The Office of Personnel Management should move swiftly to implement the 2019 federal pay raise and publish the new detailed salary information as soon as possible, National Treasury Employees Union President Tony Reardon said.
Congress approved an average 1.9 percent increase, which was signed into law 10 days ago. The raise, which is retroactive to the first full pay period of the year, includes 1.4 percent across the board and 0.5 percent for locality pay.
The pay tables that accompany the executive order implementing the raise contain precise salary information for General Schedule employees at every level and in every geographic location.
In a letter sent Monday, Reardon urged OPM Acting Director Margaret Weichert to publish the revised 2019 pay tables so federal employees around the country can see exactly how much money they will earn this year and ensure that employees receive their higher pay rate in the earliest possible paycheck.
“As employees continue to struggle with the lasting impacts of the 35-day government shutdown as well as increased costs of living, it is imperative that the pay increase be implemented as soon as possible,” Reardon wrote. “We encourage OPM to get this vital information out to the federal workforce and to process these payments immediately. The personal finances of many federal employees were severely disrupted by the partial government shutdown, and it is important that they receive their higher rate of pay as soon as possible.”
The full text of the letter is below:
February 25, 2019
The Honorable Margaret Weichert
Acting DirectorOffice of Personnel Management
1900 E Street, NW
Washington, DC 20415
Dear Acting Director Weichert:
As National President of the National Treasury Employees Union, representing over 150,000 federal employees in over 33 agencies, I am writing to urge swift action to implement the 2019 pay increase for federal employees.
Over a week ago,the President signed into law the Consolidated Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2019 (P. L. 116-6), which provides a 1.4 percent across-the-board pay increase anda 0.5 percent average increase for locality paythat is to be applied starting with the first pay period beginning on or after January 1, 2019. As employees continue to struggle with the lasting impacts of the 35-day government shutdownas well as increased costs of living, it is imperative that the pay increase be implemented as soon as possible.
I would appreciate an update from you on when federal employees can expect the pay tables to be issued and when they might receive the increase provided by Congress. I look forward to hearing from you soon.
Sincerely,
Anthony M. Reardon
National President