Upping the Pay Ante

The American Federation of Government Employees on Wednesday announced that it would lobby for a 4.4 percent pay increase for federal workers in 2009.

The union's proposal is much more generous than what President Bush requested in his fiscal 2009 budget request, which included a 2.9 percent pay increase for federal workers and a 3.4 percent pay boost for military personnel. AFGE noted that the president's proposal could "jeopardize the government's ability to recruit and retain quality talent."

Colleen Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union, pledged last week to lobby for a 3.9 percent pay increase for federal workers and military personnel.

Also last week, the House Budget Committee passed a resolution that includes a statement in support of pay parity for federal employees and military service members in 2009. Congressional support indicates that both groups could receive at least a 3.4 percent pay raise next year. --Brittany Ballenstedt