Furlough Thread

[Boghie]

Jim,

Why has the Federal Gubmint employment base grown so much? The DOD bloated it's civilian payroll by 14% since 2009 or so. You would think that automation would have made us all more productive - kinda like the private sector. Instead, gubmint Black Belt Business Process Improvementors think that e-signed Adobe forms are the shiznit.

Most of the DOD uses ancient and kluged COBOL based applications to handle personnel administration. And, DFAS kluges up some ancient Air Farce system from the 1960s and 70s to manage payroll. And, never shall the two meet. The Marine Corpse (and when the Corp does dumb and dumber I use Corpse) is a bit better, but is still lost in the sauce with Total Farce. If a private industry entity were as automated as we are they would be a memory now - a worthless stock certificate.

Why do we need three bubbas to plant a tree when one guy with a ditch witch could have done the job in 10% of the time. So 1930's

My guess is we are at the very beginning of a massive change. We will be dragged kicking and screaming into the 1980s.

 

[burrocrat]

i don't like furloughs and sequesters any more than the next guy or gal, it is a desperate measure for a desperate time. and it's truly unfortunate it was the best stopgap solution our leaders could come up with after two years squabbling.

but it is important to note that nobody but us fed employees seems to care. except for the deceptive media lackeys fearmongering to avoid the cuts a few months ago, as fars as the services- and benefit-receiving public is concerned it's no skin off their nose. the gov world keeps on turning and the fat gov employees still got a better deal than me. you will never get that crowd to squawk for not less for somebody else, they are only motivated by more for me.

don't get me wrong, i fully love and support my mission, i believe it to be essential to a stable and civilized society and do my part to keep gov useful, relevant, and profitable. but the reality is that many i serve could care less how overworked or underpaid i feel. and they won't shed a tear when my position is cut. and they will forever get theirs because it has always been so as long as they can remember.

to every complaining fed who is overstressed and overworked due to early retirements and not backfilling positions and no colas remember these two things: it's very possible the budget (and therefore the workload you service) could rapidly change such that you are once again overstaffed and in line for additional staffing cuts; and that about 25% of the public sector would love to have your job irregardless and would take it from you in a heartbeat.

where have all the good times gone? an obammy mammy does not care if you feel you can't perform your duties without locality pay uniform allowances transportation allowances a blackberry and a still generous health and retirement package. like water, an insolvent gov will find its lowest level. get used to it, it's the new normal.

 

[Warrenlm]

We're going down another THREE carrier battle groups to pay for...what? wealth transfers? Now that will have a ripple effect. But, that will please the boys and girls who don't appreciate their Nation and always have a reason not to serve.

nobody but us fed employees seems to care

Au contraire, the non-feds who used to get hours and pay to pick up trash, clean and mow are caring a LOT as their hours are cut.

 

[Boghie]

Warren,

The DOD is gaming the draconian cut thang...

Each furlough day is worth about $180 Million
The DOD is expected to spend over $610,000 Million.

Thus, each day saves the DOD an amazing 0.03% of its budget. The 22 days initially scheduled would have cost the DOD 0.65% of its budget. The 11 days would have been 0.325%. The six that have taken place will slash 0.18% of the budget.

I doubt that a 0.18% cut to anyone's spending could be considered draconian. And, if the Navy mothballed three carriers to cover their part of a 0.18% cut in spending than I would audit them. Now. The leadership wanted every dime they thought they were owed. They wanted us to squeal. Personally, I think we need new leadership if our current leadership cannot cut 0.18% from projected spending. We've been gamed and we should know we've been gamed. Not every dollar is sacred...

 

[Warrenlm]

With respect to carrier groups, I'm talking about new future year budget targets that are now circulating, not the temporary sequester (which btw is causing the "savings" which cut out contractor services provided by those minimum wage folks). At least the Indian Navy has launched a new carrier in their attempt to counter the Chinese. We're entering the DOD Bill Payer cycle.

 

[James48843]

The FBI is planning 10 agency wide furlough days in fiscal 2014 should sequestration continue as expected.

