Posted on 08/31/2009 9:20:11 PM PDT by bruinbirdman
President Obama has limited pay rises for tens of thousands of federal employees in the US next year to 2 per cent, blocking planned rises of more than 18.9 per cent.
The President said in a letter to Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, that pay formulas set in 1990 would indicate a 16.5 per cent pay increase, on top of a 2.4 per cent cost-of-living increase for federal employees.
This would cost $22.4 billion, and place too much strain on the already stretched federal budget, the President said.
“With unemployment at 9.5 per cent in June, to cite just one economic indicator, few would disagree that our country is facing serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare,” he added.
Citing the “national emergency” declared after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, he invoked his right to use an alternative formula, keeping pay increases to 2 per cent, the level he called for in his budget this year, costing taxpayers $2.7 billion next year.
The National Treasury Employees Union, said it was disappointed with the decision.
(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...
18.9%!!!
During a recession where Social Security and MediCare are getting cut?
Heh ... no COLA increase at all for the seniors and disabled.
Gotta keep those government union employees happy.
Hey Obama - just print more money for us ... OK?
/
18.9%!!!
Amazing Arrogance
I don’t think they get the concept of locality pay.
There is no way there was supposed to be, or ever will be, an 18.9% raise for federal employees.
Locality pay raises are cumulative over the years.
Considering the circumstances, I’ll take the 2% and be happy with it.
I cant believe Obama did something I agree with.
At the same time however he is expanding Gov jobs.
They should NOT be getting the 2%.....businesses have frozen salaries, Soc Sec recipients are getting none....BUT, they are supposed to get 2%????????? How’s that Hopey Changey stuff working for you Fed employees?
Why not cancel ALL pay increases? I don’t think you could find any company out there giving any raise!
BUT, a zero increase for Social Security recipients for TWO YEARS! Does anyone now doubt where the Obozo’s priorities are? Hint...it ain’t with AARP.
I don’t disagree with what he did, but, and it’s a big but, why would he cite the Sept. 11 emergency? That’s absolutely crazy when he is spending money every which way, and entirely unrelated to any Sept. 11 emergency... Maybe I aint the sharpest knife in the drawer, but that looks nuts. Then again I am probably not smart enough to be a politician.
Of course, Congress already got their raises for the year, right?
most businesses have reduced salaries. Including CEOs and all execs.
Don’t think us retired people or you will see you check get larger. Medical insurance is going to eat up the raise and more.
lol Seniors dont get a cent but fed employees do....hmmm
Fed employees, according to what I believe are this administration’s thinking, are productive citizens of the U.S. Whereas, the senior population isn’t, thus, they don’t merit a raise. Just one step closer to the death panels.
This was first announced as soon as Obama took office. Not really new news.
Let's see here...
Who was president in 1990?
Which party controlled Congress in 1990?
I absolutely despise career politicians of both parties!
In retrospect, will any of them admit that however those guidelines were set, it was utter stupidity?
A little clarification here: this happens every year. Neither Clinton nor Bush ever gave the full raise. Good thing too, in my opinion. And I’m a Federal employee.
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