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Washington D.C.-- In the very same week that Congress plans steps to increase the salary of the President, the House will consider legislation that could cut as much as $5,000 a year from the paychecks of U.S. Customs Service officers.

The legislation, H.R. 1833, scheduled for a House vote this week calls for limiting the night pay differential for front line drug enforcement personnel.

National Treasury Employee Union (NTEU) National President Robert M. Tobias said the bill could mean a cut in current pay of $5,000 a year? a 12 percent pay cut for a Customs Inspector or Canine Enforcement Officer who makes $40,000 a year.

"Night pay compensates Inspectors and Canine Enforcement Officers for the irregular, unusual and frequently changing hours they must work," said Tobias.

He said pay that reflects the responsibilities of the job is necessary to continue to attract and retain the best people at all levels of government.

"Cutting employees' pay will not help the Customs Service attract a dedicated officer corps. In fact, it will exacerbate the recruitment problems the Customs Service already faces. The proof of the commitment of lawmakers to waging an effective war on illegal drugs crossing our borders can be demonstrated by voting against the provision in H.R. 1833 which will cut the pay of those on the nation's front line in the war on drugs," said Tobias.

On top of the pay cut being considered for Customs employees, Tobias said, NTEU continues to press for implementation of the Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act (FEPCA), legislation passed in 1990 designed to close the pay gap between public and private sector workers. He noted no federal pay raise since FEPCA's passage has reflected that called for under its formula and the pay gap today stands at approximately 30 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

"All federal employees deserve to share in the strong economy they have been instrumental in helping to create. With current budget surpluses, pay increases are appropriate at all levels of government. Pay cuts, on the other hand, like those contained in H.R. 1833 for Customs employees, are inappropriate and should be opposed by all fair minded legislators," said Tobias.

The House Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Management, Information and Technology held a hearing today on the president's compensation.