Million of Americans are out of work. The Federal Government is racking up unprecedented debt. Private sector workers are facing pay cuts or lay offs. So what do the “smart” people in Washington do? Why, they give federal workers a pay raise, of course.
Congressional appropriators agreed Tuesday night to give civilian federal employees a 2 percent pay increase — which includes a locality pay increase President Obama didn’t want.
Government workers will get a 1.5 percent nationwide increase in base pay and a 0.5 percent average increase in locality pay. The final agreement goes against the wishes of Obama, who called for a flat 2 percent jump and no locality increase.
Locality pay helps address the gaps between federal pay and private sector wages in high-cost areas of the country. The Federal Salary Council estimates the current private-public gap is about 26 percent, on average. Locality increases mean a federal worker in Cincinnati might get a smaller increase than a worker in Washington, D.C., because of local costs of living.
“I am pleased the final bill will provide for locality pay to reflect variable costs for federal employees working in various job markets,” Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said in a statement Tuesday night. “This provision is critical to bringing federal pay in line with the private sector and enabling the federal government to compete for high quality talent.” Hoyer’s Congressional district is home to thousands of federal employees. ….
I don’t begrudge anyone getting a pay raise if they deserve it. But those of us in the non-union private sector receive raises based on performance. And during economic downturns, many private sector employees forego pay raises. But to follow such a concept would mean people like Steny Hoyer couldn’t use taxpayer money to buy votes.
I’m fine with it if they mean the military, but for the rest of them, it’s just a political payoff to their base.Shocker!
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It;s not what you know, itss who you blow.
This is payback for electing Big Ears.
IMO: the concept of Gov’t employees who’s job description very often includes the word “serve” having a union is a conflict of interests.
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I want to know the list who voted for and against this!!!!
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I propose the following be put on ballot:
1. That we the people decide how much Congress gets paid and when and if they get raises.
2. Term limits
3. What type of benefits they get. What insurance plans they can be on.
4. That they be required to provide their own transportation or they must take public transportion. We’re done paying for their expensive, needless limo rides, private jets, etc.
5. Any increase in taxes must be approved by tax payers. It’s our money. We should have a say in what happens.
How do we get this put on the ballot? They will never give up their elitist status and position. So, we need to take it from them. It’s time we send them a quick reminder they work for us.
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I would also like to find out which of my Congress/Senatorial Reps voted for this. Could you guide us to a place that has the answer?
I agree that the military should get pay raises, but in times of high unemployment, NO pay raises to federal civilian employees. Senios are not getting a COLA increase in their SS, altho the Medicare premiums are being increased.
Also agree w/ above poster that wants more control over Congessional perks…require them to take SS like the rest of us.
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YOU ARE ALL STUPID. I AM A FEDERAL EMPLOYEE AND MY COUNTERPARTS IN PRIVATE SECTOR MAKE ABOUT $30,000 TO $50,000 MORE THAN I DO. ON AVERAGE GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEE’S SEE A GAP OF ABOUT 20% FOR THE SAME JOB IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR. YOU TRY LIVING IN DC, NY, OR LA WITH 20% LESS PAY THAN YOUR COUNTERPARTS. JACKASS’S!
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Sorry. It just upsets me that people think everyone in government are there for “the money” and don’t take great pride in their jobs. Some, even many don’t; but I do!
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