Author Archive
Lia Russell
Lia Russell is a former staff writer and associate editor at FCW.
Employee Policy
USCIS pushes off planned furloughs
A top appropriator vows to address potential future furloughs in next COVID-related legislative package.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
OPM stonewalls probe of possible civil service violations, IG says
The Inspector General of the Office of Personnel Management says the agency is not cooperating with a look at potential civil service law violations.
- By Lia Russell
Benefits
House-passed NDAA expands paid leave benefit to excluded feds, bans TikTok
Title 38 employees working at the Transportation Security Administration, Department of Veterans Affairs and Federal Aviation Administration were not included in the original bill that established the benefit.
- By Lauren C. Williams and Lia Russell
Employee Policy
Senate bill calls for online Plum Book
The measure looks to require more frequent updates of the directory of political appointees.
- By Lia Russell
Pay
Senators cite USCIS surplus in request to postpone furloughs
The immigration agency is now set to end FY2020 with surplus, and two Senate appropriators are asking for a pause on furloughs while Congress negotiates supplemental funding to offset 2021 shortfalls.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
Senator asks agencies to publicly share reopening plans
Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich) sent letters to 24 agencies on July 14 asking them to release details of any contingency plans they had for ensuring employees’ safety after health concerns due to COVID-19 forced large numbers of government employees to work remotely.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
Virginia issues first statewide safety standards to address COVID in the workplace
Governor says new rules are response to OSHA's alleged lack of action.
- By Lia Russell
Pay
House committee passes DHS spending bill, boosts USCIS funding
Passage comes a day after union leaders warned about impacts of looming USCIS furloughs.
- By Lia Russell
Pay
10 House members urge 3% pay raise for civilian feds
Citing pay parity and COVID-19 resiliency, lawmakers urge Appropriations Committee to rethink planned 1% increase.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
FLRA rule allows feds to opt-out of union dues
Unions blast decision to allow workers to discontinue their payments at outside the traditional annual "window."
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
House FY21 funding bill blocks OPM-GSA merger and empowers unions
The House Appropriations Committee's Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee's bill would codify language to block merging the Office of Personnel Management and General Services Administration -- an administration goal that has drawn opposition from congressional Democratic leaders.
- By Lia Russell
Biden pledges to roll back Trump’s workforce policies
The Democratic candidate pledges to appropriate permanent funding to feds in case of another shutdown.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
Immigration judges' union sues Justice Department
The National Association of Immigration Judges is suing the Department of Justice over restrictions that cover public speaking about immigration issues.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
Sexual abuse suit filed against former AFGE chief and union
Plaintiffs ask for compensation and punishment, federal monitor to reform union.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
High court rules president can remove CFPB director
Chief Justice John Roberts writes that the single-director structure of the Consumer Financial Protection is virtually unprecedented and violates separation of powers doctrine.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
Successful pandemic-response strategies should continue
Government employees and some lawmakers are hoping to make COVID-driven operational changes, such as teleworking and accelerated hiring processes, last beyond the pandemic.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
Trump nominates controversial Land Management official for permanent director
William Perry Pendley oversaw the bureau’s move from Washington, D.C., to Grand Junction, Colo.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
Union pushes back on EPA reopening plans
The Environmental Protection Agency is pushing ahead with plans to reopen its Washington, D.C., headquarters office despite broad opposition from its biggest union.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
Judge OKs union's challenge of Impasses Panel
A federal labor union can go ahead with a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the composition of the Federal Services Impasses Panel, a judge ruled June 22.
- By Lia Russell
Employee Policy
Pandemic oversight group details watchdog challenges
The Pandemic Response Accountability Committee described issues with conducting oversight of federal agencies who received CARES Act funding and protecting the physical safety of employees whose work did not allow them to perform their duties remotely.
- By Lia Russell