Home Media Center News Releases

Washington, D.C.—An influential congressional leader, Rep. Steny Hoyer (D-MD), reiterated his firm support for a 3.1 percent raise for civilian federal employees today at an event organized by a chapter of the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU).

The Senate and House of Representatives both have approved language in their respective fiscal 2006 Transportation-Treasury spending bills that would provide the same 3.1 percent pay raise for federal civilian workers as was approved for members of the military.

The Maryland Democrat acknowledged the instrumental role NTEU and its members played in securing bipartisan support for pay parity at a lunchtime event organized by NTEU Chapter 65 (Internal Revenue Service National Office). Rep. Hoyer is not only a key member of the Transportation, Treasury and Housing Subcommittee, but he also serves as the House Democratic Whip.

“With the Transportation-Treasury bill slated for final committee action this week, Rep. Hoyer’s statement of support for federal employees comes at a critical juncture,” said NTEU President Colleen M. Kelley. “While the overwhelming majority of Congress has recognized the vital contributions of federal employees by supporting pay parity, the White House continues to push for a 2.3 percent pay increase for civilian employees and a Republican senator has introduced legislation to freeze federal pay in 2006. It is clear that the battle for a 3.1 percent raise is still very much underway.”

Even with the passage of pay parity, Rep. Hoyer said there is a long way to go before compensation for federal employees is on par with private sector counterparts.

NTEU President Kelley agreed, saying, “The Federal Employee Pay Comparability Act, signed into law in 1990, was supposed to close the pay gap between comparable jobs in the federal and private sectors over a 10-year period. That period has passed and not only does this wide disparity persist but federal employees have to fight for a decent pay raise. The men and women doing the important work of this country deserve more than that.”

NTEU is the largest independent federal union, representing 150,000 employees in 30 agencies and departments.