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'Federal Feedback' by Kevin Wilkinson Date published: 11/15/2009
WE ARE NOW a month and a half from the start of the New Year, and federal civilian workers still do not know what their cost-of-living increase will be in 2010. Congress has yet to settle on the pay boost, and it is causing some concern among workers who are facing increases in their health and related insurance premiums come January. The final percentage is still very much up in the air and its end amount is anyone's guess. The reason for the confusion is the lack of cohesion For example, in July the House of Representatives recommended a 2 percent increase in the financial services bill. Meanwhile, the Senate was considering a 2.9 percent boost in its version of the bill. Neither bill has passed both chambers at this time. While this was transpiring, the House and Senate were also working on the 2010 Defense Authorization Act, which contains a 3.4 percent increase for members of the uniformed services. This bill was just signed into law. Proponents of "pay parity" between military and civilian workers are advocating that federal workers receive this much higher figure. Meanwhile, the president's pay agent last month refused to make a cost-of-living recommendation for 2010 or 2011, citing the legislative uncertainty of congressional action on the 2010 boost. As the legislative drama unfolds, I'll keep you posted. WHERE THE JOBS ARE The Office of Management and Budget advised civilian agencies to increase their acquisition work force by OMB is concerned that the size and capabilities of the government's current acquisition force have not kept up with the steep increase since 2000 in procurement spending. In addition, the federal government will be looking for 11,000 technology workers over the next three years. The Partnership for Public Service estimates that by 2012 almost 17,000 federal IT workers will be eligible to retire. The average age of these workers is now 48. 2009 FEDERAL CAMPAIGN Last year, federal workers raised more than $276 million on behalf of charitable organizations across the country and overseas through the Combined More than 1 million workers participated in last year's campaign, and over $6 billion has been collected since the CFC's inception in 1961. This year's campaign is now under way, and I encourage you to help continue this proud tradition of generosity and community involvement by the federal work force. 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.
of nongoverment employees, raises are only a dream and most are grateful just to not have been included in the last round of layoffs. But then it's not like their customers could just take their business elsewhere, unless they want to leave the country, and if revenue falls short they'll just print some more money and taxes will catch up eventually.........
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