We already made our sacrifices in the 80's 90's and 00's. others got much larger pay raises during that time. Therefore, we should get parity with the military.
Re: Pay Parity
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERAN NONE Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:49 PM
didnt our legeslators just give there selves a raise??? they dont work a full year and i think they make around $ 200,00 a year. i make $ 21,000 a year and i have a family, let them see if they can live makeing that amount every year. give the back-bone of this country the largest raise of 3.4% so we can reap the benefits of makeing more money, spending a few trillion dollars is ok, but giving the little guy a break dosent count. go-figure
respectfully
a disabled veteran
Wonder if many folks will catch this ...
o2B XFED irs Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:58 AM
I would love to retire but retiring into a negative 3% hole does not make much sense. I will be sticking it out for the retiree cost of living index (CPI-W) to get back to ground level.
I need all that I can get!
Supervisory IT Specialist DoN Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:07 AM
With NSPS I need to push for all the salary increase I can get. Our command split our "raise" between salary increase and 1 time bonus. The bonus doesn't count toward retirement since its not base salary.
Federal Employee Benefits Bill (HR 2990) Including
Loan Officer SBA Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:11 AM
I was reading the Bill, will this Bill let me buy back my temp time? The way it reads, it appears to to say that.
Here is the exact language
Loan Officer SBA Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:12 AM
SEC. 203. COMPUTATION OF CERTAIN ANNUITIES BASED ON PART-TIME SERVICE.
(a) In General- Section 8339(p) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(3) In the administration of paragraph (1)--
`(A) subparagraph (A) of such paragraph shall apply with respect to service performed before, on, or after April 7, 1986; and
`(B) subparagraph (B) of such paragraph--
`(i) shall apply with respect to that portion of any annuity which is attributable to service performed on or after April 7, 1986; and
`(ii) shall not apply with respect to that portion of any annuity which is attributable to service performed before April 7, 1986.'.
(b) Applicability- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall be effective with respect to any annuity, entitlement to which is based on a separation from service occurring on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
Civilian Pay Raise Cap
Program Analyst Department of the Navy Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:12 AM
Many lower grade civilian employees would benefit from a 3.4 percent pay increase. Congress should put a cap on pay raises for this year as follows;
GS01 to GS08- 3.4 percent
GS09 to GS 10- 2.7 percent
GS 11 to GS 12- 1.7 percent
GS 13 and above 0 percent-
unfortunately the federal government currently has too many high pay employees that do not earn their pay. It is hard to agree to pay these individuals more money since all they are doing is damaging the system and creating clones of themselves before they retire.
Re: Civilian Pay Raise Cap
WORKER US GOVT Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:58 AM
I would be willing to bet your grade is less than GS-13.
But what about those of us who are not paid by the GS program? How would any raise be determined??
Re: Civilian Pay Raise Cap
Frustrated Fed United States Marshals Service Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:50 AM
You are absolutely right!! I worked as a GS-9 for many years in the U.S. Marshals Service, doing two highly stressful jobs at once. I watched as GS-12s, 13s and 14s sat around every day and didn't have anything to do except plan their lunch hour(s). The government is just throwing money down a deep dark hole with these managers! If they had to work for a living, they'd starve!!
Re: Civilian Pay Raise Cap
Attorney SSA Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:30 PM
Hey I'm one of those GS-12s and I don't sit around doing nothing. I work hard, long hours and I deserve the same pay raise as everyone else. I'm getting sick and tired of people lumping together GS12s-GS14. I work hard, spent all my savings, took loans to get an education and secure a job. Now you want me to take make less because I make more than you. What did you invest in your career and future? Why should I have to suffer because YOU CHOSE not to make that investment. Enough with these generalizations and assumptions.
Re: Civilian Pay Raise Cap
Wkr Navy Wed Jul 1, 2009 5:53 AM
Atty, I agree with you. There seems to be this sickening class warfare going on--the war between haves and have nots. It's not my fault there are employees paid less than me. Does that make me any less deserving than them? I worked hard to get what I have and will keep on working to get more. I thought that was what this country was all about.
Re: Civilian Pay Raise Cap
Supv Accountant Fed Agency in DC Wed Jul 1, 2009 2:47 PM
This is absurd! I am a GS-15 and I worked my butt off to get here. I started as a GS-13 two years ago and was a high perfromer, earning quick promotions. I proved to the Senior Executives that I add value and was rewarded for my hard work. I continue to work hard, so I deserve a raise just as much as anyone else!
Sacrificing the 2010 pay raise?
Human Resource Specialist Dept of Treasury Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:24 AM
Why should we when Congress won't make any sacrifices. Didn't they accept a very nice pay raise this year? Didn't they increase their office budgets this year? Sounds like the standard 'don't do as I do, do as I say' attitude.
Pay Raise
Supervisor FSA Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:34 AM
The military deserves the higher raise. It's very arrogant for us as civilian employees to say we're making the same sacrifices as the military. That's garbage.
