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Articles | Battle to Stop a 2011 Federal Pay Freeze Continues
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Battle to Stop a 2011 Federal Pay Freeze Continues
May 28, 2010
Earlier this week, Senators Tom Coburn (R-OK) and John McCain (R-AZ)
proposed an amendment to a spending bill that would require freezing raises,
bonuses and salary increases for federal employees in 2011, saving taxpayers
$2.6 billion.
In February, President Obama proposed in his fiscal year a 1.4-percent
2011 federal pay
raise.
While in a Senate vote on Thursday the measure was defeated by a 53-45 tally,
a similar attempt may be made in the House in the next few days to enact a pay
freeze for federal employees -- possibly through procedural maneuvers
-- as part of the 2011 Defense Authorization Bill.
Employee groups have been quick to oppose a 2011 federal employee pay freeze. "A move to prohibit any federal pay raise next year would adversely affect
all federal employees," said Colleen M. Kelley, president of the National
Treasury Employees Union (NTEU). in a letter to House members on Thursday.
"There is no need to freeze pay for frontline employees, especially when many
are suffering in this recession with spouses and other family members
unemployed."
Margaret L. Baptiste, president of the National Active and Retired Federal
Employees Association (NARFE) said, "civil service pay and benefits have
been a perennial target of budgeteers, and 'bureaucrats' have long been an easy
'whipping boy' for voters. If we are to make wise choices about putting our
fiscal house in order, members of Congress and the public need to be educated
about the invaluable contributions made to our country by Americans who devote
their careers to public service."
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