FBI Plans 10 Furlough Days for 2014 - Management - GovExec.com

 

[nnuut]

The FBI is planning 10 agency wide furlough days in fiscal 2014 should sequestration continue as expected.

FBI Plans 10 Furlough Days for 2014 - Management - GovExec.com

No problem for you James, you will still be a World Traveler on the tax payers money, Korea, japan, england, Germany we have pictures, life is good enjoy.

 

[James48843]

not looking good

My agency is dusting off the layoff notices to send out for next week. Still no word on when they going out but it is not looking good

 

[Buster]

Re: not looking good

My agency is dusting off the layoff notices to send out for next week. Still no word on when they going out but it is not looking good

Jim,

I don't want to go into anything political about who's at fault..but don't you find this ALL a little pathetic of the people in Washington?..and I mean ALL of them....

 

[jkenjohnson]

you forgot the punchline jim:

so the man says 'well, since elmer went and got himself a job as an arborist at a competitive wage in the private sector i guess we don't need you and leroy hanging around no more. and quit leaning on the taxpayer's shovel like that, it cost somebody good money and still has a useful life left, unlike you, you unproductive teatsucker.'

I'm curious. What do you do for the FED Governement if you don't mind me asking?

 

[burrocrat]

I'm curious. What do you do for the FED Governement if you don't mind me asking?

ever since elmer quit, me and leroy mostly just maintain the shovel inventory and polish our tools so we're ready in case the hiring freeze is lifted and they can afford to hire an arborist to tell us what else to do.

 

[Warrenlm]

Re: not looking good

My agency is dusting off the layoff notices to send out for next week. Still no word on when they going out but it is not looking good

How about a recap/list of the previous layoffs at fiscal year end caused by funding bill gaps that resulted in lost pay (versus paid vacation)? (Not sequester, not issues with particular agencies/departments). I forget.

 

[alevin]

Re: not looking good

How about a recap/list of the previous layoffs at fiscal year end caused by funding bill gaps that resulted in lost pay (versus paid vacation)? (Not sequester, not issues with particular agencies/departments). I forget.

I think that list just showed up in the other on-topic thread. Me, I'm already planning on time off, paid or unpaid, either one, supervisor is betting it'll be paid, I'm not so sure, but plan to appreciate the time off however, I'm ready for a break bigtime.

 

[nnuut]

Re: not looking good

I think that list just showed up in the other on-topic thread. Me, I'm already planning on time off, paid or unpaid, either one, supervisor is betting it'll be paid, I'm not so sure, but plan to appreciate the time off however, I'm ready for a break bigtime.

Your President has ferlowed [sp] you when he didn't have to, he had the money to pay you, but for political reason he did this to you because you are his BOYS and you couldn't do a damn thing to stop it, where is you're POS union?

 

[alevin]

Re: not looking good

Are you talking to me, nnuut? I don't recall voting for a single dim in the last elecshun.

 

[nnuut]

Re: not looking good

Are you talking to me, nnuut? I don't recall voting for a single dim in the last elecshun.

No no you are good I just wanted to assure government workers they will get paid, I love women republicans.

 

[alevin]

Re: not looking good

No no you are good I just wanted to assure government workers they will get paid, I love women republicans.

Did I say I was a female Repug? No, as I recall, nearly all my ticket was 3d party last goround,

 

[Sensei]

DoDDS teachers, last week, were advised that we are "excepted employees", meaning that we are to continue work as usual in the event of a gov't shutdown. We won't get paid for the work until the next budget is passed. But we will eventually get paid. That's better in my opinion than being flat out furloughed. I just hope it doesn't drag on for more than one pay period.

 

[Warrenlm]

Re: not looking good

I think that list just showed up in the other on-topic thread. Me, I'm already planning on time off, paid or unpaid, either one, supervisor is betting it'll be paid, I'm not so sure, but plan to appreciate the time off however, I'm ready for a break bigtime.

Thanks. I think the list confirmed the answer at zero. Perhaps James would become less breathless and slow the demagoguery if he realized it. Ya think he's interested?

 

[Weather]

Re: not looking good

I was officially notified of a potential fulrlough this morning. I'll be furloughed tomorrow AM if congress and the POTUS fail to do their job.