Re: Pay Raise
Intel Specialist US Army Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:39 AM
Speak for your self. I've had two deployments and may be subject for a third. As a Gov't Civilian, we do not get the tax break while in a combat zone as do the military and contractors.
Guilt Mongers
Fed Peasant DOD Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:38 AM
There seems to be this tireless, endless, effort to make federal workers feel guilty about their pay raises, however small. Will we see the same headlines if under pay for performance, certain employees get a dreamy 6, 8, or 10 percent pay raise? So much for motivating workers!! By the way....WHERE IS MY STOCK OPTIONS??
Re: Guilt Mongers
hr manager dod agency Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:58 AM
Yeah, "where is they?" (sic)
Perhaps the government ownership of GM and Chrysler will pay you a dividend. Or, perhaps, a raise of 3.4% next year while unemployment is at 10% or more should be considered a stock option.
We have sacrificed when the Rest of USA did not.
AFGE UNION LOCAL VP SSA and AFGE Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:58 AM
One has to remember that in the Clinton Administration, we had our contribution rate to our retirement systems increased 2-3 years when our funds were solvent to fund tax decreases for the rest of USA. Also FEHB is costly with poor coverage so that private insurances companies can make big bucks off of Uncle Sam and provide less and less in return.
Giving feds the pay increase helps soothe a bit the fact that fed executive branch unions cannot negotiate for pay, health insurance and pensions like the rest of the public sector in the USA.
Almost there was a year under Reagan that we got zero increase so that with FEHB increases, we ended up with a pay cut-- and the economy was NOT in a bad recession.
Why Should We Sacrifice?
Logistics Management Specialist DoD Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:59 AM
Why should we sacrifice a pay increase when we are going to dole out all our pay in taxes when this administration gets through with all the proposals they want to push through. With Cap and Tax (Trade) we will be lucky to have anything left over to buy a candy bar. Wait until the nationalized health care and VAT come into play. We will be working just to pay taxes and to support those that aren't working.
Feds Just Don't Get It!
Financial Analyst/Budget Analyst USAF Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:27 AM
Federal employees just don't understand the state of this economy nor do they feel the pain of unemployment, lack of any health insurance, vacation or other benefits. Feds are too isolated from the real world of no jobs or pay. Unions are now dead in the US after destroying the auto industry. Let's put a couple of million of them on the street so they will understand the hurt the average taxpayer is feeling today. Zero percent pay increase should be acceptable to them rather than no job. Who do they think is paying this massive debt they are running up?
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
fed worker ssa Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:16 PM
Speak for yourself. My husband was laid off jan 2008 and is still looking for a decent job. Not only do I understand the state of this economy, my family is living it.
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
Fed Peasant DOD Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:18 PM
You make me feel SSOOOO guilty!!!
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
analyst hhs Wed Jul 1, 2009 5:16 AM
Why is it that when people talk about paying taxes, they don't recognize that Federal employees are taxpayers too?? I pay taxes just like everyone else, and my bills go up too. Why shouldn't I get an increase? FEHB goes up 13% and my pay goes up 2%-what a deal!
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
H.R. Specialist VA Wed Jul 1, 2009 7:29 AM
I've been a "FED" for almost 20 years, working up from a clerk job the hard way. Long hours, etc, like others have pointed out. "FEDs" feed families too, and in many cases are taking on extra burdens for relatives who are losing jobs in the private sector.
We DO "get it". And then some. I've been keeping track the past year, and everything I pay for has gone up a lot. Electric bill? 11% City sewer tax? 38% Chimney cleaning? 20% (not that I blame the guy - he needs to make a living too).
It was hard to read the "lead in" for this article, saying that since we might get over 3% raise, we won't be making a sacrifice. Get real.
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
hr specialist dod agency Wed Jul 1, 2009 7:58 AM
While the HR specialist from the VA tells everyone to "get real" because he or she is feeling the pain of higher prices and that a raise of "only" 3% or so is not a sacrifice, most of us in the federal environment need to take a step back. With unemployment at about 10%, lay-offs and furloughs in the private sector being commonplace, wage cuts and factory closings an everyday occurrence, one would think from reading the comment that these folks did not have the same increase in expenses--without a paycheck--let alone "only" a raise of 3% or so.
We need to remember that the only reason we get a check is because of the wealth created in the private sector. The government does many important things but, ultimately, the only way we get paid is by having an economy with a private sector that can pay the taxes to support our pay, benefits and agency expenses. We do pay taxes--but our taxes our paid from money collected from private individuals and companies. Moreover, our pay and benefits are already at twice the national average for the American family.
Please temper your whining. The world (and the private sector) does not owe us a living.
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
manager IRS Wed Jul 1, 2009 6:22 PM
I have worked my way up in the many years I have been with the government. I have worked very hard for what I have and will have when I retire. I am grateful for the job I still have and and of course, would love an increase next year, but recognizing what is going on in our economy, I would take a zero increase in pay for 2010.
Congress Pay
Numbers Guru Veterans Administration Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:17 PM
I'm not certain, but I believe our legislators have not taken to the smaller raise concept. After all, they are very important people, unlike us "regular" government drones.
