TOPICS
TOPICS
House panel approves 3.9 percent civilian pay raise
A House panel late Monday gave its approval to a bill that would give civilian federal employees a 2009 pay raise of 3.9 percent, a figure equal to the adjustment already authorized by the House for military service members.
The House Appropriations Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee approved the raise in its markup of a fiscal 2009 appropriations measure covering a variety of federal operations. The adjustment is 1 percent higher than the increase proposed by the Bush administration, which in February called for a 2.9 percent hike for civilian workers and a 3.4 percent pay boost for military personnel.
Approval of the raise follows calls by federal labor unions and the House Budget Committee for an equal pay raise for federal employees and military members next year.
Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., praised the measure for providing pay parity for military and civilian employees. "One of the most effective ways to recognize the important contributions of all our federal employees -- and also increase the attractiveness of a career in public service -- is through pay that reflects the value of the work and services they provide this nation and its citizens," he said.
A portion of the proposed 3.9 percent pay hike civilian workers would receive in 2009 would be allocated for locality pay; the rest would go toward an across-the-board increase.
The full committee is expected to consider the pay raise when it takes up the appropriations bill on June 24.
COMMENTS
- Please stop complaining. Some of you do not deserve a raise and are lucky to have a job! Frank Posted August 7, 2008 10:28 AM
- While I will definitely not carp about a 3.9% increase, I must say that thinking anyone but a rare few folks outside the beltway will actually see the 3.9% appears foolish in the extreme. Come; take a quick look at history with me. The 3.5% overall GS increase last year meant a 4.49% increase in Washington, Baltimore, northern Virginia, DC, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania and a hike to 20.89% locality pay. Those of us out in the “Rest of the US” saw significantly less. The fiscal geniuses inside the beltway are constantly complaining about the rising cost of living. Well, Sugar, ever since this increase was contemplated, their costs have been rising in anticipation. Like the military discovered, just talking about a raise sends the PX prices higher. I realize the current “official” level of inflation is not accurately depicted by the government index and y’all will truly appreciate the increase; but you’re throwing fuel on the fire in this vicious circle. The more the Feds at the puzzle palace make, the more life in the Big City will cost. I think they call that a self-fulfilling prophecy. With the number of NSPS pay pools centralized in DC, the intrinsically higher GS grades found within the Beltway, the higher locality pay, the percentage of SES located therein who are restricted to a mere 15% bonus system… I am curious as to how much of this total increase will be … geographically restricted. What overall percentage of this money is going to be anchored in the DC area? What will be the increase differences per capita of the insiders vs. outsiders? Once more, I’m not knocking the increase nor those who live inside the Beltway but… shoot, I’m HOPING that if they pass a 3.9% I MIGHT see enough money to be able to afford to cut my grass. It’s getting a bit high!! Tip off Posted June 25, 2008 1:49 PM
- In response to Jeremy,"What does this mean for those of us laboring under the NSPS BS?" It means that only 60% of the annual pay raise goes into your salary. The other 40% goes into the pay pool. However if you were at step 10 under GS, you are already at the top of your pay level. Under NSPS, policy is to not increase pay for those at the former GS Step 10 level but give award money as a one time bonus, (this will generate significant long term savings to the government). Under these circumstances only expect a base pay raise of about 2.34% (3.9% X .60), actually it will even be less because about 0.5% will be stripped away from the rest of the US" to give a higher percent boost to those in "high cost areas." If you study the NSPS legislation you will find many more accounting tricks to hold down aggregate civilian pay. Contrast this to military who will receive a 3.9% raise globally, and those in the "high cost areas" will receive an additional separate COLA. Paul Wittiger Posted June 24, 2008 10:17 PM
