Re: Here's what I figure

Your sarcasm is noted. I agree that this is unfair given our sacrifices since Reagan.
Due to the economy now, nothing will be affected. People will not leave unless they are CSRS people eligible for retirement and have liitle chance for advancement. They could leave because their pension is a material part of their salary. Thus they could take another job and still be ahead vs. staying with the government.
However, when the economy recovers, the FERS people could look back and say why stay. There is more money
on the outside than in the government. Not everyone will think that, but enough will to cause problems.
I guess the politicians do not care about this.

Re: Here's what I figure

That average is pretty humorous, and emphasizes the fact that most all agencies are very top heavy, especially when it comes to Deputy Associate Chief Special Assistant Under Secretary types.

Re: Here's what I figure

WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR, CY 2011 raise.

We will probably be bought out as Carter did in fall of 1980 when he saw his numbers falling--he gave feds a 9.1% across-the-board pay raise.

Next fall we will do much better because the Dems will want to buy our votes in order to save some seats in Congress in the fall elections, 2010. The same will happen in the fall of 2012 when Obama needs to pay back the unions once again, and attempt to briing federal voters on board.

Remember, this is Chicago-style politics. Pay-for-Play.

Re: Here's what I figure

To fiscally,
Please do not forget George Bush and his rewards to his supporters.
Start with getting rid of federal employees so he can hire is favorite contractors.
Continue with Cheney's favorite company getting billions of dollars in contracts for the war in Iraq.
Obama's integrity is miles high compared with Bush and company.

Re: Here's what I figure

Re: (Assumption - we're all GS-15 step 10 employees, right?)

If we're all GS-15 step 10 employees, we all won't be getting any of these raise amounts because we're all pay-capped at $ 153,200 (Executive Level IV), which may go up, but not by nearly as much as the GS raise. Refer to report RL33245 (kept secret), January 2009 edition.

Re: Here's what I figure

You forget that Federal Employee health benefits will be taxed at 40% - so you won't get the extra meal out or be able to detail your vehicel. Best stop going out to eat at all, and put away for when your paycheck is zapped for 40% tax on health insurance.

Re: Another one?

So sue Fedsmith for polluting the internet!

EPA, now there's a prime example of waste, fraud. and abuse.

Re: Another one?

I work every day so that people like you can be healthier when you launch into the usual know-nothing attacks against our work.

Re: Another one?

Amazing complaining about a pay raise when CS attorneys make more than TWICE what practicing attorney on the outside make. This is 1 profession that is easily quantifiable with economic data. So if you think your so good try it on the outside. Guarantee you'll starve

Re: Another one?

Hi diversity manager-I mean military retiree,
Please substantiate your assertion.

Re: Another one?

hey EPA atty---guess what???
I WORK EVERYDAY, too---as a GS8 (after 17 yrs) helping this nations Veterans and their families----and by GOSH --I DESERVE a raise comparable to at LEAST what my govt insurance premium is going to be going up to!!!(AGAIN, as in every year!!! and it AIN'T only 2%!!!!!!!!!)

I pay union dues and by golly THEY better SET THIS egomaniac STRAIGHT in regards to the majority of GS workers (toiling along at 5,6,7s and scraping to make ends meet while EVERYTHING else keeps going up and up!!!) The unions put this man in office and THEY need to make him accountable to 'his' people!!!!!!

I'm pretty d*** sick and tired of the people who get on these forums and say 'I feel lucky to have a job so I can forgo a raise this year'---HEY, I'M NOT LUCKY---I worked to GET the job and am WORKING to KEEP IT----no one handed it to me!!!!!!!

Re: Another one?

To another voice,
I agree with you that we deserve a much better than 2% raise. However, tone it down with attorney. He only commented about annoyed citizen blaming the EPA.
Annoyed citizen appears to be joking about calling in the EPA.
To diversity manager-I mean military retiree,
As I said before, prove your stat. Attorneys on the outside make much more thanattornies in the government. Your cite dealt with all legal professionals not just attorneys. You are pollutting the site. Call the EPA.

Re: Sept 11?

Auditor, where have you been for the last thirty or forty years? Every president since I was a young man has cited "national emergency" as required by the pay law to limit federal pay raises.

Re: no pay increase

I have to agree... Although I live in a resort community where living expenses are high, I feel very fortunate to have a stable positon and to making what I am. Many in our area must work multiple jobs id they can find them to eek by, and many have left the area because they can't afford to live here on what service economy jobs pay. We all like to have more money to buy more material things, but we have to look at reality.Why should we get a raise when our own retirees are not gettting one, and when many people don't have a job at all.

Re: no pay increase

And seriously, I doubt you are a top performer. Your suggestion is so abstract as to have no practical implication regarding the economy. Its the sort of attitude displayed by people who are simply happy they are not working at the nearest 7-11.

Re: no pay increase

I agree. More money would be nice, especially since I'm nearing a retirement that will be based on my "high 3" average. But I guess I'm a "glass-half-full" type... I have it so much better than many. No, I'm not one of those employees making the "average federal pay." I'm pretty far below that, actually.
Maybe I'm easily satisfied, but I don't have to be wealthy to be happy. With more money, I could buy more things. But I make enough to meet my NEEDS, plus a little, and consider myself blessed. That said, if we weren't spending trillions on an overly ambitious budget to cover so many frivolous projects, we could afford a more generous increase. As it is, I'm more concerned about HOW MUCH MY TAXES WILL INCREASE next year than how little my pay will increase. Maybe I'll break even.

