Furlough Thread

[burrocrat]

furloughs would just mean i get 3 day weekends and temporarily have $500 less to throw into investments per month. bring em on

hope the surf is good if it happens

not so fast there hoali, sorry, but not everyone can have fridays or mondays off. there is a sixty percent chance your allotted reflection time will fall on a tue, wed, or thur. greater than 60% if you belong to a union and are not an old fish. sharks gotta eat too you know.

 

[Boghie]

furloughs would just mean i get 3 day weekends and temporarily have $500 less to throw into investments per month. bring em on

hope the surf is good if it happens

Sniper,

Furloughs are Forever. Not quite the same as "Diamonds are Forever". Not as many Bond Girls chasing us, eh

They will probably last till there is a 10% cut in the civilian work force. There ain't no money out there to pay us. There ain't no money out there to pay for the 700,000 gazillion children and the 70,000 dumber dumbies either. The gravy train cracked a wheel and the folks ponying up the casholla are probably tired of the act.

You would literally need to double the Federal revenue from income taxes to balance the gravy train on three wheels. Folks want a faster wagon with better moves and stuff. They are bored of watching our wagon being dragged around by a team of pigs squealing for a balanced approach. And, many of the dumber ones (see the 70,000 miss-educated goobers on the chopping block above) who are now the dreaded low information voters will conflate the tax increase on trillionaires with their silly little 2% Social Security increase. Hey man, I didn't vote for a tax increase on little dumb bunnies like me - I wanted to hammer Romney:embarrest:. But, man, what just hit me. Is it a hangover. Maybe I shouldn't trust those old white guys anymore. Dude...:toung:

 

[Kaufmanrider]

furloughs would just mean i get 3 day weekends and temporarily have $500 less to throw into investments per month. bring em on

hope the surf is good if it happens

I can't wait to retire and be done with this garbage. Take my federal entitlement , and my TSP, with me.

Jan 2014 looks better and better.

 

[Khotso]

furloughs would just mean i get 3 day weekends and temporarily have $500 less to throw into investments per month. bring em on

hope the surf is good if it happens

I like the way you think Sniper. As I see it, no matter how much I like my job, I always like my days off better. Plus the surf is always good ... even when it's not. You just gotta get in the water. Never had a bad day in the water.

 

[ILoveTDs]

furloughs would just mean i get 3 day weekends and temporarily have $500 less to throw into investments per month. bring em on

hope the surf is good if it happens

My agency is floting an un-official poll of wheather we want every Friday, or if we would perfer alternating Friday/Monday (e.g. 4 day weekend, 2 day weekend, 4 day week end, etc.)

 

[James48843]

Now THERE is an idea. I'd like 4-day weekends! If we're going to be poor, at least give us some consolidated time to get that second job starting a business going.

 

[CrabClaw]

Re: The Math Really Sucks

Nothing in regards to this from my agency. If it comes to pass I would try to flex the hours, work 2 - 11's and 1 - 10 per week and have 4 day weekends EVERY weekend.

 

[WorkFE]

My Boss and I spoke about furloughs. Which day off is irrelevant to me as long as it is always the same day. That way I know what days I'm available for my second job. errr. third job

 

[James48843]

Furloughs expected to be "in the hundreds of thousands".

White House: Sequestration Would Mean Hundreds of Thousands of Furloughs - Pay & Benefits - GovExec.com

 

[OBGibby]

My Boss and I spoke about furloughs. Which day off is irrelevant to me as long as it is always the same day. That way I know what days I'm available for my second job. errr. third job

I only want sunny and warm days. If I'm going to be off I might as well go to the club and play 18.

 

[James48843]

From FAA Administrator Michael Huerta tonight:

Sequestration Update from Michael Huerta
Michael Huerta

Monday, February 11, 2013 17:10

On March 1, the Budget Control Act of 2011 requires across the board, indiscriminate spending reductions, commonly referred to as “sequestration,” for Federal agencies. Without an agreement to avoid these budget cuts, the FAA will be forced to confront a budget reduction of approximately $627 million for this fiscal year.

Given the magnitude of this reduction, we cannot address this funding reduction by only reducing or eliminating non-operations critical functions. All cost reduction options are on the table, and we will take all reasonable measures to avoid proposing furloughs. However, given the magnitude of the shortfall we face, it is likely that significant federal employee furloughs and drastic reductions in services performed by contract personnel would be necessary.

