Federal Daily - April 30, 2008
AFGE Files Complaint on Behalf of Reserve Technicians
The American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) has filed a complaint on behalf of civilian
employees in the Air Force who claim new military dress rules threaten their dual status as Air Force
Reserve Technicians (ART). At issue are recently enacted mandates by the Air Force Reserve Command
(AFRC) requiring ARTs to dress in uniform while serving in their civilian capacity, AFGE said in an
April 24 statement. ARTs are a civilian DoD bargaining unit represented by AFGE. Although AFRC claims
that the change is meant to facilitate integration with active duty servicemembers, the union said
members feel the move is aimed at undermining collective bargaining rights. Specifically, ART union
members fear the mandate will lead to the deployment of federal employees without the government honoring
previously negotiated collective bargaining agreements. “We are arguing that the regulation regarding
the uniforms is capricious and contrary to law,” said Eugene Fidell, the attorney handling the
case. “A civilian employee cannot be required to wear a military uniform.” To see more,
go to: www.afge.org/Index.cfm?Page=PressReleases&PressReleaseID=842.
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Bill Would Allow Feds to Use Sick Leave for Volunteer Service
Under a bill introduced by Jim Moran, D-Va., federal employees would be able to use up to two days
a year of their annual sick leave to take time off for volunteer community service. To be eligible,
federal employees would have to perform their service for an organization participating in the Combined
Federal Campaign (CFC) or an organization otherwise prescribed by OPM, Moran noted in an April 28 statement.
About one-third of large U.S. companies have formal time-off policies in support of employee volunteer
involvement, Moran said. Labor leaders warmly embraced the new bill. “This sets a great example
for all Americans to participate in projects to improve their communities,” said John Gage, president
of the Association of Federal Government Employees. Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury
Employees Union, agreed. “This bill is an easy way for the federal government to add thousands
of additional volunteer hours to provide hope and assistance to members of our communities who need
a hand,” Kelley said.
To see more, go to: www.house.gov/moran or www.nteu.org/PressKits/PressRelease/PressRelease.aspx?ID=1261.
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GSA Launches Mobile-Friendly Web Portal
The General Services Administration (GSA) has launched a new mobile-friendly version of USA.gov, which
will provide direct links to such content as the GovGab federal government blog and listings for government
per diem rates. The Web site, www.mobile.usa.gov, offers services
for the mobile user that display well on the small screens of mobile devices, GSA said in an April
23 statement. The Web site—which will also offer a congressional contact search function and
access to weather forecasts—lacks the complicated graphics and lengthy text that can bog down
mobile web browsers, GSA said. GSA plans to continue to add functionality to the Web site as more mobile-friendly
content becomes available. To see more, go to: www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/contentView.do?pageTypeId=8199&channelId=-13259&P=&contentId=24419&contentType=GSA_BASIC.
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