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Federal pay raise varies by locality
Federal workers get generous cost-of-living increases
Date published: 12/28/2008
JUST BEFORE the Christ- The average national increase was 3.99 percent, with those in the Washington area (including Dahlgren and Quantico) receiving 4.78 percent. Their counterparts in Richmond (including Fort A.P. Hill) will see a 3.52 percent boost. The Washington area received the highest overall increase, with San Jose, Calif., receiving 4.31 percent and New York seeing a 4.20 percent rise. The 2009 increase is a full percentage point higher than the president originally recommended to Congress. For those in the highest ranks of the general schedule in Washington, the 2009 pay cap has been moved to $153,200, an increase of about $4,000. Richmond's pay cap is now $148,148. Factoring locality-based comparability payments into annual compensation, Washington's federal workers receive just over 23 percent of their salaries in locality pay. The pay differentials are based on the Federal Pay Comparability Act of 1990, which established 32 separate geographically-based pay tables for general schedule employees. If you want to see the new pay tables, including those for the Second Chances Because of recent changes in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield's Standard Option's surgical benefits, the Office of Personnel Management has ordered federal agencies to accept Open Season enrollments through the end Many current enrollees were not aware that they could be liable for thousands of dollars in additional expenses if they chose surgeons out of Blue Cross' established network. Significant pressure was put on OPM by members of Congress and groups representing employees to extend the Open Season past Dec. 10. OPM is also working with other carriers in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to provide additional protections to federal workers who have non-emergency surgeries performed out of their networks. Sign of the Times OPM has reported that more than 16 million prospective job applicants visited USAJOBS, the government's primary hiring Web site, in October. This is more than twice the number a year ago. Looks as if the uncertain economy makes workers look at federal civil service as a place for job safety and security. Happy 2009 Since this is my last column of 2008, I would like to thank so many of you for your e-mails and feedback. I wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2009 and look forward to watching a new administration and Congress tackle issues affecting the federal family. Kevin Wilkinson of Spotsylvania County is a veteran federal employee. Write him c/o Federal Feedback, The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401. Or e-mail
Date published: 12/28/2008
What makes you think we are in
(posted by
True_Bob
, Jan. 8, 2009 2:59 pm)
a deflationary period? It's quite the reverse, unless you have some magic money I never saw. The locality pay is set by law, but the law allows the prez to propose otherwise in unusual circumstances. "Unusual circumstances" has thus become the norm.
Yes, it seems that the government is on Auto Drive,
(posted by
Kristen
, Jan. 8, 2009 11:35 am)
And these COL increases are automatic. It would probably take an act of congress to wave the increase for the year, in a deflationary period don't know how it's justified. But overall, the COL AUO and locality are meant to keep pace with competing agencies. Locality pay is very difficult to understand as well,this changes very slowly as the government changes at a snails pace, sometimes based on 10 year old census which can be obsolete.Most of the feds I know keep an eye on other departments to jump ship
Valid point Kristen..it makes sense
(posted by
Mandrake
, Jan. 7, 2009 9:19 pm)
In this instance avoiding attrition obviously was not
the objective.
COLA, AUO, (overtime), and locality pay
(posted by
Kristen
, Jan. 6, 2009 8:49 am)
It is my understanding that thise programs were originally set in place to compete with local agencies. In LA, where my husband was hired out of, the FEDS were loosing a great deal of agents to local agencies as the locals were making siginificantly more than FEDS. It is simply a matter of supply and demand. Drop these perks, and the hemoraging will begin again. The free market works in the public sector as well as the private sector. It is very easy for an agent to make a lateral transfer.
Government workers work for the people who pay taxes
(posted by
Mandrake
, Jan. 5, 2009 5:27 pm)
Corporate employees and officers work for the
shareholders, sole proprietorship works for the sole
proprietor etc etc.
In all cases whoever pays the tab has to be treated as the
first in line to profit and be treated fairly by management
and workers.
Does that happen? Sure. Always? No. Let's not mince
words here, no one ever does "everything" right but the
profit motive and job security certainly contribute to the
goal.
Besides, since we are in a deflationary period, how is a
COLA justified for anyone?
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