Home Media Center News Releases

Washington, D.C.—The leader of the nation’s largest independent union of federal employees today called both “wise and fair” action by a key Senate appropriations subcommittee to support a 4.1 percent pay raise for federal civilian employees in 2004. She called on Congress to approve the pay measure, which has already been approved by the House Appropriations Committee.

President Colleen M. Kelley of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) described as “especially gratifying” today’s action on federal pay by the Senate Transportation, Treasury and General Government Subcommittee, coming as it does less than a week after the administration said it would support only a 2.0 percent federal civilian pay raise next year.

“I applaud the Senate Subcommittee for its wisdom in seeing the importance of a fair pay raise for civilian employees,” President Kelley said, “and I urge quick approval of the 4.1 percent pay raise by the full Congress.” NTEU has been the leading voice for federal employees in demanding a fair civilian pay raise.

Last week, President Bush said he continues to support a 2.0 percent pay raise for civilian employees in 2004 while supporting a 4.1 percent average pay increase for members of the military.

“It continues to amaze me that so many political leaders fail to make the connection between competitive public and private sector pay and the government’s ability to attract and retain the high-quality employees agencies need and want,” President Kelley said. “I’m pleased and encouraged that the members of this key Senate subcommittee understand that.”

Kelley also applauded language contained in the same funding bill that would require greater accountability on how agencies are paying for contracting out studies. This language has already been approved by the House Appropriations Committee and would require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to report to the committee on how agencies are paying for their competitive sourcing programs.

OMB is the driving force behind the administration’s effort to contract to the private sector as many as 850,000 federal jobs. President Kelley has been leading the fight against that effort, including the filing of a federal court suit challenging the legality of major changes by OMB in rules covering contracting out that would make it easier for the private sector to gain government work.

As the largest independent federal union, NTEU represents more than 150,000 employees in 29 agencies and departments.