| ||||
| Home|About Us FMA AwardsFMA In A FlashFMA HistoryPresident's MessageFMA PartnersFMA ProductsPhoto GalleryContact FMA |Membership CenterWhy You Should Join FMAChaptersChapter LocationsMember BenefitsVirtual Recruitment KitsScholarshipsOnline ApplicationFAQ |Legislative Action CenterAction LettersWashington ReportFMA at WorkResources and LinksGrassroots ToolkitIssue BriefsLegislative TrackerFMA PrioritiesTestimonyPresident's LettersOPM Data Breach InformationLegislative FAQFMA, Sequestration, and Furloughs |News & Media|Events|Members Only | ||||
| ||||
_____________________________
READ THE CURRENT ISSUE OF THE FEDERAL MANAGER MAGAZINE!
_____________________________
_____________________________
- Biden Nominates Kiran Ahuja for OPM Director - February 23, 2021
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutivePresident Biden on Tuesday announced that he will nominate Kiran Ahuja to be the director of the Office of Personnel Management, tapping an Obama administration veteran to rebuild an agency slated for dissolution by President Trump. The Federal Managers Association strongly supports the nomination of Kiran Ahuja for this key position.
- Read More
- Federal Hiring and Workforce Reforms Included in Biden's Immigration Package - February 19, 2021
- By Eric Katz, Government ExecutivePresident Biden and congressional Democrats unveiled immigration overhaul legislation on Thursday that would significantly impact operations at several federal agencies and walk back initiatives put in place under the Trump administration.
- Read More
- Preserving Competence in the Civil Service - February 3, 2021
- Once a month the Federal Managers Association writes a Hear It from FMA article for the FEDmanager.com newsletter. This article originally ran in the February 2, 2021 issue.If one wanted to cripple the leadership and efficiency of the civil service, it would be difficult to design a more efficient way to do it than the creation of Schedule F. Not only would the result of Schedule F have been a routine, mass firing every four to eight years of the upper echelons of the bureaucracy that enables the government to function, but it also would have created an incredible incentive for competent feds who would make excellent leaders to do everything in their power to avoid promotion to the level where their talents could be best used.
- Read More
- FMA Urges Congress to Avoid a Shutdown - December 11, 2020
- On December 11, the Senate agreed by unanimous voice vote to a one-week extension of the Continuing Resolution (CR) that has funded Fiscal Year 2021 since October 1. The House of Representatives passed the extension on December 9, which allows for more time for negotiations on longer-term appropriations and a stimulus package in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.FMA National President Craig Carter sent a letter to Congress urging passage of appropriations to fund the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021.
- Read More
- FMA and Colleagues Work to Block Schedule F - December 11, 2020
- On December 11, FMA joined nearly 80 other signatories on a letter urging congressional leadership to act swiftly to block the implementation of the Executive Order creating Schedule F (E.O. 13957). The EO makes it easier for and administration to remove civil servants and install political appointees in their place.
- Read More
- 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.
- Read More
- 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.
- Read More
- FMA Washington Report: February 8, 2021
- 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 February 8, 2021, edition of FMA's Washington Report. In this issue, we discuss the proposed 3.2 percent pay raise for 2022, legislation introduced early in the 117th Congress, President Biden's Executive Order related to the federal workforce, and FMA's upcoming 83rd annual National Convention, among other issues. As always, we encourage you to visit www.fedmanagers.org on a regular basis for information on these and other matters.
- Read More
- OPM MEMO: RECENT PAY AND LEAVE-RELATED LEGISLATIVE CHANGES - FEBRUARY 16, 2021
- CREATING A SAFER FEDERAL WORKFORCE: A RESPONSE TO COVID-19
- FMA's 83rd ANNUAL CONVENTION & MANAGEMENT TRAINING SEMINAR -
- OPM GUIDANCE ON THE HIGHER ANNUAL LEAVE CARRYOVER LIMIT UNDER SECTION 1111 OF THE FISCAL YEAR 2021 NATIONAL DEFENSE AUTHORIZATION ACT - JANUARY 5, 2021
- FEEA PROVIDES CORONAVIRUS RESOURCES FOR FEDS - INCLUDING FREE MASKS!