They already get free healthcare from us; seems like that alone is worth a smaller raise. I wish I didn't have to pay for mine, especially since my salary is not even close to theirs! And I have 20 years in government service!
California has the same problem; the state is broke, but the Legislators are still getting their raises. When A. ordered State employees to take work less hours, it did not apply to our Legislators, which is just unbelieveable since THEY created the mess over the years!!
Fed Pay Raise
Analyst SSA Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:28 PM
I can't help but respond to the negative comments about Federal employees. When private industry messes up, as they have during the past 8 years or so, they look to the Federal government--and yes, Federal employees--to bail them out. Who do you think is doing all of the grunt work to keep your benefits coming, to bail out the auto companies and the banks and the brokerage firms? It is me and my co-workers who show up day after day, take all of the insults from the public, the media, etc., do the work of 2 people, put up with bureaucratic requirements... And we actually care about the jobs that we do and the public that we serve. We are real people with children to support and bills to pay--just like you. Many of us have worked for the Federal government for a number of years (35 for me) when it was not cool to work for the government. We had average salaries and eroding benefits. No stock options, no fancy offices, we eat lunch in a cafeteria. Please give us a break!
2010 pay raise
Clerk SSA Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:33 PM
I think everyone needs need a COLA. Just get rid of the performance awards and stop promoting people who have been in their jobs less than 5 years. Tech jobs should require a minimum of 5 years in grade before promotion. Look at all the money we lose training them if they leave the job shortly after they are trained.
I am sure I will make more friends with this post.
We at SSA throw around too much money.
Re: 2010 pay raise
Attorney SSA Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:20 AM
I disagree clerk. That's one of the problems at SSA not enough training, no quality control and NO MANAGEMENT. I do agree that SSA wastes a lot of money but your statement that too much is being spent on training is one of the main reasons SSA wastes money. I cannot tell you how many times I have seen problems after problems make their way through the system-no one corrects the problems, they keep letting them traverse their way through the process and hey, the unfortunate reality is this costs money. When a manager tells you "just ignore it" and move on, that tells me the manager has no idea how to correct or fix the problem or they just don't care and that, my friend, is the SSA standard. Do you see awards at SSA being handed out for quality - NEVER
Re: 2010 pay raise
Supervisor DOA Wed Jul 1, 2009 8:45 PM
Clerk - putting an arbitrary 5 year waiting period for a promotion will not fix anything. If anything it will discourage high performers from sticking around, those that leave will need to be replaced.
Your proposal will make the problem worse than it already is.
Pay Parity & NSPS
Human Resources Specialist Air Force Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:15 PM
Perhaps by the time our 2010 raise is worked out, the NSPS review will have been completed and NSPS will be a bad memory. Then those of us under NSPS will get true pay parity. I'm not holding my breath though.
Raises?
Management Assistant U.S. Army Pacific G-8 Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:19 PM
It would help since the State of Hawaii has raised Property Taxes, Vehicle Taxes, Electric and Gas also has risen tremendously . . .
Higher Grade Pays for Lower Grade?
Sick of the Bull Retired Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:04 PM
Ref Program Analyst Navy suggesting that the higher grade get nothing to subsidize the lower grades. This is not a welfare state with no middle class yet. Those at the higher grades pushed themselves to go to college and have student loans most likely. Too bad for the lower grades. Stop killing the middle class in this country. And by the way..I'll be looking for my retiree COLA too the whole thing. I earned it.
zero cola for 2010
retired dol/oig Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:50 PM
let's see, my real estate taxes are going to be increased since house assessments are down, energy and food prices still defy gravity, my auto ins and house are going up. Our health ins is a given that it will also go up. So tell me, just what has gone down for us?
I don't see anything encouraging with the economy, but what the hey, let the retirees and social security recipients take the hit.
Sacrifice now
Chief Supervisor U.S. Customs and Border Protection Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:24 PM
I for one am willing to make the sacrifice of only having a 2% raise for next year for the good of the country. But to be fair, the military could make the same sacrifice. Time are hard all over. I would hope that if times improve, President Obama would make up for this sacrifice. We could of course also compromise, say a 2.5% raise for civilians and military.
COLA and Government Pension Offset
Retiree USPS Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:04 PM
It is not bad enough that federal retirees are hit with the GPO. This will only make it worse without a COLA. The bill to eliminate the GPO has never been approved and now this. I guess this is their way of saying THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE for the last 30 years.
Potential Pay Raise
Revenue Agent IRS Wed Jul 1, 2009 7:39 AM
While I am not complaining about my job and its benefits, it is nice to finally get some pay parity. It is easy to ridicule our benefits package and to forget some true inequities:
-There is no Christmas bonus;
-There is no profit sharing;
-There are no stock options.
