Federal Trade Commission employees vote to unionize

Federal Trade Commission (FTC) employees voted overwhelmingly to form a union, joining the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). By a vote of 415 to 25, they clear the way for representation for more than 800 employees in Washington, D.C. and eight regional offices across the country. The FTC began the unionization process in 2023, raising concerns about access to telework, the potential politicization of the civil service and other issues. Together with the FTC, NTEU currently represents 36 agencies. NTEU President Doreen Greenwald called it a “historic day” for frontline workers who want a stronger voice in the workplace.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing federal volunteers to assist the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) in the wake of Hurricane Helene. Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas led the activation of the strike force. This force consists of approximately 7,800 volunteer federal employees. They can be called upon to assist with FEMA’s disaster response efforts for up to 45 days. More than 3,200 federal employees are already assisting Helene in the southeastern United States.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues to fail to meet staffing targets despite efforts to improve recruiting processes. In recent years, CBP has moved its job applications online, relaxed polygraph requirements and offered generous recruiting incentives. However, in a new report, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that CBP still lacks thousands of law enforcement officers. Staff reductions have outpaced hiring in several key areas, including Border Patrol agents and air interdiction officers. CBP told GAO it is taking steps to address long-standing employee retention and morale problems.
The next short-term funding plan will impact military readiness, training, contracting and modernization efforts. Army Secretary Christine Wormuth says the Army will have to delay about $8.2 billion in investments under the six-month resolution. The service would also have to postpone 23 new procurement programs worth $400 million. Meanwhile, the Department of the Air Force would have to delay funding for the flight hours program under the three-month CR. Funding for maintenance, repair and modernization of Air Force facilities would also be delayed.
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) hired 53,000 new workers in fiscal years 2021-2023, but more than 35% of those workers exceeded the 80-day deadline set by the Office of Personnel Management. Treasury’s Inspector General for Tax Administration states that security audits took longer than expected and aging IT systems led to some challenges. The IRS and Treasury are beginning to refresh their HR IT systems.
The United States Postal Service (USPS) will open approximately 400 sortation and delivery centers across the country in the coming years. But the USPS Office of Inspector General finds they are not meeting their goals. The IG’s office says facilities met, on average, only 3 of 17 metrics. USPS was close to achieving 8 of the 14 metrics it failed to achieve. The USPS OIG says missed targets involve letter carriers not meeting their performance goals. Sorting and delivery centers are large facilities that allow mail to be processed and delivered under one roof.
The Department of the Air Force is looking for its next chief technology officer (CTO). The CTO will provide guidance and oversight of the implementation and integration of information technology systems and tools across the service. Jay Bonci, who currently serves as CTO, will leave the federal government in early October. Bonci’s most notable recent achievement is the release of the department’s zero trust and identity, credentials and access management (ICAM) roadmaps. Applications can be submitted until October 10.
The General Services Administration (GSA) is adding a familiar face to its technology leadership team. Dovarius Peoples leaves the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for the General Services Administration, where he becomes deputy director of information technology. Peoples has served as CIO/G6 for the Army Corps since April 2019. Peoples’ first day at GSA is October 6. He replaces Beth Killoran, who left in May 2023 to become CIO of the Government Accountability Office. Before joining the Army Corps, Peoples also worked for Army Network Command, the Pentagon’s Joint Service Provider and the National Security Agency. In 2016-2018, he was also deputy CIO in the Office of Personnel Management.
The Army may have already found some good men and women, but now they’re looking for even better ones to learn software coding. The Army Software Factory accepts applications from the 10th group of trainees for the Software Factory program until October 31. The cohort may include Soldiers who have the knowledge, skills and behaviors of or a strong interest in software development and cloud engineering, as well as related fields of agile product management and user interface design. The Army says only active component officers, warrant officers and enlisted soldiers can apply.