- Democrats Introduce Slew of Bills to Strengthen Protections for Federal Workforce - February 25, 2021
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveDemocratic lawmakers on Tuesday introduced a series of bills aimed at improving protections for federal employees and expanding opportunities for those who belong to minority groups to advance in the national security sector.
- Read More
- All TSP Funds (Except One) Up in 2021 - February 24, 2021
- By Ralph R. Smith, FedSmithSo far in 2021, returns for investors in the Thrift Savings Plan have been positive. Through February 19, 2021, most of the TSP core funds are ahead for the year. The C Fund is up 4.23%, the S Fund is up 13.07% and the I Fund is up 4.05%. For the bond funds, the G Fund is up 0.13%.
- Read More
- Railroad Retirement Board taps Bitzer as HR director - February 23, 2021
- We are proud of FMA's own Nancy Bitzer at the U.S. Railroad Retirement Board, who is featured in this article covering her appointment as director of human resources. We are excited to hear from Ms. Bitzer at our virtual national convention in March.Progressive RailroadingThe U.S. Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) has appointed Nancy Bitzer director of human resources.Bitzer most recently served as the RRB's chief of human services/labor relations, a position she held since since September 2013, RRB officials said in a press release.
- Read More
- House Lawmakers Want Federal Government to Handle Vaccinations for DC Area Federal Employees - February 23, 2021
- By Ian Smith, FedSmithA group of lawmakers in the House are asking the federal government to be in charge of distributing COVID-19 vaccinations to federal employees in the Washington, DC area.
- Read More
- OPM Implements Recent Pay and Benefits Changes - February 22, 2021
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveThe Office of Personnel Management on Tuesday reminded agencies of changes to federal workers’ pay and benefits that were enacted into law as part of a pair of packages in late 2020, chief among them technical corrections to ensure that a new paid parental leave policy applied to all federal workers.
- Read More
- DoD has vaccinated nearly 300,000 civilians for COVID-19 - February 18, 2021
- Jessie Bur, Federal TimesThe Department of Defense is approaching the one million milestone for COVID-19 vaccination doses, as Maj. Gen. Jeff Taliaferro, the Joint Staff’s vice director for operations, confirmed to members of the House Armed Services Committee Feb. 17.
- Read More
- Extra Paid Leave Proposed for Feds Who Use Up Sick Leave Due to Pandemic - February 17, 2021
- FedWeekThe House is moving toward creating a new central fund that would provide additional paid leave time for federal employees with personal or family medical or care issues related to the pandemic that prevent them from working, but who have no sick leave remaining.
- Read More
- OPM Clarifies Weather Closure Policy Amid Maximum Telework - February 16, 2021
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveThe Office of Personnel Management on Wednesday urged agencies to ensure that all federal employees know and understand the policies on closures for inclement weather and other emergencies, particularly in light of the “maximum telework” posture adopted across much of the federal government during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
- Read More
- Federal Agencies Are Increasingly Avoiding Normal Hiring Procedures to Bring On New Staff Quickly - February 12, 2021
- By Eric Katz, Government ExecutiveFederal agencies are using special, quicker mechanisms to hire a growing proportion of their workforces, leaving in question processes embedded in civil service laws to ensure fairness and equity in the government onboarding process.
- Read More
- House COVID Relief Bill Includes 15 Weeks of Paid Leave for Federal Parents, Caregivers - February 11, 2021
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveHouse Democrats’ latest COVID relief bill would dramatically expand federal employees’ access to paid leave needed in connection with the pandemic, offering up to 600 hours of time off for those who are unable to work due to COVID-19 symptoms or self-isolation orders and those who need to care for a child whose school or daycare center is closed or relying on virtual learning.
- Read More
- Bill Would Terminate Federal Employees Who Knowingly Misspend Federal Funds - February 10, 2021
- By Ian Smith, FedSmithLegislation has been introduced that would terminate federal employees who “knowingly and willfully misspend federal funds and lie to Congress and the public about how the money was spent” as stated in a press release on the bill.
- Read More
- Personnel Office Urged to Provide Feds with Administrative Leave to Get COVID-19 Vaccinations - February 9, 2021
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveA group of House Democrats representing the Washington, D.C., area last week urged the Biden administration to grant federal workers paid administrative leave so that they can get COVID-19 vaccinations.