It wasn't that long ago that even the janitor at Microsoft became a millionaire thanks to stock options.
federal pay raise
Contract specialist DCMA Wed Jul 1, 2009 8:29 AM
This will sound strange to some--but I would be willing to give up a pay raise in the coming year if they could bring health care costs under control. Fortunately, both my husband and I work so I realize we are in a better financial position than many, many people. But, the cost for our FEHB health care plan increased by a bit over 39% in 2009 and that's just obscene. If we get no raise, or little raise and our health care costs continue to rise as they have in the past, the Government might just as well stick their hands in our wallets or bank accounts and take it all!!
Stop the sacrificial lamb feds and retirees
Sick of the Bull Retired Wed Jul 1, 2009 9:02 AM
Stop making scapegoats of feds when Obama has choosen to spend this country into bankrupcy. Prices are escalating. And for you do gooders who work for the feds and are wanting to share of your money (spread the wealth to those who do not work) in this miserable economy--wake up. Fed employment has taken its hits over the years while in the 80 and 90's others were making triple salaries with the bonuses (bravo to the poster on this one). What are you folks smoking that you want to sacrifice for mistakes that congress and this pres are making. Federal Service is golden now but it was not years ago...those of us that stuck with it were not getting high salaries at one point or the bonuses. So to the do gooders and the matyr gene--back off from current feds and retirees. We should and deserve the COLAs and need to keep up with inflation that this pres has directly caused.
2009 Pay Raise
Economist Bureau of Labor Statistics Wed Jul 1, 2009 9:58 AM
As previously stated, the National Compensation Survey has documented a 20% pay gap for comparable work/equivilent occupations between Federal and Private pay. Recessions, it turns out, are the primary times when this gap can be narrowed as modest public sector pay raises continue while private sector raises flatten out (they don't disappear). Soon enough pay raises for comparable private work will rise faster again and the pay gap will be restored in full. It would be nice if the author took an historical look at the raise and placed the political banter in its proper perspective.
SACRIFICE
UNDERPAID FED VA Wed Jul 1, 2009 11:19 AM
Hey, how about this----
BHO---just give me the same amount of money your wife, kids and mother-in-law spent on their "little" Paris vacation---you know, the one at taxpayers expense!!!
The rest of the country can sacrifice---but NOT YOU AND YOURS!!!!!!
Pitiful and despicable----but, hey, you obamanites---"what a guy"!!!!!!!!!!!
Pay Raise
Safety Manager US Army Wed Jul 1, 2009 6:11 PM
With things so bad for the average American and un-enployment so high. I would be willing to take a smaller pay raise if it would help the country. But the truth be told the Bozo's in congress will not take a cut in pay to help the country or cut any waste full programs, but just want to add more waste. Instead of making improvements to our current health care system they want to create a whole new system and tax those who have health care to pay for it. This why they are willing to give federal workers a higher pay raise since thye are going to take it back in taxes.
Hold the Line
Manager VA Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:31 PM
While everyone is feeling the pinch because of our current state of affairs, there is no reason right now to raise civilian or military pay. As the retirees are finding out their COLA may not exist this year. With unemployment as high as it is the federal government is not hurting in its recruitment for civilian or military positions. While I prefer more and would gladly accept a higher raise, I say thank you for 2% if thats what I get. What I prefer Congress and the President to do is to freeze our health insurance costs to limit the potential hit we all take each year.
Be Careful What You Wish For
Retired Manager HHS Thu Jul 2, 2009 2:32 AM
Yes, we all would love a raise. Am I bothered that there will likely be no COLA this year? If I were still working (retired in '06), would I want pay parity with the military? I feel my answers to both questions would be no. Re: the COLA - last year, retirees (Fed, Mil, SSA) really "lucked out" with a COLA that was truly disproportionate to the economic situation. That happens with formulas. And, per the formula, a COLA is unlikely this year. We can't have it both ways. As for current employees, perhaps once you've retired, you'll recognize the exceptional value of the FEHB. Yes, my FEHB premiums for HIs option doubled in 2007, but they were still much cheaper than what my private sector and self-employed friends paid. I think the public could recognize the need for higher pay for active duty military (and I also believe Feds deployed to combat zones should have pay parity), but I fear the public might respond to a 3.4% raise with a call to cut federal benefits. Pick your battles!
NO Pay Raise
IT SPEC DOD Tue Jul 7, 2009 11:55 AM
I am under NSPS and believe that nobody in government this year deserves a pay raise. The only COLA i would give is disabled veterans. The government is full of overpaid, lazy people. The government should do just as the private sector in this economy, lay off some people and cut the deficit. Then again the Democrats have never seen a tax increase or more government workers that they didn't like.
COLA
DISABLED AMERICAN VETERAN CIVILIAN Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:47 AM
i think our legislators need to give back some of the raise they gave there selves !!! and give it to the people that need a little raise we get every year!!!
respectfully
h.h. herold
NO PAY RAISE
Engineer BOR Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:06 AM
1. If the pay raise is 2% then, it will be split up into across-the-board pay and locality pay. That will mean a 1% across-the-board and a 1% locality pay raise. Just go figure the great big pay raise that we will get. Almost makes me want to puke.
