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Federal Daily News

No locality pay hike for 2012

Civilian federal workers will see no increase in locality pay next year, and there will be no new geographic pay areas, according to the report from the president’s Pay Agent released on May 16.

Citing the two-year federal pay freeze enacted in January, the Pay Agent (which consists of the Labor Department secretary and heads of the Office of Management and Budget and Office of Personnel Management) rejected any change in locality pay.

“We do not believe it is appropriate to make substantive changes in the General Schedule locality pay system at this time given the anticipated migration to the use of a new survey methodology, the continuing economic emergency affecting the general welfare, and the recently enacted legislation freezing federal pay in 2011 and 2012,” the report said.

The Pay Agent also rejected a recommendation from the Federal Salary Council for six new metropolitan locality pay areas. The council is made up of federal salary experts and union leaders.

However, the report continued to urge changes in the way that most federal employees are compensated.

“There is a need to consider reforms of the white-collar federal pay system,” the report said. “We have serious concerns about a process that requires a single percentage adjustment in the pay of all white-collar civilian federal employees in each locality pay area without regard to the differing labor markets for major occupational groups.”


 

Reader comments

Tue, Dec 20, 2011 Leaving NC

I regret that I have to leave my federal job that I love due to the pay freeze. My supervisor is denying me opportunity to have part-time employment due to conflict of interest. The only benefit is that the new job is playing 10,000 dollars more in private industry. I started my federal career not because of money, but when I have to make decision on how to feed my family and provide health care with increasing rates leaves me no other options but to leave. Sorry to all the US citizens who counted on the safety that I provided but i must feed my family.

Mon, Sep 19, 2011 Terry South Carolina

Federal reirees and employees have not received a raise in two years, yet insurance premium have steadily gone up, therefore reducing the net pay; not to mention gas, food, property taxes and everything else. I don't know about anyone else, but my net pay decreased each year due to increase in insurance premium. We, the federal retirees and employees are losing income each year we don't get a raise. Has the Congress gone without a raise, not that it will affect them in any way due to the amount of their salaries and the perks they get for being in office. We, the little person suffer the most due to decisions that are made from the top. Can we cut cost in other areas rather than punish the little person? Thank you

Thu, May 19, 2011

Like thousands of others in the downturn I am about to lose my home. No pay raise, no help. At that point I have no reason to stay here. I can go look for another job. I probably will...

Thu, May 19, 2011 VISN 1 Connecticut

Being a hardworking federal employee I can't help but to feel like we are being punished for being civilians. With the price of everything going up gas food clothes etc. why freeze our pay we have the same bills and expenses as everyone else? Instead of feeling like I'm appreciated for the hard work I do I am considering going back to the private hospital. At least there you get rewarded for the work you do and regardless of what you may have heard about federal employees make more than the private sector employees the pay is not all that different.

Wed, May 18, 2011

At least there is no talk about reducing the locality pay.

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