- Read More
- Setting the Stage for Improved Performance - February 8, 2021
- By Howard Risher, Government ExecutiveThe pandemic and transition to a new presidential administration has triggered renewed attention to agency management challenges. A number of loosely related recent reports and columns point to a framework that could serve the Biden White House in its efforts to improve agency performance. Central to these efforts is the redefinition of the role of managers based on agencies’ recent experiences with widespread telework. This is a new stage of a revolution in the way work is organized and managed that began in the private sector three decades ago. It starts with a shift in management philosophy.
- Read More
- Biden: Foreign Service Officers and Career Civil Servants Are the 'Center of All That I Intend to Do' - February 5, 2021
- By Eric Katz, Government ExecutiveSpeaking at the State Department, Biden told those gathered and watching remotely that foreign service employees and career civil servants are essential to keeping the country running and to enacting his agenda. He noted that he worked with career diplomats as vice president and while he served in the Senate, where he chaired the Foreign Relations Committee, and personally witnessed their tireless efforts.
- Read More
- Lawmakers Push for Increases in Feds’ Leave, Retirement Benefits - February 4, 2021
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveAt the start of a new session of Congress, lawmakers often introduce—and reintroduce—a flurry of bills related to federal employees’ pay and benefits, and this year has been no exception.
- Read More
- The Biggest Risks for a FERS Retiree - February 3, 2021
- By Dallen Haws, FedSmithRetirement is a strange transition for many people. We are no longer using a paycheck to pay our bills. We are now relying on a mixture of fixed income and investment income to get us through the rest of our lives.
- Read More
- Biden Unfreezes Billions at Two-Dozen Agencies, Reversing Trump's Last Minute Budget Maneuver - February 2, 2021
- By Eric Katz, Government ExecutivePresident Biden on Sunday formally revoked his predecessor’s effort to rescind $27 billion in funding spread across two-dozen federal agencies, unfreezing the money for immediate expenditure.
- Read More
- Bill Would Give Federal Employees 12 Weeks of Paid Leave - February 1, 2021
- By Ian Smith, FedSmithLegislation introduced today would provide 12 weeks of paid leave to all federal employees relating to personal illness, illness of a family member, or military deployment.
- Read More
- Fixing Federal Compensation Should Be Civil Service Reform Priority No. 1 - January 29, 2021
- By James L. Perry, Government ExecutiveThe transition from the Trump administration to the Biden administration has orchestrated a crescendo of views about fixing the federal civil service. Most of those involve eliminating Schedule F; honoring civil service; increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts; and restoring labor-management collaboration.
- Read More
- Billions Flow Out of TSP Due to COVID, and More - January 28, 2021
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveOfficials at the federal government’s 401(k)-style retirement savings program said this week that nearly $3 billion exited the Thrift Savings Plan this year as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Read More
- Trump Signs Order Formalizing 1% Pay Raise for Federal Civilians In 2021 - December 31, 2020
- The raise does not include a change in locality pay.Government ExecutivePresident Trump on Thursday issued an executive order making official his recommendation for a 1% pay raise for civilian federal employees in 2021.
- Read More
- OPM Proposes Prioritizing Job Performance Over Tenure in Layoffs - December 18, 2020
- By Erich Wagner, Government ExecutiveThe Office of Personnel Management on Thursday proposed regulations that would prioritize employees’ recent performance over their length of service when agencies decide who to lay off during reductions in force.
- Read More
- 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.”
- Read More
- 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.
- Read More
- 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."
- Read More
- Why We Need to Focus on Pay Equity in Government - February 23, 2021
- By Howard Risher, Government ExecutiveA recent headline on an HR website alerted private employers to renewed commitment to dealing with a long recognized problem in the United States: “Biden admin likely to act on pay equity, systemic bias, says former EEOC official.” That is consistent with the new administration’s public policy goals and with statements President Biden has made in the past. In a 2018 speech at Brookings, Biden focused on “the hollowing of the middle, income inequality and lack of opportunity.”
- Read More
- Preserving Competence in the Civil Service - February 3, 2021
- Once a month the Federal Managers Association writes a Hear It from FMA article for the FEDmanager.com newsletter. This article originally ran in the February 2, 2021 issue.If one wanted to cripple the leadership and efficiency of the civil service, it would be difficult to design a more efficient way to do it than the creation of Schedule F. Not only would the result of Schedule F have been a routine, mass firing every four to eight years of the upper echelons of the bureaucracy that enables the government to function, but it also would have created an incredible incentive for competent feds who would make excellent leaders to do everything in their power to avoid promotion to the level where their talents could be best used.