2. President Bush wasn't such a bad person after all. At least the smallest raise that we got under him was 3%. Looks pretty good now. We need some of those "Obama Bucks" also.
3. Also, what ever raise that we end up with is money that flows back into the economy here in the USA. It is not money that goes into Mexico's economy, or some other foriegn country's pocket so they can buy bullets to fire back at us.
Civilian Pay Raise Cap
Older Fed Fed. Employee Mon Aug 3, 2009 5:49 AM
It's not so much a matter of GS-12's through GS-15's making more money (and all being generalized as "lazy"). It's the very dangerous and seemingly over-used "us against them" mentality that our administration is throwing at us. You know, it's always the CEO's against the "little people"; the wealthy against the poor. . .the list is infinite.
Let's not fall into that very obvious trap, it's doing nothing but divide our Country.
I would be for getting rid of the ability of Congress to give themselves a raise. How ludicrous. . .the big, bad CEO's of corporations cannot give themselves a raise. The fact is, Congress is not working for us anyway.
Active Federal Employees vs. Retirees
program analyst retired Dept of Energy Sun Aug 23, 2009 7:21 PM
Why are Active Federal Employees getting a COLA,
while retired Federal employees are getting nothing
in 2010. The inflation index should apply to everyone, right? I don't get it.
We deserve it!
HR Specialist DA Mon Nov 9, 2009 7:55 AM
I am a veteran and now a civilian employee. I could be making more as a contractor in the civilian sector but I choose to stay federally employed. I served my country for 8 years, got out, and now am working a full-time, job, going to school full-time, and working a part-time job. So when I hear people say we get paid too much it makes me cringe! Everyone chooses their path in life, albeit the military, college, McDonalds, or whatever. I just say give people credit where credit is due. We're not in the positions we are in because of our good looks but because of our qualifications and for some educational background. I welcome the raise because guess what, we deserve it! It's unfortuante the position our previous President put us in but lets not forget why we are here. That war that started over in Iraq was senseless and costs taxpayers alot of money. At the end of the day I wish we could all get a raise but unfortunately that's the world we are living in right now?
Pay Parity
Fed
Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:52 AM
We already made our sacrifices in the 80's 90's and 00's. others got much larger pay raises during that time. Therefore, we should get parity with the military.
Re: Pay Parity
NONE
Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:49 PM
respectfully
a disabled veteran
Wonder if many folks will catch this ...
irs
Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:58 AM
I would love to retire but retiring into a negative 3% hole does not make much sense. I will be sticking it out for the retiree cost of living index (CPI-W) to get back to ground level.
I need all that I can get!
DoN
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:07 AM
With NSPS I need to push for all the salary increase I can get. Our command split our "raise" between salary increase and 1 time bonus. The bonus doesn't count toward retirement since its not base salary.
Federal Employee Benefits Bill (HR 2990) Including
SBA
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:11 AM
I was reading the Bill, will this Bill let me buy back my temp time? The way it reads, it appears to to say that.
Here is the exact language
SBA
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:12 AM
SEC. 203. COMPUTATION OF CERTAIN ANNUITIES BASED ON PART-TIME SERVICE.
(a) In General- Section 8339(p) of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following:
`(3) In the administration of paragraph (1)--
`(A) subparagraph (A) of such paragraph shall apply with respect to service performed before, on, or after April 7, 1986; and
`(B) subparagraph (B) of such paragraph--
`(i) shall apply with respect to that portion of any annuity which is attributable to service performed on or after April 7, 1986; and
`(ii) shall not apply with respect to that portion of any annuity which is attributable to service performed before April 7, 1986.'.
(b) Applicability- The amendment made by subsection (a) shall be effective with respect to any annuity, entitlement to which is based on a separation from service occurring on or after the date of enactment of this Act.
Civilian Pay Raise Cap
Department of the Navy
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:12 AM
Many lower grade civilian employees would benefit from a 3.4 percent pay increase. Congress should put a cap on pay raises for this year as follows;
GS01 to GS08- 3.4 percent
GS09 to GS 10- 2.7 percent
GS 11 to GS 12- 1.7 percent
GS 13 and above 0 percent-
unfortunately the federal government currently has too many high pay employees that do not earn their pay. It is hard to agree to pay these individuals more money since all they are doing is damaging the system and creating clones of themselves before they retire.
Re: Civilian Pay Raise Cap
US GOVT
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:58 AM
But what about those of us who are not paid by the GS program? How would any raise be determined??
Re: Civilian Pay Raise Cap
United States Marshals Service
Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:50 AM
Re: Civilian Pay Raise Cap
SSA
Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:30 PM
Re: Civilian Pay Raise Cap
Navy
Wed Jul 1, 2009 5:53 AM
Re: Civilian Pay Raise Cap
Fed Agency in DC
Wed Jul 1, 2009 2:47 PM
Sacrificing the 2010 pay raise?
Dept of Treasury
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:24 AM
Why should we when Congress won't make any sacrifices. Didn't they accept a very nice pay raise this year? Didn't they increase their office budgets this year? Sounds like the standard 'don't do as I do, do as I say' attitude.
