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Washington – The Bush Administration’s criticism of congressional action to fund a 4.6 percent pay raise for federal employees in the coming year is “shortsighted,” said NTEU National President Colleen M. Kelley.

“There is nothing more critical than the ability of the federal government to attract and keep skilled and talented employees. Congress recognized this in a bipartisan call for pay parity with the military and federal civilian employees, and members of the House Appropriations Committee followed the will of Congress in approving funding needed for a 4.6 percent pay raise in the coming year. The administration’s criticism of this action is shortsighted and indefensible,” said Kelley.

The House Appropriations Committee last week approved a FY2002 Transportation Appropriations bill, which included funding for a 4.6 percent pay raise for federal employees in departments and agencies covered by the measure. This action was in line with language calling for pay parity between federal civilian and military employees in the final Fiscal Year 2002 Budget Resolution. The Bush Administration’s proposed budget calls for a 3.6 percent pay raise for civilian federal workers and 4.6 for the military. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) criticized the committee’s action saying it was not necessary to link military and civilian pay and that the action would “divert critical resources” from other programs.

“The Congress, the General Accounting Office and numerous experts inside and outside of government recognize the critical challenge confronting the federal government and its ability to recruit and retain employees. With increasing competition from the private sector for skilled workers, and with a projection that as many as 53 percent of federal employees will be eligible for either regular or early retirement over the next few years, OMB is sending the wrong signal at the wrong time in an attempt to defend an indefensible pay raise proposal,” said Kelley.

The full House, voting 426 to 1, approved the bill (H.R. 2299, Transportation and Related Agencies Appropriations for FY 2002) this week with the 4.6 percent pay raise for federal employees intact.