Federal workers rage over President Obama's two-year wage freeze

[Ares]

Irate federal workers in New York had a few choice words for President Obama's decision Monday to freeze their wages for the next two years.

"That's why Obama's ratings are below [ex-President George W.] Bush's, and that's hard to be unless you're Osama Bin Laden," said Rosemarie Clemmens of Manhattan.

Clemmens, who works for the Social Security Administration, said she voted for Obama but won't again. "I can't wait until I retire," the life-long government worker added.

Even the Secret Service and FBI, among other federal law enforcement agencies, are taking a hit thanks to Obama's decree.

"Federal law enforcement officers have been sacrificing for our country since the attacks on 9/11, and now we're being asked to bear the brunt of a failing economy," said Jon Adler, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

"This is disheartening, but it won't dilute our honor for serving our country," he said, adding that a pay freeze should be a last resort, not the first.

Signaling a distinct shift toward austerity, Obama announced a two-year pay freeze for federal workers, saving up to $5 billion in two years, and $28 billion in five.

"The hard truth is getting this deficit under control is going to require some broad sacrifice, and that sacrifice must be shared by the employees of the federal government," Obama said.

Obama's lower lip was distinctly swollen after taking an elbow during a Friday basketball game, but he said doctors have cleared him to get back on the court.


http://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/2010/11/30/2010-11-30_fed_workers_rage_over_wage_freeze.html#ixzz16mV wNpvt

[chad]

back on the court, huh? what a fucking joke this guy is.

[Silver Rocket Bitches!]

Everyone fights tooth and nail to make sure that THEIR way of life remains unscathed. No matter how bad it gets, people want to believe that all sacrifice can be made by others without impact to them.

[mike88]

grade 1 step one fed pay 17,800/per year. Ask any of the millions out of work if they would work at this rate. According to the area one works in, there is a percentage increase to the base pay. I didn't see if congress or the executive branch were sharing in the "greaat sacrifice". guess the belt tightening is for the peasants only.............

[Ash_Williams]

Clemmens, who works for the Social Security Administration, said she voted for Obama but won't again. "I can't wait until I retire," the life-long government worker added.

Hahhahahaha. I think they have a second surprise ready for her!

[midnight rambler]

Everyone fights tooth and nail to make sure that THEIR way of life remains unscathed. No matter how bad it gets, people want to believe that all sacrifice can be made by others without impact to them.




"Federal law enforcement officers have been sacrificing for our country since the attacks on 9/11, and now we're being asked to bear the brunt of a failing economy," said Jon Adler, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association.

Oh boohoo.

[Book]

http://www.cato-at-liberty.org/wp-content/uploads/201008_blog_dehaven101_new.jpg

AVERAGE FEDERAL WAGE = $81,258

:o

[Dvrumo]

I dont know the specifics of that graph, but it probably does not tell the whole truth. First, are they comparing like jobs or are they saying the average rederal worker makes more than the average US worker (including migrants and everyone else)? Second, the govt usually inflates the wage numbers for govt workers to show why they do not need to pay more. I know for military they assign high dollar values to things like commissary (even though walmart etc are just as good and probably used by most), clubs, gyms, etc. They are a benefit, but not used by many if they dont live on post and the value is inflated. Third, for military (not applicable to this chart) there is a premium to add say for a mechanic in the military over the standard civilian mechanic as you will be moved, deployed and possibly harmed as part of your duties.

Don't get me wrong, we need to cut the work force. However, if it is determined that we really need that worker, then they should be paid fairly to get talent and not the dregs. I dont know as much about the lower end, but I will say at the higher end on the technical side govt wages lagged industry. It is really only the last two years that those in industry are starting to complain as they are loosing their jobs and the federal employees are keeping them.

[Silver Rocket Bitches!]

If I'm not mistaken, Government unions guarantee COLA increases so it's not a true wage freeze.

[jimswift]

Didn't see where they got into the large percentage pay increases the Federal employees have been getting the last couple decades?

[Apparition]

It sounds like a good idea but I think there'll probably some loopholes in this proposal.

I read one report mentioning that they'd still continue to receive job benefits and it wouldn't apply to congressional employees.

Let's see the entire proposal first.

[ximmy]

There should be no government employees... and if so... minimum wage should apply to them.

[Libertytree]

I think their bitchin' is falling on mostly deaf ears, they sure aren't gettin' any sympathy from me, there's been a wage freeze at my company for 3 years now. F them!

[Still Barbaro]

Op, I've got a better idea:

RIFF 'em

Reduction in Force.

Ahem....fire their azzes.

[madfranks]

Didn't see where they got into the large percentage pay increases the Federal employees have been getting the last couple decades?


If one works in government their whole lives, they see raises and cost of living increases as entitlements of a normal job. They think they deserve and are owed these raises, and that is why they are upset they are not getting what they are "owed". They have no concept that you are supposed to earn your pay raises and that when times are tough you are supposed to go lean. They just don't understand these things.