Pay Raise
FSA
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:34 AM
The military deserves the higher raise. It's very arrogant for us as civilian employees to say we're making the same sacrifices as the military. That's garbage.
Re: Pay Raise
US Army
Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:39 AM
Guilt Mongers
DOD
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:38 AM
There seems to be this tireless, endless, effort to make federal workers feel guilty about their pay raises, however small. Will we see the same headlines if under pay for performance, certain employees get a dreamy 6, 8, or 10 percent pay raise? So much for motivating workers!! By the way....WHERE IS MY STOCK OPTIONS??
Re: Guilt Mongers
dod agency
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:58 AM
Perhaps the government ownership of GM and Chrysler will pay you a dividend. Or, perhaps, a raise of 3.4% next year while unemployment is at 10% or more should be considered a stock option.
We have sacrificed when the Rest of USA did not.
SSA and AFGE
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:58 AM
One has to remember that in the Clinton Administration, we had our contribution rate to our retirement systems increased 2-3 years when our funds were solvent to fund tax decreases for the rest of USA. Also FEHB is costly with poor coverage so that private insurances companies can make big bucks off of Uncle Sam and provide less and less in return.
Giving feds the pay increase helps soothe a bit the fact that fed executive branch unions cannot negotiate for pay, health insurance and pensions like the rest of the public sector in the USA.
Almost there was a year under Reagan that we got zero increase so that with FEHB increases, we ended up with a pay cut-- and the economy was NOT in a bad recession.
Why Should We Sacrifice?
DoD
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:59 AM
Why should we sacrifice a pay increase when we are going to dole out all our pay in taxes when this administration gets through with all the proposals they want to push through. With Cap and Tax (Trade) we will be lucky to have anything left over to buy a candy bar. Wait until the nationalized health care and VAT come into play. We will be working just to pay taxes and to support those that aren't working.
Feds Just Don't Get It!
USAF
Tue Jun 30, 2009 11:27 AM
Federal employees just don't understand the state of this economy nor do they feel the pain of unemployment, lack of any health insurance, vacation or other benefits. Feds are too isolated from the real world of no jobs or pay. Unions are now dead in the US after destroying the auto industry. Let's put a couple of million of them on the street so they will understand the hurt the average taxpayer is feeling today. Zero percent pay increase should be acceptable to them rather than no job. Who do they think is paying this massive debt they are running up?
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
ssa
Tue Jun 30, 2009 12:16 PM
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
DOD
Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:18 PM
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
hhs
Wed Jul 1, 2009 5:16 AM
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
VA
Wed Jul 1, 2009 7:29 AM
We DO "get it". And then some. I've been keeping track the past year, and everything I pay for has gone up a lot. Electric bill? 11% City sewer tax? 38% Chimney cleaning? 20% (not that I blame the guy - he needs to make a living too).
It was hard to read the "lead in" for this article, saying that since we might get over 3% raise, we won't be making a sacrifice. Get real.
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
dod agency
Wed Jul 1, 2009 7:58 AM
We need to remember that the only reason we get a check is because of the wealth created in the private sector. The government does many important things but, ultimately, the only way we get paid is by having an economy with a private sector that can pay the taxes to support our pay, benefits and agency expenses. We do pay taxes--but our taxes our paid from money collected from private individuals and companies. Moreover, our pay and benefits are already at twice the national average for the American family.
Please temper your whining. The world (and the private sector) does not owe us a living.
Re: Feds Just Don't Get It!
IRS
Wed Jul 1, 2009 6:22 PM
Congress Pay
Veterans Administration
Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:17 PM
I'm not certain, but I believe our legislators have not taken to the smaller raise concept. After all, they are very important people, unlike us "regular" government drones.
They already get free healthcare from us; seems like that alone is worth a smaller raise. I wish I didn't have to pay for mine, especially since my salary is not even close to theirs! And I have 20 years in government service!
California has the same problem; the state is broke, but the Legislators are still getting their raises. When A. ordered State employees to take work less hours, it did not apply to our Legislators, which is just unbelieveable since THEY created the mess over the years!!
Fed Pay Raise
SSA
Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:28 PM
I can't help but respond to the negative comments about Federal employees. When private industry messes up, as they have during the past 8 years or so, they look to the Federal government--and yes, Federal employees--to bail them out. Who do you think is doing all of the grunt work to keep your benefits coming, to bail out the auto companies and the banks and the brokerage firms? It is me and my co-workers who show up day after day, take all of the insults from the public, the media, etc., do the work of 2 people, put up with bureaucratic requirements... And we actually care about the jobs that we do and the public that we serve. We are real people with children to support and bills to pay--just like you. Many of us have worked for the Federal government for a number of years (35 for me) when it was not cool to work for the government. We had average salaries and eroding benefits. No stock options, no fancy offices, we eat lunch in a cafeteria. Please give us a break!