Re: no pay increase

I agree that it would not affect my lifestyle significantly to receive no pay raise this year. This is happening routinely with our civilian counterparts as well as discontinuing or reducing matching 401K benefits. We government employees are very fortunate in this down market period compared to our civilian counterparts to be able to retain our jobs. I, a former military man, would also suggest that the military pay raise could also be suspended for this year.

Re: no pay increase

Actually, I agree that we should be thankful for having a good, solid, well-paying job with great benefits.

What I would like to see is Congress stop giving themselves raises. As a matter of fact, I believe (other than the owner of a business) Congress is the only entity which can give themselves a raise. Considering how they no longer work for us, but we for them. . .I think WE should determine what their pay should be.

Well, I know this will never happen. . .greed is greed on both sides of the aisle. WHAT was I THINKING!?!

Re: no pay increase

I agree with you Special Agent. I am watching friends and family foreclose on their homes. I happy to have a job.

Re: no pay increase

If we had been getting the raises we were promised in the fat years, I would agree that we should sacrifice in the lean years. But the practice has been that when times are good, the raise is kept down because...well, there's always some reason. So now that times are bad, the raises are kept down, for other reasons.

Doesn't it taste just a little bitter to see the administration burn money right and left for the auto unions, and bailouts of whatever corporate entity comes begging, but those of us who do our little day to day jobs are asked to "sacrifice"? If the current emergency were being dealt with by the government saving money, then I could see federal employees taking a pay cut. But the current emergency is being dealt with by the government spending money. How does the administration's pay policy fit into that scenario - except as just another instance of trying to build political capital at our expense?

And if you are in CSRS, this impacts your retirement pay forever.

Re: no pay increase

I also agree. When it comes to money we are adequately compensated for what we do. Especially when I look around me during these hard times and see people breaking their backs for next to min wage and no benefits. Being a fed has its downside but adequate pay is not one of them. No pay increase would suit me fine if the saved money went to helping those that need it instead of being wasted in some way.

Re: no pay increase

Well, maybe the 2% increase is not so bad, but what about the insurance companies? Are increases for health care coverage going to stay as they are? Will they be reduced? They go up every year, so what will they be in 2010? Those of you who support the 2% pay increase may change your minds if you lose money because of insurance premium increases. I'll be waiting to hear you whining.

Re: no pay increase

I agree with Attorney IRS. Had we been compensated properly since the Reagan years, then we should sacrifice the pay raise this year. However, we have been underpaid by the government statistics. Therefore, we should get the pay raise we are due.
Just out of curiousity, how could George Bush have declared an emergency, yet give the tax cuts he gave?

Re: no pay increase

While I'm less than overjoyed at the prospect on no COLA for 2010, I accept that as a consequence of the economy's condition. I disagree with the intent to give federal employees a 2% raise increase in 2010 for the same reason. The government - especially in the higher management ranks should be leading by example. Isn't that what they get paid to do?

Re: no pay increase

Hello....didn't you hear that SS got a 5% loan last year? While we got a much smaller one? This year they are getting zilch....why should the active Federal worker suffer for that again? Sheesh! I am a GS 5...single mother and I guarantee you that I am far from being rich! So don't try that crap with people in the lower GS ranks about giving up our raises....however, if those in Management and the higher GS or Merit Pay ranks want to do that...then I would love to take a donation!

Re: no pay increase

To retired manager USPS,
I notice the retired part. If you were a fed worker, you might have room to talk(I am not abridging your freedom of sppech rights.) However, you are not affected by the 2% raise.
Last year you got a 5.8% raise. This year you got 0. This is based on law and statistics.
Last year we got 3.9%. This year we get 2%. This is based on law, but not statistics. It is the right of the president to limit our raise. That does not make it right.
No we should not lead by example as far as pay raises are concerned. We also have to pay bills.
Do not single out upper managenment (I am not any management). They also have to pay bills and, presumably, earned the right to be in upper management.

Re: no pay increase

I agree with Older Fed. Congress doesn't get to vote themselves a raise if we only get 2%. In fact, they should never get to vote THEMSELVES a raise. Esp with the deficit and their pork barrel spending. These two criteria ought to stop any of their raises and get them fired for malfeasance.

Re: no pay increase

Guess I am in a minority then because I don't agree. Pay cuts need to stop at the top, i.e. congress, etc as they get richer and everyone else gets poorer. I don't even make $60,000 like you all apparently do so would not be a hardship for you as you could live like us normal people do. Not all of us are in the Good Ole Boys Nework or able to get ahead even with degrees.

Re: no pay increase

I'm OK with forgoing the 2% increase - if, and only if, Congress does NOT spend that money somewhere else. But what are the chances of that happening? If Congress is going to spend the money anyway, shouldn't we get it?

Re: no pay increase

How about we make substantial changes in how we give raises.

No raises or bonuses for the SES group.
GS-15 and 14 gets 1/2 of 1% raise.
GS- 9 through 13 gets 1% raise.
GS-1 through 8 gets 3% raise.

All get the locality pay adjustment equal to the Labor board recommendations (this should cover the increase in premiums).

NSPS has been a nightmare with a $500/year raise (3 rating 1 share). I will be glad when I revert back to a GS-14 step 5.

Re: no pay increase

I will tell you why we should, because anyone making below a GS-8 has a hard time living as it is! I know how much you make, so you can't afford to talk at all! I am a GS-12 and it wouldn't make a differnce, but people who make less, it does make a HUGE difference especially if they are single parents. So engage brain before mouth next time!

Re: 2%

Interested Party,
So why are you not a contractor? I always find contractor envy to be so funny. Especially since so many contractors are fighting to be Feds.

Re: Make me average!

Amen, I agree with that. I too, am making only half of what they call the "average federal salary".