Hey, You Know What America Really Needs?
We need to increase federal workers’ pay
The White House will propose a 0.5 percent pay increase for civilian federal employees as part of its 2013 budget proposal, according to two senior administration officials familiar with the plans.
Remember, Kids, the only way to save money is to spend as much of it as possible.
This may be the Quote of the Day from a “senior administration official”:
“While modest, a .5 percent increase reflects the belt-tightening we must do in these difficult times.”
Thanks to Zerohedge for the link.
Media, Nanny State, Politics | Mr. Bingley | 
January 6, 2012 11:49 am
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How about a 10% DECREASE or most GS classificastins.
Aren’t two of the surrounding DC counties the two highest per capita counties in the country?
Yes, I believe so, Yojimbo. Not to mention, the average annual pay grade in the Federal service, as of 2007) (see page 13, but warning! Large PDF file) is pretty danged good:
General schedule: $63,431
Non-general schedule: $81,502
Senior Executive Service: $146,848
Now, how you read this table will vary with your bias. That figure is the “total dollar”, including benefits. A close study is a great idea.
For those so interested…..there hasn’t been a pay raise since 2010, and the raises in 2008-2009 were around 2%, as I recall. So if you want a general feeling of current values, add 4%.
HOWEVER…..there are more Federal employees, and there have quite a few promotions in grade and step pay increases (as noted, but under-emphasized, in the article), since 2007. So take this as a low end figure, based on what I see within the Federal government. I couldn’t find a current study by the CBO (surprise!).
So…..the average Federal pay is pretty dang good. Federal employees below the average will disagree, of course. But this is a pretty good gig. And I will note that I’m seeing an awful lot of fluff and overhead positions being added, by which I mean, “no value added to the function of the organization”.
Let me also point out what the article rather brushes over: A 0.5% is indeed galling to the public, even those with jobs. But I have to note that this is a PATHETIC pay increase. I’d have to crunch numbers from my pay statements to be accurate, but I feel safe in saying that the co-pays for medical insurance have increased by at least 0.25% in that same time frame.
And this ignores the fact that the actual increase in the cost of living is more than the official cost of living adjustment of 3.5% we normally see.
So if President Present is trying to buy the votes of the Federal work force, he’s going to fail. This 0.5% is galling to non-Federal employees, but it’s insulting to Federal employees, the political equivalent of throwing loose change on the floor, and having people fight for a pittance.
“Federal worker union leaders voiced tepid support Friday” strikes me as Obama-centric spin; I imagine they are furious.
If this guy is trying to buy votes, he’s doing so on a budget. And failing in the process.
“If this guy is trying to buy votes, he’s doing so on a budget. And failing in the process.”
So his Mad Messiah Skillz are as good as ever, Jeff?
Only in DC could an increase in pay be considered “belt-tightening”.
So his Mad Messiah Skillz are as good as ever, Jeff?
Oh, yeah! I’m sure that he can FEEL the love emanating from the federal employees.
Guns, it’s less than the federal workforce wants as a pay raise! Can’t you feel their pain?
No, but if you hum a few bars . . .