Federal Daily - September 2, 2009

Obama Announces Plan to Trim Civilian Pay Raise

Citing the economic downturn and the skyrocketing federal budget, President Obama on Aug. 31 sent Congress a letter announcing his intention to trim the Jan. 1 pay raise scheduled for most federal employees from 2.4 percent to 2 percent. In his letter, Obama cited Title 5 of the U.S. Code, which he said authorizes him to implement an alternative pay plan if he judges the pay adjustments to be inappropriate due to “national emergency or serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare.” Obama claimed that such an emergency as defined in that law has existed since 9/11. Obama also noted that “few would disagree that our country is facing serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare,” and that “growth in federal requirements is straining the federal budget.” But, in the days since the announcement, several federal employees’ unions have strongly disagreed with the president’s call for reducing federal pay increases. “Bringing federal pay and benefit practices more in line with the private sector would in fact require a hefty pay increase for federal workers,” William R. Dougan, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), told Federal Daily. “Federal workers do their part to keep the federal budget down every day when they accept substantially less compensation to do the same work as their counterparts in the private sector." To see more, go to: www.nteu.org or www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Letter-from-the-President-to-the-Speaker-of-the-House-8/31/09/.

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DoD Names Suicide Prevention Task Force

DoD on Aug. 31 named the individuals who will serve on the DoD Task Force on the Prevention of Suicide by Members of the Armed Forces. The congressionally mandated task force’s mission will be to address suicide trends and work on methods to update prevention and education programs. Last year, the DoD Task Force on Mental Health estimated 38 percent of active-duty soldiers and 50 percent of National Guard who have served in Iraq or Afghanistan reported mental health issues. The new task force consists of DoD and non-DoD experts, including at least one representative each from the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps, and one family member with a background in working with military families, DoD said. “One servicemember suicide is too many, and DoD is taking a proactive and comprehensive approach toward prevention, with efforts to address the stigma of psychological health issues, reduce barriers to care and research best practices,” said Ellen Embrey, who is performing the duties of assistant secretary of defense for health affairs. The task force is slated to present its findings and recommendations to the secretary of defense within 12 months.  To
see more, go to: www.defenselink.mil/releases/release.aspx?
releaseid=12941.

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