View Full Version : Happy Furlough Day
Well this is the first of many!
I hope all my other DOD Civiy Brothers and Sister have planned and made adjustments for the furlough! Buckle down and hang tight.
And to our leadership, elected and appointed, FUCK YOU very much!
Well this is the first of many!
I hope all my other DOD Civiy Brothers and Sister have planned and made adjustments for the furlough! Buckle down and hang tight.
And to our leadership, elected and appointed, FUCK YOU very much!
Hang in there. I am happy my kids are grown so it does no hurt as much. They are already sending memos out for FY14 furloughs for us. Not making us want to work very hard knowing we are screwed for another year at least....
Well this is the first of many!
I hope all my other DOD Civiy Brothers and Sister have planned and made adjustments for the furlough! Buckle down and hang tight.
And to our leadership, elected and appointed, FUCK YOU very much!
I couldn't agree more. I don't have the "no money Mondays" however. I start later in the week with "fabulous furlough Fridays". I've had to pick up two part timers to make ends meet because of this. Delivering slop to the masses 24 hours or more a week (not bad money, but the hours suck), and I've been trying to book shows in my AO on some weekends (I play drums in a two-man band).
I sure wish I was an IRS agent right now. You should get a load of the positions that are opening up on USAJOBS. Now THAT is the place to be :mad: :boohoo
ETA: I have to add that we've been put on notice that RIF is a possibility as well. We have to update/adjust our resumes to reflect "other qualifications that could potentially be used to laterally transfer us within the region" along with copies of all performance appraisals. So not only are our hours being cut, but now we have to worry about our jobs in general. Good times.
Santo Tomas
07-08-2013, 06:05
Seems I remember how they said it was to be fair and even across the board. Now, DoD takes the brunt of the furlough while other agencies have reduced or no furlough days.
I wrote my congressman and asked him to tell me specifically what he was doing to eliminate the furlugh and how many personnel he was sending home. I also asked him how much of a pay cut he was taking.
Nothing but crickets.
Ret10Echo
07-08-2013, 06:36
Hang in there. I am happy my kids are grown so it does no hurt as much. They are already sending memos out for FY14 furloughs for us. Not making us want to work very hard knowing we are screwed for another year at least....
No raises, no bonuses...furloughs in store and repeated questions from the appropriators and OMB on "Rework that budget at 10, 20 and 30 percent reductions"... By-the-way... why is morale declining?
Yeah.. The Fed gravy-train continues to roll. Maybe I'll just fly to Africa and play a couple rounds of golf.
hang in there brothers..its going to get even more fucked up..
Us contractors are getting hit hard also..several of us are now in the winds..
Happy fuck you Monday
TrapperFrank
07-08-2013, 07:34
For those that do not know, the National Guard and Army Reserve have a portion of their workforce that is civilian. These are commonly referred to as MILTECHs. For the most part, they are active members of a Guard or Reserve unit, but work in a civilian capacity for either the Guard or Reserves. They are mostly responsible for aircraft, vehicle and weapons maintenance. In the Reserves, the lions share of the personnel actions are handled by MILTECs. These are hard working men and women that take pride in their job, and they don't get rich doing it either. Trust me when I say they will have to maintain the same standards and do the same amount of work with 20% less time to do it in. My hats are off to them. During my time in the National Guard and Army Reserve, MILTECHs saw to it that I got paid, fed and orders in a timely manner. My heartfelt thanks to the MILTECHs.
...as the furloughs continue, are the welfare checks to folks already driving $25,000 automobiles being placed on hold as well?
I am guessing 'not' but it doesn't hurt to ask. Maybe instead of suffering a furlough, there is more profit in simply NOT having a job...
...any thoughts?
I'm of the opinion that little short of a RIF/RIS with a 20%-33% reduction in personnel and spending across the bloated government trough will ever really mean much of anything.
Richard
Streck-Fu
07-08-2013, 10:20
I'm of the opinion that little short of a RIF/RIS with a 20%-33% reduction in personnel and spending across the bloated government trough will ever really mean much of anything.
Richard
The cuts in and of themselves don't amount to much. However, the specified places of cuts are designed to be as obvious and painful as possible....
Sorry, you want a tour of the White House during your summer vacation? Denied.
The President will address your concerns when he returns from his next $100M vacation.
Oldrotorhead
07-08-2013, 10:31
...as the furloughs continue, are the welfare checks to folks already driving $25,000 automobiles being placed on hold as well?
