Bush Cuts Pay Raises for Federal Workers, Citing National Emergency

TBo.com ^

[Sub-Driver]

Bush Cuts Pay Raises for Federal Workers, Citing National Emergency By Jennifer Loven Associated Press Writer

CRAWFORD, Texas (AP) - Citing a state of national emergency brought on by last year's terrorist attacks, President Bush on Friday slashed the pay raises most civilian federal workers were to receive starting in January. Under a law passed in 1990, federal employees covered by the government's general schedule pay system would receive a two-part pay increase with the new year, a 3.1 percent across-the-board increase plus a pay hike based on private-sector wage changes in the areas where they work.

This law outlining federal pay kicks in because Congress has not yet passed the appropriations legislation directing a specific increase, said Amy Call, a spokeswoman for the White House's Office of Management and Budget.

The White House couldn't say exactly how many federal employees the change would impact, but said it would be almost all.

Bush's pay decision is yet another blow to federal workers, many of whom are facing big changes in job descriptions under the Bush administration.

Earlier this month, the administration announced it wants to let private companies compete for up to half of the 1.8 million federal jobs. Also, in the new Homeland Security Department, Bush won the broad powers he sought to hire, fire and move workers in the 22 agencies that will be merged.

In a letter sent Friday to congressional leaders, Bush announced he was using his authority to change workers' pay structure in times of national emergency or "serious economic conditions" and limiting raises to the 3.1 percent across-the-board boost. Military personnel will receive a 4.1 percent increase.

That means that the additional so-called locality-based payments would remain at current levels because "our national situation precludes granting larger pay increases ... at this time," Bush said.

The White House quietly released the letter to journalists via e-mail late on Friday, the middle of a long holiday weekend when most Americans were apt to be paying little attention.

Officials of unions representing federal workers could not immediately be reached Friday night for comment.

Call said the locality-based payments have rarely gone into effect since their creation in 1990, either because former President Clinton limited them or Congress prescribed other salary increases.

"The whole locality-based adjustment ... for the most part doesn't go into effect," Call said.

The White House estimated that the overall average locality-based pay increase would amount to about 18.6 percent. Bush said granting the full raises would cost about $13.6 billion in 2003, or $11.2 billion more than he proposed for the year - a cost the nation can't bear as it continues to battle the war against terror.

"A national emergency has existed since September 11, 2001," Bush wrote. "Such cost increases would threaten our efforts against terrorism or force deep cuts in discretionary spending or federal employment to stay within budget. Neither outcome is acceptable."

The president noted that the raises still amount to more than the current inflation rate of 2.1 percent.

"I do not believe this decision will materially affect our ability to continue to attract and retain a quality federal workforce," he said.

[anniegetyourgun]

A significant decision, indeed. Here's to hoping he can find other salary savings in government through not backfilling on attrition, lots of job elimination through finding overlaps in the Homeland Security mergers, rooting out waste, fraud and abuse at all levels, instituting automated internal audit systems, etc.

This type of re-inventing government can have a major impact on budget and efficiencies given the cost of labor in the federal government. It's something AlGore never dreamed of when he was asked to take a look-see at the management of government. Perhaps he was too busy wiring schools to the internet he invented.

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"It's something AlGore never dreamed of when he was asked to take a look-see at the management of government.
Perhaps he was too busy wiring schools to the internet he invented."

LOL!!!

[caltrop]

Yes, a very good move. I wonder if this year's savings will be sufficient to cover this year's salaries of the new hires at the expanded Department of Education.

[hattend]

Congress got their raise. Guess they had to pay for it somehow.

[anniegetyourgun]

BTW, only in D.C. is an anticipated increase which has never been implemented, considered "a cut".....

[TaRaRaBoomDeAyGoreLostToday!]

The senate/congress? (one of em) sure did not get cut, they just got a raise.

[Torie]

Well Bush didn't have Maryland in his electoral strategy anyway.

[contessa machiaveli]

isn't it wonderful to know that our craven congresscritters and senators voted themselves pay raises in the dark of night???? hush, we peons aren't supposed to know.

[Salvation]

A time of war. It's time to bite the bullet. During World War II there was rationing of goods such as sugar, etc.

All I can say is "Hooray for Bush"!

[lainie]

I'm figuring that this decision came as no surprise to the congressional leadership and they'll follow suit shortly. Magnanimously give up their pay raise in the interest of hardworking Americans. You know.

[anniegetyourgun]

Perhaps one of them will have the decency to propose a 'cut' in congressional pay when they return in the next session. It's the least they can do during a national emergency and in light of this. But, alas, perhaps there isn't a decent one among them....

[PhiKapMom]

I wasn't going to say anything since I figured people could read the article and pull out the following but it seems to keep getting missed:

"Call said the locality-based payments have rarely gone into effect since their creation in 1990, either because former President Clinton limited them or Congress prescribed other salary increases.

"The whole locality-based adjustment ... for the most part doesn't go into effect," Call said.

"The White House estimated that the overall average locality-based pay increase would amount to about 18.6 percent. Bush said granting the full raises would cost about $13.6 billion in 2003, or $11.2 billion more than he proposed for the year - a cost the nation can't bear as it continues to battle the war against terror."

NOTE: These pay raises are for General Schedule employees and are rarely implemented. The standard raise for years has been around 3%. The locality raises would break the bank and are not necessary. A GS-12, Step 10 now makes $70,000+ a year. That is not considered a high grade by anyone's account in the GS ranks!

[lainie]

great minds.. #11

[lainie]

Then we can discuss how the AP story appears to want to paint it as otherwise. But I suppose that doesn't surprise any of us.

[anniegetyourgun]

Wow...I was a minute behind you! But then, most folks on FR are quicker on the uptake than I....

[deport]

Perhaps one of them will have the decency to propose a 'cut' in congressional pay when they return in the next session.

You reckon they will have a change of heart since Nov. 13?

Vote Summary

Question: On the Motion to Table (Motion to Table Feingold Amdt. No. 4900 )
Vote Number:	242	Vote Date:	November 13, 2002, 04:00 PM
Required For Majority:	1/2	Vote Result:	Motion to Table Agreed to
Amendment Number:	S.Amdt. 4900 to H.R. 5005 (Homeland Security Act of 2002 )
Statement of Purpose:	To provide that Members of Congress shall not receive a cost of living adjustment in pay during fiscal year 2003.

Vote Counts:	YEAs	58
	NAYs	36
	Not Voting	6

[muawiyah]

In all reality the only federal employees who should be paid at all are postal workers. At least there you have folks doing something other people pay for.

Right?

Run that salary schedule down to zero and the work will still get done as folks like you will volunteer your time no doubt.

Maybe we could make government jobs like being on a jury - they just call you in, give you $15 per day, and you get to make the big decisions.

[PhiKapMom]

The AP story is hard to figure out and if I hadn't had experience with civil service would not have picked up on it! IMO it was written to make the President look bad when he is just doing what other President's have done since 1990. Locality pay for GS employees who are fairly high paid is not necessary IMO!

[victim soul]

<"Earlier this month, the administration announced it wants to let private companies compete for up to half of the 1.8 million federal jobs."

I hope this means that there are going to be fewer gov'mnt workers for the next elections.

Sure would like to know the comparisons between the number of federal workers and private company's employee numbers.

I would suspect that many gov'mnt workers vote DEMOCRAT just to keep their jobs. While private businesses and self-employed vote for FREEDOM FROM TAXATION!!