Unions Speaking Out to Politicians: Lift The Pay Freeze

By September 12, 2018Benefits, Federal Pay

A major federal employee union has renewed its demand that members and other feds get the pay raise they deserve.

The American Federation of Government Employees issued a press release Sept. 10 pressing lawmakers and the White House—which recently announced the cancellation of a modest pay raise—to get on with reversing course, and providing the boost.

“Federal employees have had their pay and benefits cut by over $200 billion since 2011, and they are earning nearly 5 percent less today than they did at the start of the decade,” the release notes. “Federal employees are encouraged that the administration’s proposed pay freeze was immediately met with opposition from many in Congress. Our calls and visits to explain the real situation across the country have paid off.”

Specifically, the document says, almost 200 members of Congress “have joined together to denounce President Trump’s decision to freeze pay for federal employees next year.” Letters and other missives sent to the White House or to leaders on Capitol Hill are pushing for at least the 1.9 percent rise that was promised and approved in a fiscal 2019 appropriations bill that the Senate passed.

“President Trump’s claim that the federal government cannot afford to provide the workforce with a modest pay adjustment next year after signing a $1.5 trillion tax cut for the wealthiest individuals and corporations is ridiculous on its face and insulting to every employee who has taken an oath to serve this country,” J. David Cox, the president of AFGE, said in the release.

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