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Pay, Politics, and Practical Prognostication

Republican Congressman Denies Feds 3.5% 2004 Pay Raise

Management
USDA
Mon Nov 8, 2004 4:22 PM

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I love how the good ole Sentor from Oklahoma - where one can buy a huge home for under $150K wants to limit our pay raise to save a coule billion of dollars....I think Ernest J. Istook Jr., (R-OK) should vote to not get a raise this time. We all know that the House and Senate get their raises by not voting on the bill that contains the language providing their rather large increase. With all of the perks that come along with their positions; perhaps they can save even more than a few billion dollars by voting to not give themselves a raise.

Pay Raises

Legal Assistant
Justice Department
Tue Nov 9, 2004 7:32 AM

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Before considering what a great raise this might be, bear in mind that government pay scales are such that raises are given only every other year after 3 years of service and not every year. Long timers are often topped out and get no raise at all until retirement. The cost of living raise is all these people get and we all know that our living expenses recently have risen far in excess of any of the numbers you suggest in the upcoming CPI.

Re: Pay Raises

HR Specialist
DoD
Tue Nov 9, 2004 7:59 AM
You are "looking through a glass darkly." While it is true that within-grade increases are not given each year, the WIG is in addition to the regular raise that we get most years. In other words, you are getting two raises in some years, the WIG and the raise given by Congress and the President. Count your blessings instead of looking at the dark side!

Re: Pay Raises

Contracting Officer
EPA
Tue Nov 9, 2004 8:29 AM
Amen, HR Specialist. A lot of feds don't know how good they have it!

Re: Pay Raises

Transportation Specialist
USAF
Tue Nov 9, 2004 10:39 AM
I worked for private industry for over 18 years. I have now worked for the DoD for about 18 years. When I first went to work at a now shutdown company I started at a certain pay level and within a year I was at top pay level just like all the rest of the employees in that job skill.
With the DoD you can start at a GS-7 step 1 and do not reach top pay for 19 years. What private industry or company tells their employees or workers it will take you 19 years to learn your job to get to top pay unless you can get promoted and start all over again at the next grade level.
I count my blessings everyday and so do a lot of other employees. But don't think for a minute that there is not a dark side to any employment.

Re: Pay Raises

HR Specialist
IRS
Tue Nov 16, 2004 10:24 AM
This is my bottom line. I make a fairly decent amount of money (approx 3 to 4 X the amount of the average salary) and I don't have any kids. Therefore, I can afford to skip a payraise this year. I would be willing to forego a payraise if I thought it would help out the war, the retired, or our educational system. However, why should I give up my increased pay and the elected officials get to keep theirs. We should all be in this together.

Pay raises

QAr
DOD
Tue Nov 9, 2004 8:20 AM

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We need a pay raise! Lat year we were told that health insurance wouls only go up 10-12 percent. Mine went up 55 percent. This year OPM stated insurance would only go up 7-9 percent, I got my rate change yesterday, it went up 37 percent. The pay raise doen't help at all, we end up making less in the long run. Congress votes on their on pay raise, why not let us do that?

Pay Raises

Consumer Safety Inspector
FSIS
Tue Nov 9, 2004 8:56 AM

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It amazed me the HR Specialist, DoD and Contracting Officer, EPA so presumptuously assumed everyone receives a WIG. I have been topped out for 10 years and the only raise I receive is the one in January.

Re: Pay Raises

H.R. Asst.
ARS
Wed Nov 17, 2004 11:30 AM
Amen, I have been topped out at a step 10 for years, I service over 400 employees and I'm a good ole' GS 5. Don't think we all get raises, and there is not a chance that I could afford to live in this area on a GS-5's pay.

Pay raises

Supply Tech.
DOD
Tue Nov 9, 2004 9:10 AM

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If all the Sentors would take the "pork" out of some of their dumb bills we would save even a lot more money!

Pay Raises

Capabilities Analyst
Defense Logistics
Tue Nov 9, 2004 9:56 AM

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Just how many raises has the Congressman rejected. I don't make what he makes, but its for sure I have just as many responsibilities. Do you think maybe his perks need to be reviewed? I've worked for my Social Security quarters and now they have to be stolen back because I came in the government.

Ma'Asallamah

Program Managerr
DoD
Tue Nov 9, 2004 2:02 PM

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If you're not happy with how much money you make, get another job!
After all, this is America and nobody is making you stay! I have over thirty years service and can't remember when I met a federal employee who was overworked... except maybe some nurses in the VA

Re: Ma'Asallamah

Contracting Officer
USAF
Wed Nov 10, 2004 2:15 PM
Inta sharmutaa! Bis Allama'a yourself! You can always tell a smug, self-serving mngt type! Yeah, this is America, all right - guess what? Good jobs are few & far between & just because folks have a problem w/ low pay raises while you 'program' guys outsource everything in sight, shouldn't be a cause for sarcasm. Politicians of Istook's ilk deserve all the scorn they get.

Re: Ma'Asallamah

Program Managerr
DoD
Fri Nov 19, 2004 7:01 AM
WOW! Aren't we a bit touchy... AND uninformed! You don't have a clue what I do and certainly don't have enough information to judge me! I, on the other hand as a COR, have firsthand knowledge of what CO's do and it is is usually very little! Saba ul Kher to you!

Re: Ma'Asallamah

Procurement specialist
DoA
Fri Dec 17, 2004 11:29 AM
Try to find the job yourself outside government. Maybe you could, with some defense contractor to help in bidding for big money, if you can prove there is no conflict of interest. Other than defense contractor sectors may not want to talk to you despite your "management" experience.
Unfortunately for many, the government work makes them unemployable in the private sector, thus they have to accept whatever comes.
Total Comments: 32
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