This report provides an update on issues affecting federal managers. As always, I encourage you to visit www.fedmanagers.org on a regular basis for more information on these and other matters.

Also, be sure to look for the FMA Grassroots Update, where we offer links to action letters and FMA-PAC matters we do not address in the Washington Report. The grassroots newsletter is sent exclusively to non-governmental email addresses to avoid any Hatch Act violations. If you are not receiving it, contact the national office to provide your non-governmental email address.

Please feel free to provide feedback any time by emailing Greg Stanford at gstanford@fedmanagers.org, or by calling the National Office at (703) 683-8700. Thank you for your membership in FMA. It�s an honor to represent your interests before Congress and the administration.

On December 11, the Senate agreed by unanimous voice vote to a one-week extension of the Continuing Resolution (CR) that has funded Fiscal Year 2021 since October 1. The House of Representatives passed the extension on December 9, which allows for more time for negotiations on longer-term appropriations and a stimulus package in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Last week, FMA National President Craig Carter sent a letter to Congress urging passage of appropriations to fund the remainder of Fiscal Year 2021. Click here to read the full letter.

 

Adding insult to injury for federal employees, in November the Senate proposed an across the board pay freeze for 2021, and while President Trump proposed a 1 percent raise in his budget request, the administration now supports a pay freeze. However, the most likely scenario would still see feds receive a 1 percent pay raise in 2021. 

On Tuesday, December 8, The House of Representatives passed the 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference report by a vote of 335-78. The Senate approved it on December 11 by a similarly bipartisan vote of 84-13. 

The conference report includes many FMA priorities we supported throughout the legislative process. Of major significance, the bill allows federal workers to carry over additional leave into 2021 due to the exigencies of the Covid-19 pandemic, by raising the cap 25 percent. FMA has worked tirelessly with legislators to address this issue since May 2020.

Additionally, the compromise NDAA bill extends paid parental leave to feds who were initially inadvertently left out last year, including Title 38 and Title 49 employees. FMA supported the initial creation of paid parental leave, as well as the technical fix included in this year’s bill.

Last month we reported on the Executive Order (EO) President Trump issued, creating Schedule F in the Federal Government’s Excepted Service. FMA immediately voiced opposition to the action, which creates a new class of career “confidential, policy-determining, or policy-advocating” positions, unprotected by traditional due process. Click here to read the EO in full.

FMA immediately endorsed legislation in both the House and the Senate to nullify the EO, by preventing the executive order being implemented by blocking agencies from converting employees to or hiring any new Schedule F employees, as well as reinstating anyone fired because of this executive order, and granting them back pay.

In November, FMA joined 22 other good government organizations including the Partnership for Public Service, the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), the Senior Executives Association, and the Volcker Alliance on a letter to Congress expressing our deep concerns with the EO. 

The open season for health benefits, dental and vision insurance, and flexible spending accounts for the 2021 plan year ends on December 14, 2020. Barring a major life event next year, this is your last chance to make changes for you and your family.

The average enrollee share increase is 4.9 percent and the new health premiums go into effect next month.

On average, enrollees with Self Only coverage will pay $4.67 more per biweekly pay period than in 2020. Enrollees with Self Plus One coverage will pay $10.90 more per biweekly pay period, while those enrolled in Self and Family coverage will pay $10.94 more. To view the full sets of rate charts for FEHBP premiums in 2021, please click on these links:

Willing to share your own experiences with telework? We (and your fellow managers) would love to hear about what worked, your lessons learned, and any pitfalls to be wary of! 

Early March 2021 – dates to be announced soon!

While Covid-19 has foreclosed the possibility of an in-person convention, FMA will be hosting a fully virtual convention. Convention participants will conduct the association’s business, including electing national officers, as well as discussing FMA resolutions, and setting a course for the coming year. As always, we plan to offer great management training. We are retooling our networking events and Day on the Hill for this new setting, and expect it to be an exciting event.

Visit www.fedmanagers.org/Events for the latest information. We look forward to your participation!