Federal Newscast

Back-and-forth arguments over the Agriculture Department’s mass reorganization plans are intensifying. The American Federation of Government Employees is seeking to stay a pending appeal motion from USDA. That’s as USDA is attempting to reverse a court injunction that’s been blocking the reorganization effort. Despite a federal judge ordering USDA to halt its plans, Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins says USDA is “full-bore ahead” on the reorganization. AFGE has been suing USDA over the plans, calling them an unlawful attempt at a reduction in force.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Army National Guard is expanding a free childcare program for soldiers who have to report for weekend drills. The pilot program started in 20 states and will be available in all 50 states, three territories and Washington, D.C., by the end of the year. The program allows eligible Guard members to arrange childcare near their homes or drill locations at no cost. Army officials say reliable childcare can ease stress for military families, remove a potential obstacle to attending drills and help improve retention.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

October was another rough month for the Thrift Savings Plan. Only 3 of 15 plans saw positive returns last month compared with September. And only the F fund saw significant increases, increasing by 2.47% in October. The G and L funds came in with a return of under 1%. The other 13 funds dropped anywhere from 0.4% to 2.89% month over month. For the year, 14 of 15 funds continue to produce solid returns with only the F fund remaining underwater. The I fund has returned the highest percentage year to date despite a down September.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Third-party arbitrators have handed down two recent wins to the National Treasury Employees Union. One of the decisions finds that the IRS violated its union agreement by blocking employees on alternative work schedules from earning additional credit hours. The second decision involves employees who attempted to withdraw their resignations during workforce reduction efforts. It orders the IRS to allow those employees to be reinstated. NTEU says it expects the IRS may appeal or ignore the two arbitration decisions. But the union says it will continue pushing for the rulings to be enforced.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

The Office of Personnel Management is reminding federal employees that they should be allowed to report misconduct of their colleagues, without fear of retaliation. In a memo to agencies, OPM says concerns about potential EEO complaints, grievances or personal liability should not discourage feds from reporting suspected wrongdoing. OPM is telling agencies to communicate these protections to employees and promptly address any instances of retaliation that arise.
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.