HUD to start paying FLSA damages - August 4, 2008, Council 222 past President, Carolyn Federoff, sent e:Alert to HUD bargaining unit employees nationwide that the NFC and HUD Fort Worth Acctg Center are in the process of making payments pursuant to the FLSA Final Settlement Agreement. The e:alert is on Enews page, click the Enews tab above.
Senate panel faults agency IT efforts - A Senate panel report card showed that half of major agencies failed to effectively plan and implement their information technology projects in fiscal 2008, putting billions of dollars at potential risk. " ... But a high grade was no guarantee of progress, Carper said. The Housing and Urban Development Department received a top score because it reported that every project was on schedule and cost. Yet, HUD re-baselined one project seven times. FCW article >
Mikulski Fulfills Promise to Kennedy With Passage of Critical Higher Education Reform The College Opportunity and Affordability Act (H.R.4137) has taken 13 extensions and 10 years to pass, makes sweeping reforms to modernize the Higher Education Act of 1965, including increasing grant aid and access for the nation’s neediest students, returning Soldiers and those enrolled in Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), simplifying the federal aid application process, and adding new measures to go after the cronyism, kickbacks and sweetheart deals discovered between financial aid offices and the student loan industry. The bill now heads to the President to be signed into law.
House Backs New FERS Sick Leave Policy - 07/31/08 - The House passed a measure on Wednesday that would grant federal employees hired since 1984 the same benefit as their counterparts in an older retirement system: credit for unused sick leave in their pension calculations. go to GovExec article
GSA Raises Mileage Reimbursement For Federal Employees - 07/29/08 - The General Services Administration on Monday followed a recent Internal Revenue Service announcement by raising the mileage reimbursement rate for government employees using their personal vehicles on the job to 58.5 cents per mile. The mileage reimbursement rate, previously 50.5 cents per mile, is used to calculate the deductible costs of operating a personal vehicle for business purposes. The IRS determines the maximum rate allowed as a business deduction and GSA sets the reimbursement rate, which cannot exceed the IRS limit, for federal employees. The rate typically is set annually, but the IRS made an unusual midyear adjustment in late June in response to high gas prices. go to GovExec article.
The Presidential Transition - "Starting in January 2009, federal agencies will undergo the first change in presidential administrations in eight years. That means adjustments to a new president´s policy priorities, management objectives and political appointees." Government Executive´s special section will present regularly updated information and resources about transition-related activities. go to the section > >
Pocket Guide to Political Activity - The Hatch Act is a federal law that limits political activity by federal employees who are on duty, wearing a government uniform, in the workplace or in a government vehicle. Political activity is any effort directed toward the success or failure of a political party or candidate for partisan office. You CAN be a grassroots and legislative political activist without violating the Hatch Act. Click the thumbnail to open the pocket guide, know the "cans" and "cannots" for federal employees!
These flyers are colorful and ready to print! AFGE legislative wins help us all. Post these flyers on your union bulletin boards!
The Department of Labor June 2, 2006 Final Rule requires labor organizations subject to the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978, the Foreign Service Act of 1980 and the Congressional Accountability Act of 1995 to periodically inform their members of their rights as union members. The Final Rule will help ensure that federal union members are given basic understanding of: 1) rights as union members; 2) responsibilities of union officers.
Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 (CSRA) - The standards of conduct provisions in this Act, among other statutes, guarantee certain rights to members of unions representing Federal employees and impose certain responsibilities on officers of these unions.
read about the CSRA >
DOL 06/02/06 Federal Register Final Rule | DOL Fact Sheet | Council 222 Constitution/ByLaws
Foreign Service Act of 1980 | Congressional Accountability Act of 1995