- Read More
- Advocating for Feds to Keep Their Earned Leave - September 28, 2020
- This article originally ran in the September 1, 2020 issue of FEDManager.com.Much of what we do here at the Federal Managers Association comes down to trying to get a square deal for feds. We recognize that federal managers do critical work on behalf of the country, and that without them and the work they do, the country would not function as well as it does. From disaster response to building transportation infrastructure to protecting our national security, feds do the hard work of keeping our country safe, prosperous, and strong.
- Read More
- 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
- 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.
- Read More
- 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.
- Read More
- 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.
- Read More
- FMA SUPPORTS NOMINATION OF KIRAN AHUJA FOR OPM DIRECTOR - February 23, 2021
- Alexandria, VA – President Biden announced Kiran Ahuja as his nominee for Director of the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) today. The Federal Managers Association (FMA) supports and endorses Ahuja for this nomination. FMA National President Craig Carter made the following comments on the announcement:"FMA is pleased with Kiran Ahuja’s nomination as Director, and believe she is an exceptional choice to lead OPM. Her previous experience and service – including several years as chief of staff at OPM – ensure she has the background and qualifications to effectively lead this agency at this critical time.
- Read More
- FMA Commends Congress for Overriding President’s Veto of the NDAA - January 1, 2021
- Alexandria, VA – On January 1, 2021, the U.S. Senate officially overrode President Trump’s veto of the National Defense Authorization Act by a vote of 81 to 13, four days after the House voted to override the veto by a margin of 322 to 87, preventing an unprecedented lapse in military funding. Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Craig Carter made the following statement in response to its passage:"FMA commends Congress for acting to prevent the incapacitation of our military, and the accompanying threats to our national security. While FMA is a nonpartisan organization, it recognizes the hesitance many legislators must feel in overriding a president’s veto. The Representatives and Senators who chose not to allow personal politics to irreparably harm this key national interest deserve recognition for their decision. Partisan squabbles should never be allowed to compromise our core interests as a nation.
- Read More
- FMA HEARTENED BY PASSAGE OF GOVERNMENT FUNDING OMNIBUS - December 27, 2020
- Alexandria, VA – On December 27, President Trump signed a $1.4 trillion omnibus bill to fund the government through the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021. Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Craig Carter made the following statement in response to its passage:"FMA is heartened that Congress and the administration were able to come to an agreement to fund the government, ensuring that it can plan for a future beyond the next short-term Continuing Resolution (CR). While significant damage has already been done to the ability of the federal government and the military to begin new projects or extend existing ones for this year, and the 87 days lost to CR’s thus far can never be regained, we are pleased that the federal government and military can now plan for the current fiscal year.
- Read More
- FMA STATEMENT ON SENATE PASSAGE OF CONTINUING RESOLUTION - September 30, 2020
- Alexandria, VA – Earlier tonight, September 30, the U.S. Senate approved a Continuing Resolution (CR) providing government funding through December 11, 2020. The final vote was 84 - 10. Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Craig Carter made the following statement in response to its passage:“As I said last week when the House passed the continuing resolution, a CR is preferable to a government shutdown. But preferable in this case does not amount to desirable, except when put against the catastrophe of a government shutdown. Regrettably, this is the exact situation we find ourselves in yet again."
- Read More
- FMA COMMENDS HOUSE ON PASSAGE OF CONTINUING RESOLUTION - September 23, 2020
- Alexandria, VA - On September 22 the U.S. House of Representatives approved a continuing resolution (CR) providing government funding through December 11, 2020. The final vote was 359 – 57. Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Craig Carter made the following statement in response to its passage:"FMA would like to acknowledge the House’s efforts to fund the federal government. The House successfully passed ten of twelve spending bills before the August recess, and did significant work on all twelve. Passing these spending bills is critical to enabling federal workers and agencies to carry out their crucial missions on behalf of the American people. We thank the House for their commitment to this process. FMA urges the Senate to respond to this overwhelmingly bipartisan continuing resolution by swiftly passing their own CR prior to October 1 when the government would be forced to shut down due to lack of funding.”
- Read More
- 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.”
- Read More
- 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."
- Read More
