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.
The modest across-the-board pay jump would be the first increase for federal workers since before a two-year freeze began in late 2010. Raises for within-grade step increases and promotions have continued during the freeze.
The proposal, which requires congressional approval, differs from Republican plans supported by lawmakers and presidential candidates that would freeze basic pay rates for one more year. Some of those plans also call for denying within-grade raises. In recent weeks, GOP lawmakers have called for extending the pay freeze as a way to pay for a payroll tax extension.
But, “a permanent pay freeze is not an acceptable policy,” one of the senior administration officials said Friday. “While modest, a 0.5 percent increase reflects the belt-tightening we must do in these difficult times.”
Novemer 2010: "I am committed to doing my part," the president said. But "the hard truth is that getting this deficit under control is going to require some broad sacrifices" -- including some on the part of federal employees. Please explain the sacrifices again. Still have jobs, received in-grade increases and the taxpayer is still providing a good chunk of change for their medical/pension plans. It just breaks my heart that government employees have had to endure so much.
