affects Some Federal Retirees - June 11, 2020
- FMA has long worked to eliminate both the Government Pension Offset (GPO) and the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP). We have endorsed the Social Security Fairness Act of 2019 (H.R. 141), legislation that would completely repeal both unfair policies. We also support several different legislative efforts to mitigate them, including the Public Servants Protection and Fairness Act (H.R. 4540) and the Equal Treatment of Public Servants Act (H.R. 3934 / S. 3401). This article (below) illustrates the unfairness of the WEP and how it negatively impacts workers. FMA will continue to fight for fairness on this issue.My Federal RetirementBy Edward A. Zurndorfer, Certified Financial PlannerMost working individuals in the U.S. are covered by Social Security and pay into the Social Security system by having the Federal Insurance Contribution Act (FICA) tax deducted from their paychecks.
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- Message from FMA President: Facing Challenging Times - June 3, 2020
- Dear FMA Member:Our country is facing many challenges at this time, and I want to commend America's federal managers and supervisors for staying focused on the vital work of serving our country's citizens.
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- Federal Frontline Workers’ Leave Flexibility is Vital to Government Operations - June 2, 2020
- This article originally ran in the June 2, 2020, issue of FEDManager.com.Last month we made a point to touch on some of the uplifting stories that have emerged as federal managers work to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This month, we want to take a look at some of the efforts we are working on to protect managers and all federal employees.FMA strongly supports and endorses the Federal Frontline Worker Leave Protection Act (H.R. 6733), introduced by Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA). This legislation is aimed at protecting annual leave benefits for frontline and essential workers, who cannot take time off due to the pandemic.
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- Federal Managers Answer the Call of Public Service in that Hour of Our Nation’s Need - May 5, 2020
- This article was published in the May 5, 2020, issue of FEDManager.comLast week, Government Executive reported more than 10,000 federal employees have contracted Covid-19. This news came as overall confirmed positive cases in the United States passed one million. FMA members are doing their part to help stop the spread, while finding and creating ways to accomplish their missions and provide the vital services upon which the American people rely. In the midst of the early stages of a raging pandemic, we wanted to share just some of their stories that have inspired us, and that represent the great work that resilient federal managers are doing in this time of uncertainty and crisis.
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- FMA AND COALITION PARTNERS SEND LETTER TO CONGRESS ON COVID-19 ISSUES - April 15, 2020
- On Tuesday, April 14, the Federal Managers Association (FMA) and 27 other organizations within the Federal-Postal Coalition sent a letter to all Members of Congress to highlight challenges facing the federal and postal community related to the COVID-19 pandemic and urge congressional support on those issues.
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- FMA APPLAUDS HOUSE VOTE ON FY20 APPROPRIATIONS - December 18, 2019
- On Tuesday, December 17, 2019, the House of Representatives approved two spending packages that would fund the federal workforce for the remainder of Fiscal Year 2020. The funding package includes a 3.1 percent average for federal employees, comprised of a 2.6 percent across-the-board salary increase and a 0.5 percent average boost to locality pay. FMA is pleased with this development, which the association worked for throughout 2019.FMA supports both the pay raise and the spending deal. We urge the Senate to approve the measures, and President Trump to sign the bills into law, prior to the expiration of the current continuing resolution.
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- FMA, OTHER MANAGER GROUPS SUPPORT PICK FOR OPM - May 26, 2017
Federal Managers Groups Largely Support Trump OPM Pick
By Erich Wagner, Government Executive
The Trump administration’s nomination of George Nesterczuk to serve as director of the Office of Personnel Management is already making waves among groups that represent federal workers.
While groups representing managers voiced varying levels of support for the announcement Wednesday, a union official was warier of the choice.
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- FMA APPLAUDS SENATE INTRODUCTION OF FEDERAL LABOR-MANAGEMENT COVID PARTNERSHIP ACT - July 31, 2020
- Federal Managers Association honored to be recommended to advise task force.Alexandria, VA – On Tuesday, July 28, the Federal Labor-Management Covid Partnership Act (S. 4347) was introduced in the Senate to create a task force of administration leaders, managers, and union officials, with FMA representing workforce managers. The task force would review agencies’ policies related to the Covid-19 pandemic and make recommendations. As lead sponsor Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) noted, “This bill is about protecting our federal workers during the Covid pandemic.”
