1.4 Percent Civilian Pay Adjustment Survives Senate Committee; Advances to Full Senate

(National Federation of Federal Employees)

Despite repeated attempts by certain members of Congress to freeze federal pay, the Senate Appropriations Committee last week upheld the 1.4 percent pay adjustment for civilian federal employees by approving the Fiscal Year 2011 Financial Services and General Government spending bill.

Originally introduced as part of President Obama’s budget request, the 1.4% civilian pay adjustment has received a great deal of action during its six months on Capitol Hill. On two separate occasions, certain members of Congress attempted to freeze federal pay at current levels for an indefinite period of time. On another occasion, one lawmaker tried to cap the size of the federal work at current levels, in addition to freezing federal salaries.

In spite of these politically-driven attacks, federal unions have fought hard to maintain federal workers’ modest 2011 adjustment.

“It’s been a big fight for us on Capitol Hill these past few months,” said NFFE Legislative Director Randy Erwin. “With the campaign season in full swing, and criticism of government scoring political points, some in Congress are aggressively looking to cut federal workers’ pay.  But federal employees already make 26 percent less than those who do the same jobs in the private sector.  We’re here to make sure members of Congress remember that.  Widening this pay gap further would be unfair to employees and dangerous to the functioning of federal agencies.”

The spending bill will now be considered by the full Senate. NFFE will keep you up to date as the legislation moves through Congress.