I am guessing 'not' but it doesn't hurt to ask. Maybe instead of suffering a furlough, there is more profit in simply NOT having a job...
...any thoughts?
You are joking right? Welfare and all the food programs plus Medicaid don't even get drug tested. I'm not getting a Gov pay check but with the exceptions of IRS and EPA I think you EARN your money. I.m imbarrised by my limp dick government.
Ret10Echo
07-08-2013, 11:04
I'm of the opinion that little short of a RIF/RIS with a 20%-33% reduction in personnel and spending across the bloated government trough will ever really mean much of anything.
Richard
Concur...
the reality being that there is at least that much fat out there to be cut.
Intent and outcomes depend upon your perception of "government" functions.
Is it meant to be "corporate" in nature where there is a business model and efficiencies are sought out intentionally to maximize ROI?
-OR-
Is it a pipeline for Congress to dump money into the economy, business and their home district...with any actual benefit being an afterthought (almost accicdental)
Also, given that the current Federal Executive Branch civilian employee numbers are somewhere around 2.7 Million (Office of Personnel Management numbers for 2011)... A 20% cut would put a whole lot of people in the category of unemployed. I don't think any administration wants to see unemployment numbers bump by up to 550,000.
"Here's another nice mess you've gotten (us) into,"
2018commo
07-08-2013, 17:41
I spent my first furlough day catching fish, could be much worse.
No raises, no bonuses...furloughs in store and repeated questions from the appropriators and OMB on "Rework that budget at 10, 20 and 30 percent reductions"... By-the-way... why is morale declining?
Yeah.. The Fed gravy-train continues to roll. Maybe I'll just fly to Africa and play a couple rounds of golf.
Today they about freaked out in DC in the HR section. I got a call and the girl was upset and said I could not take leave for the next 3 Fridays as I was scheduled for furlough. I told her to pound sand as my AL was approved in Jan 2013 way before this horse shit started. She got all flustered and said she would call back. She called back after 45 min. She said that she ran it up the CoC and they said they would allow this variation this time but not again. I told her I did not care and I have my other AL approved for the next 12 months so do not bother me again.
It is great having that automated DAte Time Stamped system.
Wonder if I will get any more calls. I love screwing up their neat little world.
I am truly sorry to see the "thanks" our men and women in uniform get from this... administration. But the money problems don't seem to stop them from giving billions in aid to our enemies. Tell me, what's wrong with this picture??!!!
I love screwing up their neat little world.
I like you a lot... I need to work with guys like you again, I work with sheep....
AL
Peregrino
07-09-2013, 17:59
Today they about freaked out in DC in the HR section. I got a call and the girl was upset and said I could not take leave for the next 3 Fridays as I was scheduled for furlough. I told her to pound sand as my AL was approved in Jan 2013 way before this horse shit started. She got all flustered and said she would call back. She called back after 45 min. She said that she ran it up the CoC and they said they would allow this variation this time but not again. I told her I did not care and I have my other AL approved for the next 12 months so do not bother me again.
It is great having that automated DAte Time Stamped system.
Wonder if I will get any more calls. I love screwing up their neat little world.
Poor bastard! You work for real bureaucrats. :p I was able to get clarification from our HR department that the schedule we wasted hours compiling amounts to a "recommendation" not a "requirement". The only "requirement" we have is 16 hours per pay period; nominally one day per week, 11 days/88 hours total. My supervisory responsibilities consist of managing my personnel so as to ensure mission is balanced against personal desires and the requirements are satisfied. I told my people if something comes up and they need to take a different furlough day than the one they are scheduled for, to coordinate it with me and we would attempt to accommodate them, mission dependent. As far as I'm concerned there's no sense in wasting SL or AL for a day off (once a week) when we have to take KE anyway.
Our leadership made a command decision that in order to "bring harmony and certainty" to our furlough situation, they have standardized Mondays and Fridays as mandatory furlough days and ATAAPs has been prepopulated with "your designated" furlough day (I am a "no Money Monday" as apposed to the "Free-day Friday guy). Any changes to that will need to be approved by the first GS-15 in the chain of command...this is 100% self-imposed horse shit.
I can say I am real close to giving up on government service, the first time since I was 18 years old.