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- FMA Urges Pay Parity for Federal Workforce - July 14, 2020
- Alexandria, VA – The House Appropriations Committee is scheduled to mark up the Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Services and General Government Appropriations bill tomorrow, July 15. As reported out of the subcommittee last week, the bill stays silent on a pay raise for federal employees, which would accede to President Trump’s 1.0 percent raise in his budget request. Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Craig Carter made the following comments on the status of a pay raise for federal employees:
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- FMA DISCOURAGED BY OPM DIRECTOR’S RESIGNATION - March 18, 2020
- Alexandria, VA – On Tuesday, March 17, Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Director Dale Cabaniss submitted her resignation. She was confirmed to the post on September 11, 2019. Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Renee Johnson made the following comments.“I am discouraged to learn of Director Cabaniss’ resignation as OPM Director. FMA enjoyed a positive working relationship with her and her team and saw eye to eye on many, if not most, issues."
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- OPM INTERIM RULE: SCHEDULING OF ANNUAL LEAVE BY EMPLOYEES DETERMINED NECESSARY TO RESPOND TO CERTAIN NATIONAL EMERGENCIES AUGUST 10, 2020
- OPM MEMO: PAID PARENTAL LEAVE FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES INTERIM REGULATIONS AUGUST 7, 2020
- OPM GUIDANCE ON ADDITIONAL PAID SICK LEAVE FOR FEDS DURING THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC APRIL 23, 2020
- FEEA PROVIDES CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES FOR FEDS - INCLUDING MASKS!
- FMA Washington Report: August 10, 2020
- This report communicates what FMA’s professional staff is doing on behalf of FMA members in Washington, D.C., and provides an update on issues affecting federal managers. Click here to view the August 10, 2020, edition of FMA's Washington Report. In this issue, we provide updates on the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, FY21 appropriations, legislation that would include FMA on a Covid-19 task force, recognize National Whistleblower Appreciation Day, and discuss other issues impacting FMA members. As always, we encourage you to visit www.fedmanagers.org on a regular basis for information on these and other matters.
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- OPM Outlines Process for Restoring Leave After COVID - August 11, 2020
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveThe Office of Personnel Management last week issued an interim rule that would allow some federal employees to carry more than 30 days of annual leave into 2021, provided they were unable to schedule that leave due to their work responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
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- What feds need to know about the upcoming paid parental leave program - August 10, 2020
- By Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News NetworkThe Office of Personnel Management has released more details about the new, highly-anticipated paid parental leave program, which will go into effect in less than three months.OPM’s interim final rule, which is scheduled for publication Monday, is significant in that it gives federal agencies more instruction on how they should implement new paid parental leave benefits, and it offers employees more detail on how they can take advantage of the new program.
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- New Bills Aim to Protect Federal Employee Whistleblowers - August 6, 2020
- By Ian Smith, FedSmithLegislation has been introduced in the House that is designed to strengthen whistleblower protections afforded to federal employees.
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- OPM Is Reorganizing Employees to Get Around Ban on GSA Merger, Union Claims - August 5, 2020
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveA union representing employees at the Office of Personnel Management is accusing the agency of improperly reorganizing workers without bargaining over the change and potentially violating a ban on merging OPM with the General Services Administration.
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- Senators Continue Push for More Telework - August 4, 2020
- By Ian Smith, FedSmithA group of Senators are making a plea to keep federal employees who can do so teleworking for as long as possible.The lawmakers said in a recent letter to Senate leaders that federal employees are better protected from the coronavirus by not going back to work in the office and that stopping telework threatens to “erase the progress made against the coronavirus and increase community spread.”
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- Will feds receive hazard pay during COVID-19? - July 30, 2020
- By Jessie Bur, Federal TimesPlans to grant hazard or premium pay to federal employees that must work in positions that could expose them to the COVID-19 pandemic are in the works from multiple angles, but none are guaranteed, leaving the possibility of such pay, and whether it will be retroactively enacted, up in the air.
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- TSP Officials Provide Update on CARES Act, New Lifecycle Funds - July 28, 2020
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveOfficials at the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program on Monday touted the successful addition of several new lifecycle funds to the program's offerings and provided an update on how federal employees and retirees are taking advantage of new flexibilities amid the coronavirus pandemic.