2010 pay raise
SSA
Tue Jun 30, 2009 1:33 PM
I think everyone needs need a COLA. Just get rid of the performance awards and stop promoting people who have been in their jobs less than 5 years. Tech jobs should require a minimum of 5 years in grade before promotion. Look at all the money we lose training them if they leave the job shortly after they are trained.
I am sure I will make more friends with this post.
We at SSA throw around too much money.
Re: 2010 pay raise
SSA
Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:20 AM
Re: 2010 pay raise
DOA
Wed Jul 1, 2009 8:45 PM
Your proposal will make the problem worse than it already is.
Pay Parity & NSPS
Air Force
Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:15 PM
Perhaps by the time our 2010 raise is worked out, the NSPS review will have been completed and NSPS will be a bad memory. Then those of us under NSPS will get true pay parity. I'm not holding my breath though.
Raises?
U.S. Army Pacific G-8
Tue Jun 30, 2009 2:19 PM
It would help since the State of Hawaii has raised Property Taxes, Vehicle Taxes, Electric and Gas also has risen tremendously . . .
Higher Grade Pays for Lower Grade?
Retired
Tue Jun 30, 2009 3:04 PM
Ref Program Analyst Navy suggesting that the higher grade get nothing to subsidize the lower grades. This is not a welfare state with no middle class yet. Those at the higher grades pushed themselves to go to college and have student loans most likely. Too bad for the lower grades. Stop killing the middle class in this country. And by the way..I'll be looking for my retiree COLA too the whole thing. I earned it.
zero cola for 2010
dol/oig
Tue Jun 30, 2009 4:50 PM
let's see, my real estate taxes are going to be increased since house assessments are down, energy and food prices still defy gravity, my auto ins and house are going up. Our health ins is a given that it will also go up. So tell me, just what has gone down for us?
I don't see anything encouraging with the economy, but what the hey, let the retirees and social security recipients take the hit.
Sacrifice now
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Tue Jun 30, 2009 8:24 PM
I for one am willing to make the sacrifice of only having a 2% raise for next year for the good of the country. But to be fair, the military could make the same sacrifice. Time are hard all over. I would hope that if times improve, President Obama would make up for this sacrifice. We could of course also compromise, say a 2.5% raise for civilians and military.
COLA and Government Pension Offset
USPS
Tue Jun 30, 2009 9:04 PM
It is not bad enough that federal retirees are hit with the GPO. This will only make it worse without a COLA. The bill to eliminate the GPO has never been approved and now this. I guess this is their way of saying THANKS FOR YOUR SERVICE for the last 30 years.
Potential Pay Raise
IRS
Wed Jul 1, 2009 7:39 AM
While I am not complaining about my job and its benefits, it is nice to finally get some pay parity. It is easy to ridicule our benefits package and to forget some true inequities:
-There is no Christmas bonus;
-There is no profit sharing;
-There are no stock options.
It wasn't that long ago that even the janitor at Microsoft became a millionaire thanks to stock options.
federal pay raise
DCMA
Wed Jul 1, 2009 8:29 AM
This will sound strange to some--but I would be willing to give up a pay raise in the coming year if they could bring health care costs under control. Fortunately, both my husband and I work so I realize we are in a better financial position than many, many people. But, the cost for our FEHB health care plan increased by a bit over 39% in 2009 and that's just obscene. If we get no raise, or little raise and our health care costs continue to rise as they have in the past, the Government might just as well stick their hands in our wallets or bank accounts and take it all!!
Stop the sacrificial lamb feds and retirees
Retired
Wed Jul 1, 2009 9:02 AM
Stop making scapegoats of feds when Obama has choosen to spend this country into bankrupcy. Prices are escalating. And for you do gooders who work for the feds and are wanting to share of your money (spread the wealth to those who do not work) in this miserable economy--wake up. Fed employment has taken its hits over the years while in the 80 and 90's others were making triple salaries with the bonuses (bravo to the poster on this one). What are you folks smoking that you want to sacrifice for mistakes that congress and this pres are making. Federal Service is golden now but it was not years ago...those of us that stuck with it were not getting high salaries at one point or the bonuses. So to the do gooders and the matyr gene--back off from current feds and retirees. We should and deserve the COLAs and need to keep up with inflation that this pres has directly caused.
2009 Pay Raise
Bureau of Labor Statistics
Wed Jul 1, 2009 9:58 AM
As previously stated, the National Compensation Survey has documented a 20% pay gap for comparable work/equivilent occupations between Federal and Private pay. Recessions, it turns out, are the primary times when this gap can be narrowed as modest public sector pay raises continue while private sector raises flatten out (they don't disappear). Soon enough pay raises for comparable private work will rise faster again and the pay gap will be restored in full. It would be nice if the author took an historical look at the raise and placed the political banter in its proper perspective.
SACRIFICE
VA
Wed Jul 1, 2009 11:19 AM
Hey, how about this----
BHO---just give me the same amount of money your wife, kids and mother-in-law spent on their "little" Paris vacation---you know, the one at taxpayers expense!!!
