OPM Expedites Supreme Court Ruling Regarding Extension of Benefits to Married Gay and Lesbian Federal Employees, Annuitants, and Their Families

MEMORANDUM FOR HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES From: Elaine Kaplan – Acting Director  Subject: Guidance on the Extension of Benefits to Married Gay and Lesbian Federal Employees, Annuitants, and Their Families As you already know, on June 26, 2013, the Supreme Court ruled that Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) is […]

OPM Director Issues Statement Regarding the Supreme Courts DOMA Decision

Statement by Acting Director Elaine Kaplan on the Supreme Court Decision in United States v. Windsor Washington, DC – “Today’s historic decision by the Supreme Court that the Defense of Marriage Act is unconstitutional is a much welcome development in the continuing quest to ensure equal treatment under the law to all Americans. For the […]

OIG: Oversight of Performance-Based Contracts

BACKGROUND: Performance-based contracting emphasizes that all aspects of an acquisition be structured around the purpose of the work to be performed as opposed to how the work is performed. It is designed to ensure that contractors are free to determine how to meet performance objectives, that appropriate performance quality levels are achieved, and that payment […]

Postal Inspectors honor local crime fighters

Postal Inspectors honor local crime fighters Task force helps solve cases totaling $59.8 million Over the past decade, upstate South Carolina was plagued with drug-related mail theft and financial crimes, challenging Postal Inspectors and local authorities. In 2008, Postal Inspectors joined forces with local authorities to form the Upstate Financial Crimes Task Force to fight […]

USPS: Be Wi-Fi Aware – Use Caution with Wireless Hot Spots

Be Wi-Fi Aware — Use Caution with Wireless Hot Spots Wireless hot spots provide great convenience for anyone traveling or working outside the office. But with the benefits come risks. Hot spots provide a wireless access point (WAP) available to anyone with a laptop antenna. WAPs may not be secured, because the owners want to […]

APWU: Break the ‘Chained’ CPI!

Break the ‘Chained’ CPI! Proposed Cut Threatens Postal, Federal Retirees and Social Security Recipients The APWU is urging union members and retirees to participate in rallies across the country on Tuesday, July 2, to protest a proposal that would put retirement benefits for millions of workers on the chopping block. The threat is from a […]

APWU: Article 12.5.B.2 Decision Received

In an award dated June 17, 2013, Arbitrator Stephen Goldberg rejected the union’s argument that the USPS was required by Article 12.5.B.2 to cobble together the work hours of PSEs in installations within a 50-mile withholding area in order to create duty assignments to minimize the impact of excessing on career employees. Goldberg concluded, “The […]

Message from PRC Chairman

On June 18th, the Postal Regulatory Commission published a decision changing the analytical principle defining the benchmark used for calculating worksharing discounts for certain types of First-Class Mail. This particular rulemaking docket is noteworthy because it was prompted by a Petition for Rulemaking submitted by a mailer. Petitions for rulemaking provide opportunities for interested persons […]