GovernmentExecutive.com

A House committee on Thursday passed a budget resolution that includes a statement in support of pay parity for federal employees and military service members in 2009.

The House Budget Committee passed a fiscal 2009 budget blueprint that calls for an equal pay raise for federal employees and military members next year. The full House is expected to vote on the budget resolution next week.

The support for pay parity among lawmakers stands in contrast to the budget proposal President Bush sent to Congress in February, which included a 2.9 percent pay increase for civilian workers and a 3.4 percent pay boost for military personnel in 2009.

Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, pledged on Tuesday to lobby for a 3.9 percent pay increase for federal employees and military personnel next year.

In recent years, Congress consistently has ignored the president's recommendations and given both groups the same raise. The budget resolution's support for the concept of pay parity could indicate that both groups will receive equal pay adjustments in 2009.

"This language makes unequivocally clear that this Congress is committed to the principle of pay parity for federal employees," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md. "Federal civilian employees work side-by-side with members of the armed services to protect our nation and keep our government operating as one of the best in the world."

COMMENTS

• RATC i got mine the year I graduated from ATC is was a great ceremony 2 diplomas at the same time. I love the comments talking about private sector, I'll bet money on it that the vast majority of CS would be gone in a year, nobody will put up with the whinning and crying and the socialist mentality that govt work breeds dan m ketter Posted March 10, 2008 8:52 PM
• Civilian, perhaps I can understand your umbrage over the partisan sound of FedUp’s declaration, but then he only said “Hopefully”. The number of changes we have undergone since 2000, both as a nation and as a federal service do seem to indicate that this administration would prefer to deal with contractors they can pay off than we civilians that remind them of their duty and charges. As for “So no need to argue military vs. civilian. Pay is just a portion of the compensation package.” We are in total agreement. Once more I read several statements that our hourly wage doesn’t always equate to a 40 hour work week. Right or wrong doesn’t always matter when green-suiters supervise and/or the mission calls. Budgets don’t often allow for overtime and comp time just gets you more behind; and as stated elsewhere, NSPS changed much of what is right and what is wrong in the federal work place. I agree that while there doesn’t exist a line-item veto; however selective law enforcement, as this imperial presidency exerts, seems to feel that gap nicely. Tip off Posted March 10, 2008 3:51 PM
• I like to keep up with what is going on in this world. Esp. now with China looking down our world. Wilma V Ranger Posted March 10, 2008 2:03 PM