The Reaper
07-09-2013, 20:09
Our leadership made a command decision that in order to "bring harmony and certainty" to our furlough situation, they have standardized Mondays and Fridays as mandatory furlough days and ATAAPs has been prepopulated with "your designated" furlough day (I am a "no Money Monday" as apposed to the "Free-day Friday guy). Any changes to that will need to be approved by the first GS-15 in the chain of command...this is 100% self-imposed horse shit.
I can say I am real close to giving up on government service, the first time since I was 18 years old.
I have to agree.
No raises, no bonuses for years, and morale in the crapper.
And now taker a 20% pay cut for the rest of the fiscal year, even though we were told the budget could have been fixed without this. The elected leadership wanted max pain.
We now we have achieved that, too.
I wonder how much in cuts the House and Senate are taking? Surely they could pass the same legislation on themselves?
Naaah. Let's take a $100,000,000 vacation on the taxpayers' dime, and let them know what we really think of them.
As non-government positions open up, I expect a mass exodus of the real talent and workers. The remainder will be even worse that they are now.
TR
Badger52
07-10-2013, 05:21
Used to know my colleague's RDOs. I'll have to re-rack & stack that for my "take a furlough victim to lunch" day. Several will be bailing within the next calendar year so they will consider this 'practice' - for many grades & situations, however, it's a killer in ways that the irresponsible imposers have never had to imagine.
Disclaimer: Now on permanent "furlough" eff 30 June after 42 & change, both careers. Man, did I do that at the right time.
...As non-government positions open up, I expect a mass exodus of the real talent and workers. The remainder will be even worse that they are now.
TR
Spot on as usual TR. A coworker and I are in the process of starting a small roofing company to make sure this crap doesn't happen to us again. It's not my preferred method, but it is a method. After 8 years of federal service I have to throw in the towel. I cannot afford to lose any more money with a newborn and a new home.
Poor bastard! You work for real bureaucrats. :p I was able to get clarification from our HR department that the schedule we wasted hours compiling amounts to a "recommendation" not a "requirement". The only "requirement" we have is 16 hours per pay period; nominally one day per week, 11 days/88 hours total. My supervisory responsibilities consist of managing my personnel so as to ensure mission is balanced against personal desires and the requirements are satisfied. I told my people if something comes up and they need to take a different furlough day than the one they are scheduled for, to coordinate it with me and we would attempt to accommodate them, mission dependent. As far as I'm concerned there's no sense in wasting SL or AL for a day off (once a week) when we have to take KE anyway.
They came down and said from this date to this date you will have these days off. No where did they articulate to us that we had any flexibility. They had managers either on a Thursday or Wednesday schedule. They first said we would not get days off as we had done our due diligence as an agency and were within the requirement from last years cutes we did in anticipation. Holder fucked us by taking millions without notice because BOP did not do any prep. So what has happened is they (DOJ) now is jumping through hoops and for a bunch of lawyers they sure do not know ow to write a policy. I try to schedule blocks each year for major things with family and friends so I can plan and get cheaper flights. Well my quirks and attention to detail has thrower them into a memo writing tail spin. Since we have been warned about next year I have already scheduled many blocks so when the official memo comes out and conflicts with their top down forced schedule I will win out again. Thisis so fun playing games with them. I have had all my people do as I have so they now can beniffit with this loophole. DOJ loses about 90+\- of the employee lawsuits. So I am workI g from a stronger point than if I was in DOD. I have to say DOD plans and articulates policy and directives better than my agency.
Just started my AL today. Sitting in a bar in Panama right know waiting on my connection to the final remote site..... BB and office phone is at the office on my desk and I feel so free right now. I kow it will be hard to getback on the plane in a few weeks. Shoot I have a pretty good bourbon fund on is trip as I am not getting 3 furlough days taken. From me.....:lifter
All good things must come to an end :D: Furlough days cut from 11 to 6 (http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/06/209525964/defense-workers-furlough-days-cut-from-11-to-6-days-ap-says) (NPR)
It's funny, a few other federal employees are now bitching that "they had stuff to do on those remaining days". Good grief.
All good things must come to an end :D: Furlough days cut from 11 to 6 (http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/08/06/209525964/defense-workers-furlough-days-cut-from-11-to-6-days-ap-says) (NPR)
It's funny, a few other federal employees are now bitching that "they had stuff to do on those remaining days". Good grief.
My hubby and his cohorts have talked to their commander, and he has approved compressed work weeks for them (not that they aren't working 10-12 hour days anyway) so that they can keep their one day off a week.