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- About 4,000 federal employees say they contracted the coronavirus at work — and 60 have died - July 27, 2020
- By Eric Yoder, The Washington PostAbout 4,000 federal employees are seeking disability compensation on grounds that they contracted the novel coronavirus at work, while survivors of 60 deceased employees are seeking death benefits for the same reason.
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- Hatch Act Leads to 120-Day Suspension - July 22, 2020
- By Ralph R. Smith, FedsmithIt’s that time again: National elections are coming in November. For the federal workforce, this means that the number of employees found in violation of the Hatch Act will go up.
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- Trump taps HUD appointee to be new OPM director - July 20, 2020
- By Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News NetworkThe Trump administration will tap a fourth person to lead the Office of Personnel Management in a little more than three years.President Donald Trump on Monday announced his plans to nominate John Gibbs, a political appointee at the Department of Housing and Urban Development, to be the new permanent OPM director.
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- Federal Employees May Wear or Display Black Lives Matter Paraphernalia at Work - July 17, 2020
- By Courtney Bublé, Government ExecutiveFederal employees are permitted to wear or display Black Lives Matter paraphernalia in the workplace, as it is not an “inherently partisan” movement, according to the independent agency that oversees the Hatch Act prohibiting civil servants from participating in political activity while on the job.
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- More Than 39,000 Federal Employees Have Tested Positive for COVID-19 - July 20, 2020
- Eric Katz, Government ExecutiveAs novel coronavirus cases continue to climb across the United States and reach record daily highs, the number of federal workers who have tested positive for COVID-19 has also increased dramatically.
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- Trump to Sign Executive Order to Overhaul the Federal Hiring Process - June 26, 2020
- By Eric Katz, Government ExecutivePresident Trump on Friday will sign an executive order to overhaul requirements federal agencies use when evaluating job candidates, seeking to downplay the importance of college degrees.
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- More than 60% of Recent Federal Employee Hires Left Within Two Years - June 15, 2020
- Government should better track retention data to determine why employees, particularly disabled employees, leave at such a high rate, watchdog finds.Eric Katz, Government ExecutiveAbout 60% of federal employees hired in recent years left their jobs within two years, according to a new report that focused on hiring and retention of individuals with disabilities.
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- Federal Retirement Applications, Processing Both Down in October - November 12, 2019
- By Erich Wagner, Government Executive,The Office of Personnel Management announced last week that the backlog of pending federal retirement claims nearly reached 18,000 last month. Although the number of requests has decreased in recent months, so too has the pace by which the federal government’s HR agency has processed them.According to agency statistics, only 7,044 federal employees filed for retirement in October. That represents about 400 fewer claims than OPM received in September, and a decrease of nearly 2,000 requests compared with the 9,012 that were filed in October 2018.
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- BOTH STAFF CUTS AND BUDGET INCREASES FOR FY 2019 - July 13, 2017
Staff Cuts and Budget Increases Are Both on Tap for 2019
By Eric Katz, Government Executive
The Trump administration has provided federal agencies with the latitude to request up to a 5 percent funding boost in fiscal 2019, saying the White House may accommodate a “limited number” of programmatic increases in its final blueprint.
Generally, Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney said in a memorandum to department and agency heads, agencies should keep their 2019 spending requests in line with what the White House spelled out in the fiscal 2018 budget submission. They should also, however, “identify additional investments in effective programs that further support their mission and fill a clear federal role.”
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- Agencies Could Rehire, Promote Former Employees With New OPM Regulatory Fix - December 24, 2019
- By Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News NetworkThe Office of Personnel Management wants to help agencies rehire former employees who have left government — and offer a non-competitive promotion to a higher grade level to sweeten the deal.In a proposed rule, which is scheduled for publication later this week, OPM will recommend new regulations that will allow agencies to non-competitively reappoint former employees to other positions at a higher grade level than when they left government.
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- How The Government Wants Agencies To Regulate AI - January 14, 2020
- By Andrew Eversden, Federal TimesThe Office of Management and Budget released a draft memorandum Jan. 13 providing guidance to agencies on how they should approach regulation of industry’s artificial intelligence applications.The guidance emphasizes that agencies should consider how any regulatory action would potentially hinder expansion of AI use. The draft memo “calls on agencies, when considering regulations or policies related to AI applications, to promote advancements in technology and innovation."