[mick silver]

most government workers know what work was they would stop working last week . i know a few of them and there the lazy mother f ive every seen

[Ares]

Didn't see where they got into the large percentage pay increases the Federal employees have been getting the last couple decades?


If one works in government their whole lives, they see raises and cost of living increases as entitlements of a normal job. They think they deserve and are owed these raises, and that is why they are upset they are not getting what they are "owed". They have no concept that you are supposed to earn your pay raises and that when times are tough you are supposed to go lean. They just don't understand these things.


I've got something for those Government workers who feel they're entitled to a raise.

Get used to it!!!

<img src="http://www.aamirmusic.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/no-more-tears.jpg"/>

[keehah]

Federal law enforcement officers have been sacrificing for our country since the attacks on 9/11
Huh? After 9/11 they got lots of new play money and toys to hassle and enslave the innocent public they are supposed to serve and did nothing to route the corruption in their midst responsible for it.

[mightymanx]

Any bets that Congrress will be exempt and they still get their 16% pay increase each year?

[Apparition]

Any bets that Congress will be exempt and they still get their 16% pay increase each year?


From what I've read, they are exempt.

Surprising, isn't it? :sarc:

[Twisted Titan]

It warms my heart to no end to start to see these pricks get their squaring up.


Bring on the next wave.


T

[k-os]

I don't see what all the bitching is about. I haven't had a raise in 3 years, and I manage. I would like to demand more money, but I am afraid if I do, I will suddenly see less projects come my way.

They still have jobs, right? WTF? Some people need to look around at what is happening around them.

[mightymanx]

I hasve zero problems with a wage freeze for Federal employees and I am a federal employee.

What pisses me off though is it is only selected federal employees the "lords and masters" will still get their 16% a year "cola" and legalized insider trading benifits.

They should take the first paycut they are the ones that fucked up!

[Buddha]

I knew someone who is about 400lbs (literally) and is a security guard at a federal building, makes like 80k a year, can barley walk. REALLY!
If the government is at a deficit, it needs to cut costs. These employees are costs. The bureaucracy is already astounding, which is what they want I'm sure.

Wage freezes are not enough.

[Apparition]

Obama's pay freeze for federal workers only limits raises


Many federal workers would still get pay raises the next two years despite the limited salary freeze President Obama proposed this week for 2.2 million government employees.

The president's proposal, if approved by Congress, would stop across-the-board pay hikes set for January 2011 and January 2012.

But many federal workers will receive other pay hikes — longevity increases (called steps), promotions in grade, bonuses, overtime and other cash payments.

Most federal employees are ranked at a General Schedule (GS) grade from 1 to 15, and each grade has 10 steps within it.

Step raises are largely automatic, based on longevity, but merit can hasten a step pay raise or even move a worker up multiple steps. Not every worker gets a step raise every year, but the raises average about 2% per year for workers as a group.

Ronald Reagan in 1986 was the last president to freeze across-the-board pay hikes. Bill Clinton tried in 1994, but Congress said no.

The federal government would save $2 billion in the first year and an estimated $28 billion over five years under the limited freeze, Obama says.

Democrat Erskine Bowles and former senator Alan Simpson, R-Wyo., chairmen of the federal deficit reduction commission appointed by Obama, favor a broader freeze on federal pay — stopping all pay hikes for three years, including step raises and bonuses. The commission says the move would save more than double what Obama is calling for.

The proposals anger leaders of federal worker groups who say that the savings represent only a tiny fraction of total federal debt now pegged at $13.7 trillion.

"Our people are upset," says Jessica Klement of the Federal Managers Association. She says federal pay must keep pace with that of the private sector.

James Sherk, a labor analyst at the conservative Heritage Foundation, says pay freezes are needed but the better long-term solution is basing the federal pay system on merit, not longevity.

"Symbolically, the freeze is important," Sherk says. "It's where we should go for savings. But it's not a permanent fix." Federal benefits need to be cut dramatically, more than pay, Sherk says.

Full-time federal employees earned an average of $81,258 in pay last year and $41,791 in benefits, the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) reports.

By comparison, the private worker earned $50,462 in pay and $10,589 in benefits, meaning that federal workers earn about half more in pay but four times as much in benefits, the BEA says.

Federal workers pay a similar share in health care premiums — 29% — as corporate workers. Most federal workers don't get any subsidy for dental or vision insurance.

The big advantage for federal workers over private-sector workers comes in time off, pensions and lesser-known benefits. After three years, federal workers get 20 days of vacation, 10 paid holidays and 13 sick days, Sherk says. "A private worker would be lucky to get that after 20," he says.

For older workers, a federal pension is a sweet reward. Lifetime benefits are based on the highest three years of salary, rather than the five years typical of defined pension plans in the private sector. Retirement can start as early as 56 years old with medical benefits.

Source: http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2010-12-01-fedpay01_ST_N.htm