FMA DISAPPOINTED IN HOUSE COMMITTEE'S FAILURE TO SUPPORT PARITY IN 2010 ANNUAL PAY RAISE - July 8, 2009

Appropriators endorse disparate pay for military, civil service

Alexandria, VA - The Federal Managers Association (FMA) is deeply disappointed by the House Appropriations Committee's recommendation to provide members of the civilian federal workforce a lower pay increase than members of the Armed Forces. Appropriators dismissed decades of legislative precedent by issuing their support for dissimilar pay raises, and FMA urges reconsideration of the proposal when the full House votes on the measure.

The House Appropriations Committee yesterday endorsed providing civilian federal employees a two percent pay raise in 2010 as part of the FY10 Financial Services Appropriations bill. This decision comes after the full House of Representatives approved a 3.4 percent pay increase for members of the military as part of the Fiscal Year 2010 National Defense Authorization Act, H.R. 2647. The motion to dismiss 21 years of legislative precedent by backing disparate pay increases fails to recognize the invaluable contributions made each day by members of the civil service, many of whom work alongside their military counterparts. FMA remains committed to working with Members of the House and Senate to once again reward these public servants in a manner on par with the Armed Forces.

FMA National President Darryl Perkinson remarked, "As our nation struggles to cope with the economic recession, we are acutely aware that sacrifices must be made. By offering civilian federal employees a pay raise unequal to that afforded the military, however, Congress and the Administration are expressing their belief that the work conducted by these public servants on a daily basis does not deserve the recognition conferred upon the Armed Forces. This oversight occurs despite the fact civilian employees serve on battlefields overseas, conduct scientific research leading to breakthroughs in the fight against disease and provide products and services the American people depend on everyday. I respectfully ask Members of Congress to demand pay parity when the measure is considered on the House floor."

In February, President Obama followed the model espoused by the Bush administration when he proposed disparate pay raises for the civil service and military in 2010. The President requested Congress provide a 2 percent raise for civilian employees and a 2.9 percent raise for the Armed Forces.

Both the House and Senate had previously expressed their support for pay parity in their budget resolutions for fiscal year 2010. The Federal Managers Association is extremely concerned that the House Appropriations Committee has disregarded the policy set forth by the House-approved budget resolution.