Better Work-Life Balance Makes for More Dedicated Civil Servants

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19 Mar

A new report issued by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) indicates what PASS and its members have known for years: offering family-friendly programs, such as flexible schedules and the option of telework, pays off for federal agencies and the American public. Workers who are able to take advantage of these programs are better able to balance their personal lives and professional careers, show higher performance and job satisfaction, and demonstrate a commitment to stay in the federal government.

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Hatch Act for the Modern Age

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16 Mar

With primary election season in full swing and the November mid-terms not far off, PASS reminds its members and all federal employees that there are certain restrictions on their political activity. The Hatch Act, a federal law passed in 1939 that limits certain political activities of federal employees, is changing according to modern times. Recently, the Office of Special Counsel (OSC), the agency that enforces the law, released updated guidance on the Hatch Act as it relates to social media and email. However, new guidance does not negate traditional rules and regulations and all federal employees should be fully educated before pursuing any politically-related activity.

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PASS Statement on Rep. Shuster Abandoning Plans for ATC Privatization

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28 Feb

Yesterday, House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) announced he would abandon his efforts to privatize the nation’s air traffic control system by removing it from the control of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Mike Perrone, national president of the Professional Aviation Safety Specialists, AFL-CIO (PASS), released the following statement in response:

“FAA employees, millions of airline passengers, and the aviation industry as a whole, deserve bipartisan solutions when crafting ways to reform and improve the agency. PASS is proud to have fought alongside our allies for years against dangerous efforts to privatize the air traffic control system. We look forward to working together with lawmakers from either party to find real solutions to securing the long-term and stable funding needed to continue the modernization of the largest, safest and most complex aviation system in the world.”

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Shutdown-ending CR also provides back pay for furloughed feds

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23 Jan

As reported to PASS-represented employees after the shutdown ended; the continuing resolution (CR) signed by the president extends funding for the federal government through February 8 and provides back pay for federal employees.

"President Donald Trump signed yet another short-term continuing resolution Monday evening, just hours after the measure won approval from the House and Senate, ending a government shutdown on its third day and granting back pay to furloughed feds.

"The continuing resolution contains language that provides back pay to federal employees who were furloughed beginning early Saturday morning and to those whose jobs were deemed exempt from the furlough." Read more

As Shutdown Looms, PASS Reviews Its 2017 Legislative Successes

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16 Jan

Even as a government shutdown looms, the PASS National Legislative Committee looks back on a successful year completed. Committee Chair and PASS Chapter NG3 member Mark Dunlap reflects on the union’s accomplishments.

“As 2017 came to a close, the PASS National Legislative Committee was just as busy as they were in January, when a new administration and a new Congress were sworn into office.

“With the new political makeup in Washington, D.C. came multiple attacks on federal employee pay and benefits as well as attacks on official time. With members’ help, PASS has so far been successful in pushing back on these bills and our work will continue in 2018.

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TSP Modernization Act Signed into Law

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01 Dec

On November 17, President Trump signed into law the TSP Modernization Act of 2017 (H.R.3031) which makes a number of changes to the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) to assist current and retired federal employees. The legislation received bipartisan support and was introduced by Reps. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) and Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) in the House and Sens. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Tom Carper (D-Del.) in the Senate.

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