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Washington, D.C.—The National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) endorsed two pieces of legislation that would give federal employees a 3.8 percent pay raise. The companion bills, known as the Federal Adjustment of Income Rate (FAIR) Act, were introduced in the Senate and the House today.

The Senate bill is co-sponsored by Sens. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and Ben Cardin (D-Md.). In the House, the legislation was introduced by Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-Va.) with dozens of co-sponsors.

“We applaud Sens. Schatz and Cardin and Rep. Connolly for proposing to give federal employees a fair pay raise,” NTEU National President Colleen M. Kelley said. “After salary freezes, furloughs and a government shutdown, it is time for federal employee pay to get back on track. These two bills would also help narrow the widening disparity between federal and private-sector pay.”

After their pay was frozen in 2011, 2012 and 2013, federal employees were given a 1 percent increase in 2014 and again in 2015. Kelley noted that such modest pay raises are not keeping pace with rising costs. She reiterated that the federal workforce has already contributed $159 billion toward deficit reduction through the three-year pay freeze, the last two years of lower raises than called for under the law, and increased pension contributions—sacrifices no one else had to make.

Over the past five years, federal employees have only received the equivalent of a 2 percent pay raise. “Federal employee pay continues to lag behind that of the private sector,” Kelley said. “It is time to recognize that federal workers are skilled and dedicated public employees and that they deserve a fair pay raise.”

Low federal pay has other consequences. Insufficient pay coupled with continuing agency budget cuts are harming the ability of federal agencies to meet their missions and attract and keep the talented employees needed to do the work the American people expect, the NTEU leader said.

NTEU is the largest independent federal union, representing 150,000 employees in 31 agencies and departments.