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Washington D.C. – The Senate has approved a 1.9 percent pay increase for federal employees in 2019, a clear rejection of the administration’s proposed pay freeze.

“The National Treasury Employees Union salutes the decisive Senate vote – 92 to 6 – for legislation that includes a modest but important bump in salary for the men and women of the civil service,” said NTEU National President Tony Reardon. “NTEU earlier endorsed legislation for a 3 percent raise, and we are working toward that goal.”

The 1.9 percent raise is part of the so-called “Minibus 2” legislation that combines the 2019 spending plans for Financial Services and General Government; Interior; Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development; and Agriculture.

Similar legislation in the House, however, did not include the pay raise, and NTEU is urging Congress to keep it in the forthcoming compromise. The Senate version is an across-the-board increase of 1.4 percent, plus 0.5 percent in locality pay.

“The federal workforce is made up of middle class families around the country who are just like private sector workers and need their paychecks to keep up with the rising cost of living,” Reardon said. “Congress is right to reassert its control over how the federal workforce is compensated and not allow the White House to disrespect federal employees.”

NTEU supports legislation from Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) to give federal workers a 3 percent pay adjustment next year and will continue to press Congress to provide this higher amount for 2019. The legislation, the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act, is H.R. 4775 and S. 2295.

NTEU represents 150,000 employees at 33 federal agencies and departments.