Yesterday, Senator Brian Schatz (HI) and Representative Gerry Connolly (VA) introduced the NTEU-supported FAIR Act, which would provide a 3.6 percent pay increase to federal employees in January 2020.

The Federal Employee Pay Comparability Act (5 USC 5303) indicates that federal employees should receive a 2.6 percent pay raise in January 2020, prior to any amount being provided for locality pay rate increases. This formula is designed to ensure that the gap between federal government and private sector wages does not further deteriorate. According to the most recent Federal Pay Agent Report, the current pay disparity is over 30 percent. Providing federal workers a 3.6% pay raise in 2020 would begin to help address the shortfall in pay over the past few years and help make the federal government a more competitive employer.

NTEU whole-heartedly supports the FAIR Act for 2020 as we continue the fight to secure a pay increase for 2019. As part of that effort, NTEU sent a letter to the Senate in support of the Federal Civilian Workforce Pay Raise Fairness Act of 2019, H.R. 790 and S. 262, which would provide a 2.6 percent pay increase for federal employees this year and provide parity with the military. NTEU also joined with other federal employee groups in sending a letter in support of pay parity.

As you know well, federal employees, like all other Americans, face rising costs for many things, including college and health care. Federal employees and their families deserve fair pay, and NTEU will fight to ensure employees receive a fair pay raise in 2019 as part the final funding agreement for Fiscal Year 2019 and in 2020.