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Pay Raise? What Pay Raise? Why Some Will See a Decrease in Income in 2009

Dont Forget about the Compression w/LEAP

Special Agent
DOJ
Mon Nov 3, 2008 7:53 AM

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A 13/10 or 14/4 in San Francisco hits the CAP for 2009 if one considers the 25% Law Enforcement Availabilty Pay (additional pay for uncontrollable overtime). $153k a year in SFO means you cant afford a 500 sq ft studio in the city and will have a hard time affording a 1500 sq ft 3 BR home 2 hours away. RICH??? Not hardly!!!

Years of dedicated hard work should not be ignored by Salary limitations - Especially in HIGH COST areas.

Re: Dont Forget about the Compression w/LEAP

Revenue Agent position
IRS
Mon Nov 3, 2008 9:22 AM
I understand what you are saying. I am currently a grade 14 in a "rest of US" area, which is not topped out. I live in a 1,040 sq. ft 3-bedroom ranch that is about a one hour commute from my "one of few" grade 14 positions available in my area. My house sells for about $160,000 and is in a great school system. We made the decision to move to a "rest of US" area away from family and our comfort zone. I leave home at 6:30 in the morning and get home about 6:30 at night. I receive no 25% extra pay but I am not complaining. I still have it better than living in the larger metro area. Sure, there are things I miss. (like public transportation) But, nothing will ever change until people say, "I'm moving. I won't work for 149,000 in that area". Good people can always find another job. When no one applies for jobs in high cost areas it will make a difference. As long as you continue to work there, complaining means nothing. As long as the jobs are filled, why offer more money?

Re: Dont Forget about the Compression w/LEAP

Diversity Manager
DOL
Mon Nov 3, 2008 3:29 PM
Lets be honest based on their job skills and competitive environment no Fed is worth $100K. They should be happy in their work. As for CA the housing bubble has burst and is gone. A $1M house is now at $300K

Re: Dont Forget about the Compression w/LEAP

Diversity Manager
DOL
Mon Nov 3, 2008 5:15 PM
Then again, I should only speak for myself. Just cuz I'm not worth $100K doesn't mean there aren't other Feds who are worth it.

Re: Dont Forget about the Compression w/LEAP

Diversity Manager
DOL
Mon Nov 3, 2008 7:14 PM
if you can point them out feel free

Tsunami

HR Manager
HHS
Mon Nov 3, 2008 8:39 AM

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Thank you for this timely article on a very critical subject.
OPM - and even OMB - talk about the impending Retirement Tsunami, and this is just one reason why anyone at the Pay Cap would be crazy to stay and work for less. The Double Whammy is not just the earning value of the pay check, but the long term effect on the High 3. Most 15/9 and 15/10 employees have spent many years dedicated to public service - we are not in our positions just for the money, but when your retirement benefits may be reduced by $100,000 for sticking it out - that's just totally unfair and unacceptable.
Congress - wake up and eliminate this pay cap NOW.

Pay Cap

Supervisory HRS
DHS
Mon Nov 3, 2008 8:40 AM

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No doubt many rank and file employees will express no sympathy for managers capped at $153k and these managers are unlikely to bolt over a few thousand dollars. Howver, employees and their representatives should understand what an arbitrary cap does to morale. Managers who are being arbitrarily capped will feel less generous in dishing out cash awards and QSIs when they are paid at less than full value. That's a fact, Jack!

Re: Pay Cap

Worker
DoD
Mon Nov 3, 2008 4:10 PM
Being a manger and capped out is no different than us lowly workers under NSPS fighting over scraps. Welcome to the jungle....

Not all that rich ...

Manager
IRS
Mon Nov 3, 2008 8:40 AM

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I'm hit by the cap, but this is one of those thing not worth whinning (in public about). I'm sure Bill Gates lost hundreds of millions of dollars in the October stock market, but does anyone cry for him?

Pay Raise

EPS
EPA
Mon Nov 3, 2008 9:05 AM

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There is nothing new in the way things are done, as this process has always been the norm. We are facing rising prices - show me when we did not!
NO ONE in public service gets rich. We are dedicated bunch of folks who believe in what we do.

WG raise

Maintenance Wotker
SAVAHCS
Mon Nov 3, 2008 9:15 AM

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You have listed the raises for the GS grades. How much will the WG grades get?

Re: WG raise

Foreman
National Cemetery Administration
Mon Nov 3, 2008 3:59 PM
WG rates are put out annually on a schedule for your area based on a salary survey of similar jobs in your area. You should feel lucky if you get even half of what others are complaining about... We get ours later, make do with less and don't have to worry about ever making it to the pay cap... Aint life grand!!!

Sensationalism Over Cost of Living

Billy Shears
Apple
Mon Nov 3, 2008 9:17 AM

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We must remember that when health care premiums increase 6% against a backdrop of COLA increases of 3% [not including promotions and within-grade-increases], we are comparing apples with orangatangs.

Example: Employee makes $3000 per month and gets 3% COLA raise. $90. Employee pays $60 per month FEHB and FEHB increases 6%. $3.60. Employee still gets $86.40 increase not to mention within grade increase or promotion or both. No autographs please. I am still making calculations. So I am too busy.

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