You can't imagine the projects that have gotten done around my house in the last 5 weeks! New patio, 2 decks completely redone, now he is working on a patio/ swing contraption that is part purgola/ part swing set to go around the fire pit. It will have 4 "porch swings" around it, with 2 egress locations. We are also going to put the bow of a pirate ship onto the deck attached to the pool.
I have him looking at a certain QPs pics on facebook all the time to get some good ideas for cool outdoor projects.
Badger52
08-07-2013, 11:17
We are also going to put the bow of a pirate ship onto the deck attached to the pool.Outstanding ma'am! We need more pirates. :D
Again, Happy F*** you....oops, I mean Furlough Day to all those affected. Any guesses/bets on how long this one will last?
afchic- Awesome hardscaping! I hope those projects are funded throughout the rest of the year :D
Ret10Echo
10-01-2013, 07:30
Again, Happy F*** you....oops, I mean Furlough Day to all those affected. Any guesses/bets on how long this one will last?
Fire Congress.
The Reaper
10-01-2013, 07:38
Where is the POTUS' budget?
When did the Dim controlled Senate last pass a budget, as required by law, ANNUALLY?
TR
Ret10Echo
10-01-2013, 08:03
Where is the POTUS' budget?
When did the Dim controlled Senate last pass a budget, as required by law, ANNUALLY?
TR
I didn't think there was a difference between the Senate and the POTUS any longer. Just a couple of wrinkled old sock puppets and talking heads.
The last "real" budget was in 2009 IIRC
Sadly, most will miss this point...but it solidifies that there is a widening rift between the American public and the politicians... Politicians who have pledged THEIR allegiance to a political party and NOT the American public.
I can not get my head around the concept of continuing to support a group that gets it WRONG 77% of the time. :mad:
Fire Congress
Fire Congress
I've been digging around the web and cannot find any mechanisms built into any state/federal codes, statutes, or laws for holding an "Emergency Election" to rid ourselves of this BS (congress). That being said, I haven't found anything against such a matter either. I'm not very keen on political structure, so is there anything we can do to force an early election? If so, is there a way to construct it in such a fashion where there is no time for mud-slinging, and we only have say, one public event per state/district where a "town hall" kind of meeting occurs with the candidates, and where people cast their votes for the best candidate to represent them? Gee, wouldn't that be nice. I do believe this is how voting was conducted in early America. Though not perfect, it was a start, and I believe we need such a new start.
Attached is an interesting read.
Where is the POTUS' budget?
When did the Dim controlled Senate last pass a budget, as required by law, ANNUALLY?
TR
Break one law so you don't have to break another. :D
If you pass a budget, it constrains you. Don't pass a budget, and you can spend all the people's money you want. Pass a budget, it's a law that you have a binding agreement with the people (how it's any different, we'll they'll figure a way to lie I'm sure) and you have to be a good steward.
Semantics I know. But it's Bush's fault anyway. ;)
I was going to post this in it's own thread but I thought this would be a good place for it.
http://twitchy.com/2013/10/01/world-war-ii-veterans-knock-down-police-barriers-to-attend-memorial-on-the-national-mall/
As part of the Honor Flight project, World War II veterans have been taken to Washington DC, cost free, to see the memorial erected in their honor on the National Mall.
Due to the government shutdown, National Park Service police put up barriers preventing access. According to Leo Shane III, White House and Veterans Affairs reporter for Stars and Stripes, the veterans knocked over those barriers.
Good for them, it's nice to see common sense in action. Sad that a lack of that sense is what caused the memorial to be closed in the first place.
Good thing I got my new ID card yesterday otherwise I wouldn't be able to do those darn mandatory CAC training.
ddoering
10-01-2013, 14:25
Fire Congress.
Isn't there supposed to be an "at" in there somewhere?
Javadrinker
10-01-2013, 15:09
Isn't there supposed to be an "at" in there somewhere?
I was thinking of the word "on" instead of at..I'd prefer to actually count the hits. Good thing we have all those hard working, intelligent, professional people working for the United States, its citizens being well represented, and our Constitution being upheld and defended.
Ret10Echo
10-01-2013, 15:47
I was thinking of the word "on" instead of at..I'd prefer to actually count the hits. Good thing we have all those hard working, intelligent, professional people working for the United States, its citizens being well represented, and our Constitution being upheld and defended.
