FederalDaily - June 12, 2007
Employee Survey Shows Increased Satisfaction
A new Office of Personnel Management (OPM) federal work force survey shows that employees are generally
more satisfied with their benefits than they were when first surveyed in 2004. The survey was administered
last year to a random sample of 2,000 federal employees who were asked to fill out a 59-item questionnaire
regarding the government's 10 benefit programs, including its 401(k)-style TSP, health benefits and
retiree benefits. The 2006 survey, released June 8, showed that employees consistently rated the Thrift
Savings Plan (TSP), healthcare benefits and retirement benefits highest in importance and value. Life
insurance benefits were rated fifth highest. Additional programs that are not available to all employees—telework,
child care subsidies and health and wellness—received lower ratings for importance and value.
Respondents were more pleased with their benefits, seeing them as more valuable and more competitive
with the private sector than they did in 2004, said OPM Director Linda Springer. “This survey
reinforces the importance of providing quality benefits to employees to ensure the federal government
can continue to attract an effective civilian workforce,” Springer said. To see more, go to: www.opm.gov/news/opm-releases-results-of-2006-employee-benefits-survey,1184.aspx
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Senator Concerned Over NASA IG Probe
Sen. Charles Grassley, R-Iowa, last week registered concern over results of an investigation that
looked into allegations that NASA Inspector General (IG) Robert Cobb abused his authority by lunching,
drinking and golfing with top NASA officials—in spite of his role as the agency’s watchdog.
A report issued in the investigation—which was initiated by the President’s Council on
Integrity and Efficiency—concluded that the IG in fact had abused his authority, and that “he
had created at least the appearance of a lack of independence between the Office of Inspector General
and NASA management,” Grassley said. The senator said he has concluded from the report that NASA
is not receiving the scrutiny and review required for an agency with a $13 billion annual budget. Grassley
detailed his views in testimony he submitted to a Senate-House committee hearing to consider the investigation
of the IG. “It seems that Mr. Cobb may care more about protecting NASA from embarrassment than
he does about performing the critical functions of his office,” Grassley said. To see more, go
to: www.senate.gov/~finance/press/Gpress/2007/prg060707a.pdf
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NATCA Seeks NAS Expertise for Staffing Study
The National Air Traffic Controllers Association (NATCA) is asking Congress to task the National Academy
of Sciences (NAS) to conduct a study to estimate staffing needs for Federal Aviation Administration
(FAA) air traffic controllers. The labor union is seeking to have legislators include the provision
in the House FAA reauthorization bill now pending before Congress, said NATCA President Patrick Forrey
on June 8. A recent FAA analysis concluded in March that the agency needed between 9 percent to 26
percent fewer controllers than called for under previously agreed-upon staffing levels, according to
NATCA. However, Forrey said the analysis is simply part of FAA’s long-sought effort to adjust
staffing levels downward to meet budget goals. Until a NAS study is completed and implemented, FAA
should staff facilities based upon the 2002 authorized levels that both parties agreed to based on
traffic needs, Forrey said. To see more, go to: www.natca.org/mediacenter/press-release-detail.aspx?id=434
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