If sequestration occurs on March 1, a majority of FAA's nearly 47,000 employees would need to be furloughed for approximately one day per pay period until the end of the fiscal year in September, with a maximum of two days per pay period. This number could be lower for any individual employee depending on specific staffing needs, operational requirements, and negotiated collective bargaining agreements. Any furloughs would occur only after appropriate employee notification and in accordance with applicable collective bargaining agreements.

Under current law, programs and projects funded under the Airport Improvement Program are exempt from sequestration and would continue to operate at current funding levels.

The furlough of a large number of air traffic controllers, technicians, and aviation safety employees would require a reduction in FAA services to levels that can be safely managed by remaining staff. Accordingly, we might see travel delays and disruptions during the critical summer travel season.

The furloughs would also impact airlines, aviation manufacturers and individual pilots who need FAA safety approvals and certifications. While the agency will continue to address identified safety risks, a slowed certification and approval process due to furloughs could negatively affect all segments of the aviation industry as well as those who travel by air. Long-term investments in advanced technologies and new tools may be postponed and the delivery of some critical NextGen systems could be delayed for years to come.

If the sequester happens, I know you share my commitment to ensure the safety of our national aviation system while minimizing the negative impact to those who rely on our services. Thank you again for all you do, every day on behalf of the American public. You are our most valuable asset. I can confidently offer that everyone who is a beneficiary of the services we provide hopes for a compromise that keeps us on the job – and keeps our aviation system moving forward.

Sincerely,

Michael

 

[burrocrat]

i still don't understand why furloughs are even being considered at this point. way back in august of 2011 there was an attempt to compromise on revenue and spending, but things didn't work out so everybody agreed to come up with a better plan later. and just in case they couldn't, they agreed to just raise and cut across the board. several attempts and only one increase in revenue later, still the best and brightest leaders can't reach an agreement on how to reduce how much more we borrow than we make.

that's just crazy. but not really surprising. of course high level department and agency heads have also had plenty of time to proactively minimize potential disruption to missions by prudently reducing expenses to spread the shortfall over a greater period of time, but here we all are standing around with our pants down.

basically, the elected folks didn't do their job. so now everybody gets to not do their job. fair is fair. only thing left to do is to argue about whose fault it is.

 

[Buster]

From FAA Administrator Michael Huerta tonight:
Properties on the ChartIf the sequester happens, I know you share my commitment to ensure the safety of our national aviation system while minimizing the negative impact to those who rely on our services. Thank you again for all you do, every day on behalf of the American public. You are our most valuable asset. I can confidently offer that everyone who is a beneficiary of the services we provide hopes for a compromise that keeps us on the job – and keeps our aviation system moving forward.

Sincerely,

Michael

What is he high on?..Is he smoking Crack??..


If you want the flying public to go on it's merry way, then it shouldn't be on the backs of the FAA'ers working part time..the real effort better come from the idiots in DC who will let this happen...Damn them SOBs!!!!!!

But like a couple of years ago, when these morons we call elected officials (BTW, who re-elected these A-holes anyway Jim?) They let the Airport taxes lapse for F&E funding and all airline revenue went to the wayside that the Government normally collected via ticket taxes..They laid off thousands and then 3 weeks later when they got there feces together, called everyone back to work and gave them back pay...and the laid off folks got 3 weeks of free vacation...

So if it comes to any furloughs (which I doubt will happen), you all will get back pay for your time off anyway, I've seen it happen several times in the past....so have fun..

 

[alevin]

The backpay was true for my agency the last go-round, but another agency (different department) land manager with somewhat similar mission and responsibilities-those folks didn't get the backpay. both agencies with offices in same small towns. left some tension and bad feelings between employees of the two agencies, normally friends and arms-length colleagues over that one. backpay or no depends on the agency and department, did last time at any rate.

 

[clester]

I thought most folks (tea partiers)on this site wanted to cut spending. Well, this will do it.

I went through several furlough threats and 1 under Reagan went down to the wire like this one but it didn't happen in the end. Hopefully this one won't either. Sorry for you guys being threatened with this. Got my fingers crossed.

 

[Weather]

The SOTU address tonight will set the tone for the March 1 sequester. I hope the an olive branch is extended to resolve the cuts. I fear it will be a finger pointing exercise.

 

[CrabClaw]

From USDA, looks like the same "Dear John" everyone else is getting:

USDA Employees,

As you are likely aware, the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 delayed until March 1, 2013 the across-the-board spending cuts (also known as “sequestration”) that face all Federal agencies. The Administration remains focused on working with Congress to reach agreement on a balanced deficit reduction plan that avoids these cuts. Should these cuts occur, they would be harmful not only to our agency, but to critical domestic and defense priorities across the government and across the country.

