8/22/12: Yesterday, the White House issued its alternative pay plan which would implement a 0.5% pay raise for civilian federal employees in January 2013.  However, the White House has asked Congress to delay the effective date of the raise until the expected CR expires, which is anticipated to be March 31, 2013.

It is disappointing that federal employees may have to wait until April 1, 2013, to see a pay raise.  Congress is expected to pass a CR funding the government from October 1, 2012 through March 31, 2013, when it returns in early September.  NTEU has successfully fought back efforts all year to continue the pay freeze into future years and although we are pleased that it now appears the pay freeze will come to an end, we are disappointed that it likely will not end until April 1, 2013.  The CR Congress is expected to pass has not yet been drafted and we will continue to watch this process carefully.

NTEU continues to maintain that federal workers have done more than their fair share to reduce the federal deficit, contributing $75 billion already through the two-year pay freeze and increased pension contributions that will be required of newly hired federal employees.  It is more evident than ever that it is time for others, including the wealthiest Americans in our country to contribute their fair share.