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- A Fair Pay Raise for Feds in 2021 - August 5, 2020
- This article originally ran in the August 4, 2020, issue of FEDManager.com.One of FMA’s primary objectives each year is to provide a fair pay raise for federal employees that reflects their selfless contributions to their fellow Americans. In February, before the disruptions of Covid-19 set in, President Trump proposed a 1 percent pay raise for federal employees in 2021. While better than a pay freeze, a 1 percent raise fails to keep up with inflation and is inadequate. Regrettably, Congress has thus far chosen to remain silent on the pay raise issue in the appropriations process, effectively acceding to the president’s proposal. Most recently, on Thursday, July 30, the House of Representatives approved a major spending package without language to provide a reasonable pay raise for federal employees in 2021.
- Read More
- Federal Frontline Workers’ Leave Flexibility is Vital to Government Operations - June 2, 2020
- This article originally ran in the June 2, 2020, issue of FEDManager.com.Last month we made a point to touch on some of the uplifting stories that have emerged as federal managers work to overcome the COVID-19 pandemic crisis. This month, we want to take a look at some of the efforts we are working on to protect managers and all federal employees.FMA strongly supports and endorses the Federal Frontline Worker Leave Protection Act (H.R. 6733), introduced by Representative Jennifer Wexton (D-VA). This legislation is aimed at protecting annual leave benefits for frontline and essential workers, who cannot take time off due to the pandemic.
- Read More
- Federal Managers Answer the Call of Public Service in that Hour of Our Nation’s Need - May 5, 2020
- This article was published in the May 5, 2020, issue of FEDManager.comLast week, Government Executive reported more than 10,000 federal employees have contracted Covid-19. This news came as overall confirmed positive cases in the United States passed one million. FMA members are doing their part to help stop the spread, while finding and creating ways to accomplish their missions and provide the vital services upon which the American people rely. In the midst of the early stages of a raging pandemic, we wanted to share just some of their stories that have inspired us, and that represent the great work that resilient federal managers are doing in this time of uncertainty and crisis.
- Read More
- Infrastructure Investments and Modernization Needed at Federal Installations - February 5, 2020
- Hear It from FMA, FedManager.comOn Wednesday, January 29, Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other top legislators in the House unveiled a $760 billion infrastructure package. They appealed to President Trump, who campaigned on a $1 trillion infrastructure plan, to join them in moving this funding forward. As recently as May 2019, the President was expected to propose a $2 trillion infrastructure package, but he urged Congress to first pass the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade deal. He signed that deal into place on January 29, the same day House Democrats offered their infrastructure proposal.
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- Viewpoint: Let’s Keep a Level Playing Field for TSP Investors - November 25, 2019
- Participants in the federal employee retirement savings program deserve the same investment options as other Americans.The Federal Managers Association sits on the Employee Thrift Advisory Council (ETAC) which advises the Federal Retirement Thrift Investment Board (FRTIB). Clifford Dailing is Chair of ETAC, and Michael Kennedy is Chair of FRTIB.By Michael Kennedy and Clifford Dailing, Government ExecutiveWhen President Ronald Reagan signed the Federal Employees’ Retirement System Act in 1986 flanked by a bipartisan, bicameral group of lawmakers, the intent was clear: to provide federal employees a defined contribution retirement plan like private employers’ 401(k) plans. The Thrift Savings Plan has grown to hold the retirement savings of more than 5.5 million participants from federal and military service, with total assets of $600 billion.
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- FMA’s Take On The Agency Reorganization Proposals - July 3, 2018
- The Federal Managers Association, FEDmanager.comIt has been two weeks (as of writing) since the administration formally unveiled its long-awaited agency reorganization plan, called “Delivering Government Solutions in the 21st Century.” We at FMA have heard from many of our members and continue to analyze the merits for reform.
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- THE IMPORTANT BUT LESS SEXY SIDE OF INVESTING IN OUR MILITARY - December 19, 2017
The Federal Managers Association, FedManager.com
The Federal Managers Association (FMA) is featured in the latest edition of FedManager.com. Hear it from FMA is a regularly scheduled article that runs once a month in the publication. In this article, we write about investing in modernizing infrastructure and facilities across the government. It is sexy and splashy when headlines announce next generation of sophisticated aircraft and advanced ships, but we need to make the necessary investments to keep them viable.
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