Federal Daily - January 30, 2009

USPS Tells Congress Cutbacks Are Necessary

The U.S. Postal Service (USPS) warned Congress that worsening economic conditions have led to a deteriorating balance sheet that requires immediate action. Postmaster General John Potter on Jan. 28 told a Senate subcommittee that two specific actions may be required to weather the economic storm—a reduction in the amount USPS is required to pay each year to fund its retiree health benefits, and a cutback in mail delivery from six to five days a week. By the end of September 2008, mail volume had fallen by more than 9 billion pieces compared to 2007. And, despite annual rate increases, Potter said 2009 could be the first year since 1946 that the actual amount of money collected by USPS declines. Potter testified that if the recession worsens, the Postal Service may have to cut a day off its weekly delivery schedule—a step Congress would have to authorize. Potter noted that USPS already has reached out to employees unions to find ways to stem the tide of red ink. “And the one that’s most prominent in terms of a success story,” Potter said, “is the agreement with the NALC [National Association of Letter Carriers] to expedite the adjustment to our city delivery routes, and cut down the time that it would take if we were to follow the normal handbook procedures.” To see more, go to: www.usps.com/communications/newsroom/testimony/2009/pr09_
pmg0128.htm?from=home_newsandannounce&page=PMG
SenateTestimony.

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VA IG Report Clears Staffer in E-mail Case

A Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General (IG) report concluded that an e-mail sent by a VA psychologist that appeared to discourage post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnoses did not result in fewer PTSD findings at that Texas VA facility. The IG report, released Jan. 28, looked at allegations regarding a March 20, 2008, e-mail written by a staff psychologist of the Central Texas VA Healthcare System (CTVAHCS) in Temple. The e-mail was interpreted by some as advocating that—for veterans being seen at CTVAHCS—the post-traumatic stress disorder clinical team should make a diagnosis of “adjustment disorder” over other psychiatric diagnoses, particularly PTSD. But the IG report concluded otherwise. “Our interviews of all e-mail recipients revealed no consistent perception that the e-mail suggested to them that inappropriate diagnoses should be rendered,” the report said. The report found that adjustment disorder diagnoses were made at a similar rate both before and after the e-mail message. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii, chairman of the Veterans Affairs Committee, said he was encouraged by the report. “I appreciate the IG’s investigation into this matter,” Akaka said. “It is fortunate that the actions of a single health professional did not result in an artificial decline in the number of veterans diagnosed with PTSD.” To see more, go to: http://akaka.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Press
Releases.Home&month=1&year=2009&release_id=2541 or www.va.gov/oig/54/reports/VAOIG-08-02089-59.pdf.

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USDA to Launch Pay-For-Performance Demo Project

The Agriculture Department (USDA) on Jan. 28 announced it would soon launch a five-year pay-for-performance demonstration project that will cover 2,900 Food Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) non-bargaining unit employees. The demo project, to be initiated in July, is meant to shore up gaps in the USDA workforce, including those among the ranks of public health veterinarians and scientists, according to an USDA notice posted in the Federal Register. “As the federal government’s workforce as a whole continues to experience significant changes,” the notice said, “FSIS has been confronted with several considerable challenges that are driving the need for this demonstration project. FSIS faces critical shortages in the number of positions.” Employees in the demonstration project will move from General Schedule (GS) into a series of six broad pay bands. Those rated “fully successful” or better during evaluations will receive performance-based pay increases and those at the top of their pay bands who are rated “outstanding” will be eligible for an increase of up to 5 percent from the maximum salary in the pay band, the notice said. In terms of funding the pay pools, money that would otherwise have been paid to demonstration project employees for the annual GS pay adjustment, within-grade increases, and quality step increases instead will be used to fund the pay pools, the notice said. To see more, go to: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-1641.pdf.

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