Government Workers Salary Freeze "Deeply Resented" by Workers

[longfisher]

Tut tut and ta ta.

Who cares if the darned government workers don't like having their legislatively mandated raises suspended for a while.

Perhaps they've not been listening to the news but even before the Great Recession dollar-adjusted wages in the U.S. for the middle class have remained at approximately 1970's levels and after the recession there has been real, demonstrable, in-your-face wage erosion of approximately 20% on average across the nation (with the notable exceptions of Washinton D.C. area wages).

Talks about entitlement mentalities.

LF

[clt_capt]

If congress doesn't vote to decline their raise, they will automatically get a raise.... Guess how the government workers will feel then...

[longfisher]

If congress doesn't vote to decline their raise, they will automatically get a raise.... Guess how the government workers will feel then...

My guess is they'll feel smug as all get out knowing that the fix is eternally in for their wages.

Were it not for my despising the government at virtually all levels and in virtually all capacities I'd consider working in a government job if but for the job and wage stability. There's an opening now in Houston for a laboratory manager for their drug testing lab in the Border Patrol (now Dept. Homeland Security, I guess). Pays really good too, better than what I'm making now as an agent.

But I just can't bring myself to complete the application. It would be like betraying all that I believe in and capitulating.

Yuk.

LF

[marine4003]

I find it absolutly amazing that no one looks at all the "add-on's" that drive up the cost of most bills two fold..or the insane spending on "contract" jobs..GAO reported most construction jobs for the govt. are a minimum of double that of the private sector. screw the fed workers..suck it up like the rest of us.

[Glenn W]

American's will find any excuse to nit pick and make a mountain out of a mole hill. As I undertand it, Civilian Federal workers were slated to receive a 1.4% pay increase in 2011. For a Ferdal worker earning $50,000/ yr that comes out to be $58/mth before taxes or about $38/mth after taxes--- that's less than $10/wk.
Granted the Savings to the Federal Deficit will only be a drop in the bucket (about $5 billion next year), but I think it is a good decision. One thing I'm not sure about as far as individual employees are concerned is salary increases due to promotions within a grade or to a new grade. For example, suppose an employee is a GS-9 step 5, I would imagine that employee would still be eligible for step increases such that the employee would still get a raise ( if his grade or step is increased).
The long and short of it is, Federal employees tend to be much more insulted from layoffs and furlows than private sector, State govt., and local Govt workers. I would hope that most recognize this and are somewhat thankful for the fact that they have a job at all in this economy before they start whinning about the loss of a 1.4% raise.

[hubris 1]

American's will find any excuse to nit pick and make a mountain out of a mole hill. As I undertand it, Civilian Federal workers were slated to receive a 1.4% pay increase in 2011. For a Ferdal worker earning $50,000/ yr that comes out to be $58/mth before taxes or about $38/mth after taxes--- that's less than $10/wk.
Granted the Savings to the Federal Deficit will only be a drop in the bucket (about $5 billion next year), but I think it is a good decision. One thing I'm not sure about as far as individual employees are concerned is salary increases due to promotions within a grade or to a new grade. For example, suppose an employee is a GS-9 step 5, I would imagine that employee would still be eligible for step increases such that the employee would still get a raise ( if his grade or step is increased).
The long and short of it is, Federal employees tend to be much more insulted from layoffs and furlows than private sector, State govt., and local Govt workers. I would hope that most recognize this and are somewhat thankful for the fact that they have a job at all in this economy before they start whinning about the loss of a 1.4% raise.

Its about perception! Once again you miss the point. I will explain it this way. The govt invented the back of the bus, which they reserved for blacks. Now, they got there a half a second later but...........it wasnt what they wanted, was it?
So, despite all your statistics Glenn W, it doesnt matter.....its about spin politics. Stop boring us with all your facts and figures. Real Americans want a rope they can hang onto and swing. Your a bore! I could bury you with a teaspoon.

[Glenn W]

What is you point ?-- and I'll ask you again to please quit with your childish personal derailments of threads.

[joeksr]

American's will find any excuse to nit pick and make a mountain out of a mole hill. As I undertand it, Civilian Federal workers were slated to receive a 1.4% pay increase in 2011. For a Ferdal worker earning $50,000/ yr that comes out to be $58/mth before taxes or about $38/mth after taxes--- that's less than $10/wk.
Granted the Savings to the Federal Deficit will only be a drop in the bucket (about $5 billion next year), but I think it is a good decision. One thing I'm not sure about as far as individual employees are concerned is salary increases due to promotions within a grade or to a new grade. For example, suppose an employee is a GS-9 step 5, I would imagine that employee would still be eligible for step increases such that the employee would still get a raise ( if his grade or step is increased).
The long and short of it is, Federal employees tend to be much more insulted from layoffs and furlows than private sector, State govt., and local Govt workers. I would hope that most recognize this and are somewhat thankful for the fact that they have a job at all in this economy before they start whinning about the loss of a 1.4% raise.

Hey Glenn.
I worked for a company that put a hold on "merit" pay increases.
SO,
There was no hold on promotions (step increases) and lots of people got promoted (stepped up) to their level of incompetence. ( forgive any miss spellings) I only have a hi school education.
Then, after a time, they expected those who were promoted to fullfill the obligations of the job. (not a idea) the fertilizer hit the ventilating unit, people were laid off and the company was soon taken over. It's all a game man and we are the losers.
I guess the govt jobs wont be taken over in the near future but might not be a bad idea to put all jobs on the private sector.
Why not let business people run the business and let the politicians play with themselves.
This Country is a BUSINESS after all.


788532]Its about perception! Once again you miss the point. I will explain it this way. The govt invented the back of the bus, which they reserved for blacks. Now, they got there a half a second later but...........it wasnt what they wanted, was it?
So, despite all your statistics Glenn W, it doesnt matter.....its about spin politics. Stop boring us with all your facts and figures. Real Americans want a rope they can hang onto and swing. Your a bore! I could bury you with a teaspoon.[/QUOTE]

Perception ???????
Facts and figures are for people with a brain.
Opinions are for people like you.
I know, dont try to confuse you with any facts, Your mind is already made up, after all, your a greek god in your own mind. I like numbers and reality. Not your reality, I mean the real life reality.
Truth is, the more you post, the more out of touch with any form of reality and intreverted you reveal yourself to be.
And stop with the back of the bus BS. Like you give a fk about anything or anyone but you.

[Manchee]

I don't think that the freeze on cost of living increases is a huge issue and I believe that most reasonable government employees could understand and live with that. But, it is not accurate to say or generalize that all federal employees make a significant amount over that of their private sector counterparts. The longer a person has served and the higher step they are on the GS ladder, the longer they have to wait for a raise. For example, because of my current step....which is a 4, I am not eligible for an increase annually. Physicians in the private sector make more than those that are federal employees as well. It is very difficult to recruit family practice docs as well as those that specialize. Physicians that work in the military hospitals are extremely valuable in that they care for and treat our soldiers and our veterans who served this country. We would like very much to retain them. Maybe Obama can cut out a czar or two!

[hubris 1]

What is you point ?-- and I'll ask you again to please quit with your childish personal derailments of threads.

Because you talk like a regular govt bureaucrat. You always have a set of facts and figures to match your un-hinged response. I may ask that you stop ruining every thread with your version of the truth. Actually, for a 12th grade graduate joekser hits it more on the head. That is exactly what they will do. Promote into another jerk off job. And spend more money. If its always so little money and savings glenn, why is the govt spending so much? Now go eat your rabbit for lunch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=scbqkWwrBF4



Rick is full of facts and figures too.