The rest of the country can sacrifice---but NOT YOU AND YOURS!!!!!!
Pitiful and despicable----but, hey, you obamanites---"what a guy"!!!!!!!!!!!
Pay Raise
US Army
Wed Jul 1, 2009 6:11 PM
With things so bad for the average American and un-enployment so high. I would be willing to take a smaller pay raise if it would help the country. But the truth be told the Bozo's in congress will not take a cut in pay to help the country or cut any waste full programs, but just want to add more waste. Instead of making improvements to our current health care system they want to create a whole new system and tax those who have health care to pay for it. This why they are willing to give federal workers a higher pay raise since thye are going to take it back in taxes.
Hold the Line
VA
Wed Jul 1, 2009 10:31 PM
While everyone is feeling the pinch because of our current state of affairs, there is no reason right now to raise civilian or military pay. As the retirees are finding out their COLA may not exist this year. With unemployment as high as it is the federal government is not hurting in its recruitment for civilian or military positions. While I prefer more and would gladly accept a higher raise, I say thank you for 2% if thats what I get. What I prefer Congress and the President to do is to freeze our health insurance costs to limit the potential hit we all take each year.
Be Careful What You Wish For
HHS
Thu Jul 2, 2009 2:32 AM
Yes, we all would love a raise. Am I bothered that there will likely be no COLA this year? If I were still working (retired in '06), would I want pay parity with the military? I feel my answers to both questions would be no. Re: the COLA - last year, retirees (Fed, Mil, SSA) really "lucked out" with a COLA that was truly disproportionate to the economic situation. That happens with formulas. And, per the formula, a COLA is unlikely this year. We can't have it both ways. As for current employees, perhaps once you've retired, you'll recognize the exceptional value of the FEHB. Yes, my FEHB premiums for HIs option doubled in 2007, but they were still much cheaper than what my private sector and self-employed friends paid. I think the public could recognize the need for higher pay for active duty military (and I also believe Feds deployed to combat zones should have pay parity), but I fear the public might respond to a 3.4% raise with a call to cut federal benefits. Pick your battles!
NO Pay Raise
DOD
Tue Jul 7, 2009 11:55 AM
I am under NSPS and believe that nobody in government this year deserves a pay raise. The only COLA i would give is disabled veterans. The government is full of overpaid, lazy people. The government should do just as the private sector in this economy, lay off some people and cut the deficit. Then again the Democrats have never seen a tax increase or more government workers that they didn't like.
COLA
CIVILIAN
Fri Jul 10, 2009 9:47 AM
i think our legislators need to give back some of the raise they gave there selves !!! and give it to the people that need a little raise we get every year!!!
respectfully
h.h. herold
NO PAY RAISE
BOR
Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:06 AM
1. If the pay raise is 2% then, it will be split up into across-the-board pay and locality pay. That will mean a 1% across-the-board and a 1% locality pay raise. Just go figure the great big pay raise that we will get. Almost makes me want to puke.
2. President Bush wasn't such a bad person after all. At least the smallest raise that we got under him was 3%. Looks pretty good now. We need some of those "Obama Bucks" also.
3. Also, what ever raise that we end up with is money that flows back into the economy here in the USA. It is not money that goes into Mexico's economy, or some other foriegn country's pocket so they can buy bullets to fire back at us.
Civilian Pay Raise Cap
Fed. Employee
Mon Aug 3, 2009 5:49 AM
It's not so much a matter of GS-12's through GS-15's making more money (and all being generalized as "lazy"). It's the very dangerous and seemingly over-used "us against them" mentality that our administration is throwing at us. You know, it's always the CEO's against the "little people"; the wealthy against the poor. . .the list is infinite.
Let's not fall into that very obvious trap, it's doing nothing but divide our Country.
I would be for getting rid of the ability of Congress to give themselves a raise. How ludicrous. . .the big, bad CEO's of corporations cannot give themselves a raise. The fact is, Congress is not working for us anyway.
Active Federal Employees vs. Retirees
retired Dept of Energy
Sun Aug 23, 2009 7:21 PM
Why are Active Federal Employees getting a COLA,
while retired Federal employees are getting nothing
in 2010. The inflation index should apply to everyone, right? I don't get it.
We deserve it!
DA
Mon Nov 9, 2009 7:55 AM
I am a veteran and now a civilian employee. I could be making more as a contractor in the civilian sector but I choose to stay federally employed. I served my country for 8 years, got out, and now am working a full-time, job, going to school full-time, and working a part-time job. So when I hear people say we get paid too much it makes me cringe! Everyone chooses their path in life, albeit the military, college, McDonalds, or whatever. I just say give people credit where credit is due. We're not in the positions we are in because of our good looks but because of our qualifications and for some educational background. I welcome the raise because guess what, we deserve it! It's unfortuante the position our previous President put us in but lets not forget why we are here. That war that started over in Iraq was senseless and costs taxpayers alot of money. At the end of the day I wish we could all get a raise but unfortunately that's the world we are living in right now?