We’re back! The overwhelming interest in the breaking pay freeze news was a little more than our servers could handle, but all is well now. There’s been an awful lot of reaction to Obama’s announcement in the last few hours, so here goes:
- AFGE President John Gage reiterated his anger and disappointment in Obama’s decision during a conference call with reporters this afternoon. But while NTEU earlier today pledged to try to fight the freeze in Congress, Gage was less optimistic. “The chances are slim” that the freeze could be overturned, Gage said.
- But the pay freeze isn’t absolute. Office of Management and Budget Deputy Director Jeffrey Zients earlier today said promotions to higher GS grades would still continue, and OMB confirmed to me that regularly scheduled step increases will also continue. Gage said that takes a bit of the sting out of the pay freeze announcement.
- NARFE, NFFE and the Partnership for Public Service each issued their own statements emphasizing the importance of federal employees, and expressing concern that a freeze could cost the government important talent. “Across the board freezes or cuts are rarely the best management choices, because they avoid the real evaluation that ought to be done,” Partnership President Max Stier said. “We urge the Administration and Congress to review the current compensation system and devise one that is more market-sensitive, so Americans can be assured its workforce is appropriately compensated.”
- Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry issued a one-sentence statement shortly before 2 p.m.: “Federal employees work hard for our nation each day, and this sacrifice the President asked them to make today is significant and emblematic of the shared sacrifice we all will have to make if we are to bring the deficit to heel and preserve an economic future for our children.
- Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., said the freeze is “long overdue,” and called on the administration to go further to cut waste and improper payments.
- Chris Edwards at the Cato Institute is feeling pretty happy today. His blog post is titled “Obama Adopts Cato Pay Proposal” and notes that he’s been pushing this issue for four years. He told Federal Times this is a good first step in tackling the deficit issue, and hopes this will build trust between Obama and the House’s new Republican leadership so they can make tougher choices down the road.
- Rush Limbaugh was not nearly so gracious: “Big whoop.”
- GovLoop has created a Facebook page called “It’s Okay, Freeze My Pay.” “Rather than complain, we’d like to make a pledge,” the page says. “I don’t work for government for the money. I do it to make a difference. Will freezing my pay hurt my family a bit? It sure will…but that’s a sacrifice I’m willing to make for my country. It’s a sacrifice I’ve always made. That’s why I’m a public servant.” But seeing as it had only 26 “likes” as of 4 p.m., it doesn’t seem like that slogan is catching on just yet. (H/t GovExec)
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Does this pay freeze apply to postal employees??
IF you FREEZE OUR PAY THEN ALSO FREEZE HEALTH INSURANCE. Our insurance is getting worst for most familes so DON”T let the Heath Insurance Get a raise either. .
does this freeze apply to senators and represenatives?
Rescind the pay for the appointees, Reps and Senators for the next couple of years, freeze our insurance premiums, increase telework, stop unnecessarily leasing buildings, combine personnel that must be present to buildings already owned by the gov and most importantly – freeze contracts/contractor pay and create parity among real feds and contractor counterparts…then some may take this with less grumbling.
Freeze Government Employees, but not the military. Let’s see…..I am a DoD civilian and currently deployed (I volunteered) to the Middle East and wear a uniform, carry a weapon and fight right next to soldiers. I get no hazard pay, combat pay and my pay is not tax exempt. Now you want to freeze my pay. Don’t ask for me to volunteer anymore and you may not get many more to either. Way to go to show support to the civilians fighting the war.
I have no problem with a pay freeze. It will hurt a little, but not as much as many who have lost their jobs. The only issue that irks me is our elected representatives continue to receive their pay raises. Congress has stated that the federal government should lead the way and be examples of our collective effort to balance the budget. Well, leaders lead from the front. Our elected representatives are not leaders. They are hypocrites and followers. Their pay should also be frozen.
@Keith. Really???? Thats funny, because as a Soldier I spent 2 plus years in that country “fighting” and didn’t see one civilian along side of me or on convoys. Don’t come here and lie. Yah, you might carry a weapon, but I doubt you are a front line personnel. Besides, those days are over in Iraq anyway (you didnt say Iraq, but Middle East. So, your in Saudi or Kuwait?. The bottom line is you volunteered. I was “voluntold”. Huge difference. You want the extra money, then go the distance and serve in the military. All you stupid civilians do is clog up the theater anyway with your shitty attitudes towards Soldiers. Yah, you may not get danger pay, but you live so much nicer than us. Just leave the wars to us big guy and take your pay freeze like a man.