While the government shutdown ended as of October 17, we will continue to post related updates here for the next few weeks until operations have fully returned to normal.
The Federal Managers Association voiced the frustrations and disbelief of its members as the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives failed to reach an agreement to keep the U.S. Government funded as of October 1, 2013. FMA National President Patricia Niehaus has sent letters, spoken to national leaders, and communicated with the media in the Association's effort to keep the government from shutting down. Now that the government shutdown has ended, FMA will continue to reach out to all parties to ensure the government is again serving the American people as it should. Sadly, the wasted hours and money that went into shutting down the government will never be returned, but we will fight for cost-effective, sensible approaches to running the government. We thank each and every FMA member who wrote their national representatives and ask that you continue to send the action letters FMA prepares for you.
FMA Efforts and Information Relating to the Government Shutdown
Below are links to articles as well as reports on some of the efforts FMA and its members have undertaken to attempt to avert the shutdown, and subsequently, lessen the impact on federal employees and all Americans.
FURLOUGHED FEDS WILL GET CREDIT FOR LOST LEAVE - October 21, 2013
FIRST DAY BACK AFTER SHUTDOWN APPEARS TO GO SMOOTHLY AMID BITTER FEELINGS - October 18, 2013
SHUTDOWN DEAL ALLOWS 1 PERCENT PAY RAISE IN 2014 - October 18, 2013
FEDS CAN EXPECT BACK PAY WITH NEXT CHECKS - October 18, 2013
FEDERAL EMPLOYEES HEADED BACK TO WORK - October 17, 2013
SENATE DEAL WOULD OPEN GOVERNMENT, AVERT DEFAULT -- AND KEEP SEQUESTRATION - October 16, 2013
BANKS REACH OUT TO FURLOUGHED FEDS - October 10, 2013
HOUSE APPROVES BACK PAY FOR FEDS - October 7, 2013
DOD EMPLOYEES ORDERED BACK TO WORK - October 7, 2013
FEDERAL-POSTAL COALITION ADVOCATES FOR FURLOUGHED FEDS' BACK PAY - October 4, 2013
FMA URGES MEMBERS OF CONGRESS TO PROVIDE BACK PAY FOR FURLOUGHED WORKERS- October 4, 2013
OPM ISSUES GUIDANCE ON SHUTDOWN FURLOUGHS - October 1, 2013
FMA NATIONAL PRESIDENT URGES CONGRESS TO PREVENT A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN - September 30, 2013
FMA'S NIEHAUS URGES CONGRESS TO AVOID A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN - September 26, 2013
FMA CALLS UPON MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE TO DEVELOP A BUDGET - September 10, 2013
Helpful Links
Long Term Care Insurance Program - If you pay your premiums using direct bill or automatic bank withdrawal, your payment process will not change.
If you pay your premiums through payroll deductions and you do not receive pay, payroll deductions for your Federal Long Term Care Insurance Program premiums will cease. You do not need to take any action at this time. However, if we do not receive payroll deductions for three consecutive pay periods, you may receive direct bills to pay your premiums. You must pay premiums directly billed on a timely basis to ensure continuation of coverage. When deductions resume, the FLTCIP may attempt to collect missed premiums by adjusting future deductions from your payroll.
For additional information regarding your FLTCIP coverage during the shutdown period, please visit www.opm.gov.
The Justice Federal Credit Union is offering no interest loans to furloughed federal employees. Click the link below for more information. If you do not qualify, look into credit unions that serve your agency. https://www.jfcu.org.
Unemployment Benefits: Look into your state's process to apply for unemployment benefits. While FMA will continue to push for retroactive pay for any fed who was furloughed, nothing is guaranteed. Here is a link to Virginia's Employment Commission as an example: http://www.vec.virginia.gov/unemployed/Claimant-Handbook/Claimant-Handbook/Applying-for-Benefits. Your state will have a similar website.
Continuing Education: In the Washington, D.C. area, Georgetown University is offering free classes to federal employees: http://scs.georgetown.edu/about-scs/news-and-events/article.cfm?eId=831. Check your local community colleges and universities for similar offerings.
Ideas & Suggestions
Please let FMA know about other useful links we should share with your fellow members. Send your ideas and suggestions to Membership Coordinator Katie Redmond at kredmond@fedmanagers.org.