FederalDaily - April 17, 2006

Priority Promotions for 1,400 IRS Workers

The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) announced Thursday that 1,400 Internal Revenue Service employees will get priority consideration for future promotions to offset two years of improper promotion criteria. According to NTEU, the IRS had been using “good potential” as a factor in determining promotions, even though no such measure was agreed to by the union and the agency. An arbitrator ruled in favor of NTEU in a grievance, and the Federal Labor Relations Authority upheld the judgment. Now the previously effected employees can receive promotional consideration before other candidates. “This is a major victory for every IRS employee,” NTEU President Colleen Kelley said. “NTEU has set yet another federal sector benchmark.”

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GSA Updates Per Diem Rates

The General Services Administration (GSA) has updated lodging rates for particular regions in the following states: California, Georgia, Illinois, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, South Carolina and Washington. The new rates will apply to travel on or after May 1, 2006. GSA used lodging industry data and information from federal travelers that spent time at those locations. The specific locations affected are:

• Alameda County, Calif.;
• Chatham County, Ga.;
• Cook County and Lake County, Ill.;
• Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, and Staten Island, N.Y.;
• Mecklenburg County, N.C.;
• Hamilton County and Clermont County, Ohio;
• Aiken County, S.C.; and
• Pierce County, Washington.

Per diem rates are published online at www.gsa.gov/perdiem.

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NOAA Needs Open Communication for Scientists

Rep. Sherwood Boehlert, R-N.Y.—chairman of the House Science Committee—sent an April 11 letter to Vice Adm. Conrad Lautenbacher, administrator of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), calling for more open lines of communication to allow agency scientists to voice ideas and concerns. The issue stems from an April 6 article in the Washington Post, describing concerns among NOAA scientists about limited discussion on climate change. In a press release Boehlert noted that, despite a phone call with Lautenbacher, “at least some scientists at NOAA continue to feel that the agency is not encouraging open communication.” Boehlert’s recommendations included the following:

• establish a process for scientists to report concerns of suppressed information;
• create a clear policy regarding scientific communication;
• notify NOAA public affairs of consequences for continued suppression of information; and
• meet with NOAA scientists to express a commitment to open communication.

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Hiring Initiative for Servicemembers Injured by IEDs

The Joint IED (improvised explosive device) Defeat Organization (JIEDDO) and the Operation Warfighter program (OWF) at Walter Reed Army Medical Center have joined forces to provide work opportunities for servicemembers injured by IEDs, the Army announced on April 10. OWF is a nationwide program that helps injured troops obtain federal employment. Now the organization will help recruit servicemembers wounded by IEDs for placement within JIEDDO. Army Brig. Gen. Dan Allyn, deputy director of JIEDDO, stated, “This organization will certainly benefit from the presence, experience and competencies of recuperating OWF personnel who have been injured as a result of an IED attack.” OWF conducted the first recruiting effort in January 2006 at Walter Reed—of 65 candidates, 22 were selected and placed with JIEDDO. All 22 came from the Army, but, as the program expands, servicemember from all military branches are eligible.

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