Topic: Pay Raise Moves Forward

Washington Post
September 25, 2008
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Federal Diary

By Joe Davidson
On the other side of Capitol Hill, the House passed legislation that includes a 3.9 percent raise for civilian and military federal employees. While the amount is no surprise, union leaders are particularly pleased that the money is included in the measure, which the Senate is expected to pass this week. They feared a smaller increase favored by President Bush would take effect, and then workers would have to wait for a retroactive pay hike to be passed, perhaps months into next year.
The raise is included in a measure that's effective January to March. Congress probably will later extend it through the rest of the year. "It's excellent news," said Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National Treasury Employees Union. "I think it's sending the right message to the federal workforce that their work is recognized and appreciated."
She noted the work of Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.), who said "it is imperative that we continue to provide our federal workforce with a fair pay adjustment so that the federal government can retain quality employees, and attract the best new workers entering the job market."
Another provision of the legislation would effectively halt implementation of a new employee management operation at the Homeland Security Department. Among other things, the system would include pay for performance, which many workers oppose.