However, given that less than one month remains until these cuts would take effect and given that the delay enacted by Congress would give us less time in which to make the required cuts, our senior leadership team is engaged in extensive planning efforts to determine how we would deal with sequestration. I know many of you have questions, so I wanted to take this opportunity to provide some additional details.

In planning how to implement a possible sequestration, our guiding principle is to protect our ability to perform our mission on behalf of the American people. As public servants, this is our first and foremost responsibility.

To this end, we are carefully considering how to use the various tools at our disposal to reduce costs in order to mitigate as much as possible the disruption to our operations, our programs, and all of you.

In anticipation of a leaner budget environment, USDA has taken great strides in achieving savings and efficiencies through the Administrative Solutions Project, under the Blueprint for Stronger Service, the savings of which helps avoid the need for furloughs and reductions-in-force. The Department is pursuing cost reduction efforts in several areas such as implementing a “Shared First” acquisition policy to consolidate IT related acquisitions, consolidating cell phone contracts and land-lines, sourcing uniforms from the AbilityOne Strategic Alliance, and standardizing of bulk mail processes at the National Finance Center.

Related to these efforts, the Department has taken measures to reduce spending in travel, printing, supplies, and other expenditures. These actions and others have generated millions of dollars in efficiencies. By becoming more efficient, we have to date diminished the need for more severe actions that interfere with your life and the ability for USDA to deliver important services. We will continue to use any and all flexibilities we have to protect our core operations and mission.

However, our ability to do so will be limited by the rigid nature of the cuts imposed by Congress. As a result, we are closely examining contracts, grants, and other forms of expenditures across the Department to determine where we can reduce costs. In many cases, this could mean making cuts to vital programs or curtailing spending on contracts. We will also take steps, wherever possible, to cut operational or administrative costs in areas such as travel, training, facilities, and supplies.

We may also have to consider placing employees on temporary furlough, or taking other personnel actions, should sequestration occur. With respect to furloughs, should we have to pursue this unfortunate course of action, let me assure you that all affected employees will be provided at least 30 days’ notice prior to executing a furlough. USDA will ensure that employees who are contractually entitled to more than 30 days notice will receive the appropriate amount of notice as outlined within their respective contracts.

We will also continue to engage in discussions with employee unions as appropriate, to ensure that any furloughs are applied in a fair and appropriate manner. If you have questions on this issue, I would encourage you to go to the Office of Personnel Management website, which has helpful information and answers to frequently asked questions regarding furloughs (found at www.opm.gov/furlough, under the “administrative furlough” section).

You will receive follow-up information in the near term regarding our initial plans for implementation of sequestration, and how these plans will affect the day-to-day operations of our agency.

Thank you for your patience as we navigate these difficult issues, and for all that you do for our agency and the American people.

Sincerely,
Tom Vilsack

 

[Sensei]

DODEA: Teachers could face furloughs if defense cuts take effect - News - Stripes

(DODEA Director Marilee) Fitzgerald stated. “We will plan to furlough school-level personnel without risking a full-year of academic credit for our students.”...

...Federal Education Association President Michael Priser said DODEA officials were considering doubling up classrooms, among other possibilities.

So it sounds like my unit is planning to do something weird like furlough half the employees one day a week, and the other half another day. The half that are on the job cram two classes of students into one room - of course it won't be two of the same subject, and some teachers would end up "teaching" a subject they aren't qualified to teach. But the kiddies will get their credits.

IMO keeping the schools open defeats some of the cost cutting intended by the furlough. You might cut back on teacher salaries, but still have to pay for electricity, transportation, school lunch, and a slew of other services. If they do a furlough, it should be everyone off and all school operations shut down completely on that furlough day. That's the only way to get the intended value of the furlough.

I think I'm moving through the phases of furlough grief. I've gone through anger, denial, bargaining, acceptance, and now rest in a state of cynical apathy. Ugh.

 

[James48843]

You know, I've been thinking.....


If we all get furlough days, what are we going to do with them?

How about we all go down to the Congressman's office, and camp on their doorstep?

We could toss out some sleeping bags, set up camp, and tell them we have no where better to go than to sit on their doorstep and ask them when they expected to send us back to work.

Kind of an "Occupy the Local Congressman's office".



Could be fun, no?

 

[Frixxxx]

**********Reminder***************
If you are furloughed and are getting the non-pay status shaft, this will affect your TSP amount if you are using % of income rather than an exact amount.....Just a reminder. Go back to your cushy non-productive civil service job not-already-in-progress.



And yes, that means the matching % will be less too!