IN - AT - ON - UPON- TOWARD-
FIRE CONGRESS
77% of the time....they get it wrong. 100% of the time, they suck.
Ditch the millionaires, the weasles, charlatans, liars, frauds and scam artists. They failed....they should be living in a cardboard box.
Fire Congress.
Ret10Echo
10-02-2013, 06:55
On day two of my Furlutdowniaitis, I got up....and went downstairs to look for a job....then I went and hung out at the drugstore... (FOGs will get that) :cool:
On day two of my Furlutdowniaitis, I got up....and went downstairs to look for a job....then I went and hung out at the drugstore... (FOGs will get that) :cool:
LOL
Short Round was feeling puny today so HH6 kept her homefrom school.
Still puny when HH6 got home from work so it was decided to run her up to the clinc where she's been going for 14 years - all under Tri-care.
Before she was seen HH6 was required to sign a waiver that if Tri-care didn't pay we would pay the whole bill.
I didn't see it so I'm wondering if it was caused by the shut down or the ACA.
Oh, the family is stopping by Wal-Mart on the way home to get some over the counter stuff.
Yes, my wife let's the German out every once in a while.
I filed for unemployment today! I don't really need it and feel those jackasses will do something before I get any welfare but at least I will help up the ante when the Oct unemployment numbers come out!
Tomorrow I plan to sign up for Obamacare, get me an Obama phone and EBT card to use at the strip bar! As soon as I can get a SNAP card I'm eating fu¢k!ng steak and lobster baby!
ZonieDiver
10-03-2013, 09:56
I went to a dive shop in Norfolk yesterday around 11 a.m. It is in a shopping center right next to Little Creek JEB. There is an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet next to it. It was being overrun with sailors. Since DFACs have civilian workers, are they closed?
The Reaper
10-03-2013, 10:13
I went to a dive shop in Norfolk yesterday around 11 a.m. It is in a shopping center right next to Little Creek JEB. There is an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet next to it. It was being overrun with sailors. Since DFACs have civilian workers, are they closed?
I don't know about the Navy, but most of the Army DFACs are run by contractors, under military supervision.
TR
ddoering
10-03-2013, 11:12
Or the only one with a morale compass......
Cake_14N
10-03-2013, 11:13
Completely awesome to see the spittle fly and feelings get hurt when the old guy actually screams that the Republicans are comitting "Jihad!!"
Watch it here, if you can, Video blocked at work for me:
Jihad on the House Floor (http://video.foxnews.com/v/2715804846001/democrat-accuses-republicans-of-jihad-against-obamacare/?playlist_id=2114913880001)
Completely awesome to see the spittle fly and feelings get hurt when the old guy actually screams that the Republicans are comitting "Jihad!!"
Watch it here, if you can, Video blocked at work for me:
Jihad on the House Floor (http://video.foxnews.com/v/2715804846001/democrat-accuses-republicans-of-jihad-against-obamacare/?playlist_id=2114913880001)
Oh, that's a good one. Republicans can go Jihadie but Jihadies can't.
Mark Levin made an interesting point on his show yesterday. If Obummercare had been fully implemented now, O would have shut it down. How's that for being able to hold the nation hostage?
Pat
http://www.defense.gov/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=120905
Just got notified to head back to work tomorrow.
Peregrino
10-06-2013, 17:49
Us too. I was actually looking forward to some more time off. I'm four days into painting all the trim on the house and probably have at least three more full days of work left. Now I'll have to figure out how to squeeze it in before the weather changes and I have to wait for spring. Just goes to show - never make plans while congress is in session.
2018commo
10-06-2013, 18:02
IMCOM is bringing us back too, no money to fix anything though...
ghp95134
10-07-2013, 00:08
I filed for unemployment today!
Our federal employee union suggested we all file for unemployment, but I didn't want to worry about my income taxes or making restitution if we get back pay [looks like a certainty now]. Thank God for my Army retirement! I've been treating the past week as OJT for my real retirement in three years.
It's kinda nice waking at 9am, taking my Three-Esses [Shyte-Shower-Shave] at 10am, going to Starbuck's .... watching the grass grow for an hour or so .... read a chapter or two..... take the Wife-Unit shopping .... having dinner ... going to bed. Then starting the cycle over again tomorrow.
I guess NASA will be on furlough for another week or so -- I'll have my Retirement SOP squared away by then.
--ghp