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Any federal workers here?

post #1 of 17
9/1/09 at 7:10pm
Thread Starter 
So...how is that "change" thing looking now?

Federal Employees Pay Raise reduced

On the other hand, as things stand now, you're better off than those collecting Social Security, who, by the current formula, will get no raise this year and may actually see their checks go down due to the increase in MediCare premiums. Congress isn't supposed to mess with it (the formula law is in place because they used to demagogue it every year), but my guess is that the SS recipients will end up getting the same raise as the federal employees.
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post #2 of 17
9/1/09 at 7:32pm
I am, but I have no idea how, or if, this affects the USPS and our CBAs. I do expect us to take major hits when the current contract expires (I think that is in 2010). Our raises (step increases) are based on time in service.
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post #3 of 17
9/2/09 at 7:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
So...how is that "change" thing looking now?
I don't get the reference to the "change" thing other than it is a typical conservative jab. But I don't see the relevance to this story, maybe I am missing something.

From all reports that I heard at the beginning of the recession it could take awhile before we are in full recovery so some tightening of the belt has to happen in all walks of life. In my area Montgomery county teachers had to forgo COLA increases this year. Maryland government employees are taking mandatory forloughs. It is not looking good for me to get a raise. I know of many industries that are tightening thier belts in this economy not just the federal government or should they be exempt? They are at least getting something, it may no be on pace as COLA but it is better than nothing or being laid off right now. I think the military should get a better raise to put them are par with civilian but other than that it is not like the private sector is going to do much better from people I talked to this year. Maybe next year.
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post #4 of 17
9/2/09 at 7:45am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by peachytoday View Post
I don't get the reference to the "change" thing other than it is a typical conservative jab. But I don't see the relevance to this story, maybe I am missing something.
The White House specifically requested the reduction to the COLA.
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post #5 of 17
9/2/09 at 7:52am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mrblanche View Post
The White House specifically requested the reduction to the COLA.
I still don't get the reference to "change". These things happen in a recession. Frankly it a tough position to be in having to do something that is not going to be popular.
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post #6 of 17
9/2/09 at 7:54am
Thread Starter 
Most of us didn't get a lot of the jabs at Bush or Clinton, either. Just roll with it.
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post #7 of 17
9/2/09 at 8:07am
I'm not a federal worker, but I do work for a public university, and on April 1, they announced that no one, except those who are promoted or given new job responsibilities, will be receiving a raise this year, and potentially next. That was a hard blow, but to send out the notice, via email, on April Fool's Day? Pffft.

The kicker for me, is that we don't receive cost of living increases, our pay raises are purely based on performance. What's the point in performing above and beyond if you get nothing out of it? No one else cares.
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post #8 of 17
9/2/09 at 8:16am
As I see it, if President Bush hadn't believed we could have guns and butter, and we'd actually been paying for his wars as we went along, well, perhaps things might hav been different now....maybe it takes brains and courage to do something unpopular?

I'm in a private corporation - we also are not getting raises this year. Then again, given that this is a recession, hey....I guess reasonable people do understand reason sometimes.
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post #9 of 17
9/2/09 at 8:35am
Thread Starter 
For all practical purposes, hasn't had a raise in over 3 years at her job.
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post #10 of 17
9/2/09 at 8:49am
If it means the difference between losing my job and keeping it, taking a small pay cut would be the lesser of two evils. What worries me the most with the postal service is the large amount of excessing going on around the country. So far our plant has been unscathed but gloom and doom is headed our way over the next month or two. The problem is that there are only so many places to excess employees to. The powers that be (not a bright bunch) have offered a $15,000 buyout as an incentive to get people who are eligible to retire out the door, and for any other APWU members or mailhandlers who want to resign. Unfortunately, the offer ends before this month is out, and we won't find out until November (at the latest) how many will be getting excessed at our plant. I can't carry because of my back, and I don't want to start over in another craft. If I knew now, I could decide whether or not to take it, then concentrate on school full time for a while. We still have a no layoff clause but the general consensus among the employees is that management will push to have the clause eliminated to open the door for a reduction in force (RIF). The only "good" thing about something like that is I have some protection because of my status as a veteran. The bad part is that a lot of good people would be out of work and I hate to see people lose jobs.

I think I heard something about losing our COLAs too, I'll have to double check on that.
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post #11 of 17
9/2/09 at 9:03am
Quote:
Originally Posted by emrldsky View Post
I'm not a federal worker, but I do work for a public university, and on April 1, they announced that no one, except those who are promoted or given new job responsibilities, will be receiving a raise this year, and potentially next. That was a hard blow, but to send out the notice, via email, on April Fool's Day? Pffft.

The kicker for me, is that we don't receive cost of living increases, our pay raises are purely based on performance. What's the point in performing above and beyond if you get nothing out of it? No one else cares.

The point? The point is your performance shouldn't be because of $$$, IMO.

We aren't getting raises either, in fact, we are down to 4-day work weeks so we have all taken a 20% cut in pay. But, you know what, I am thankful and blessed to still be working and my job performance will not be affected.

Everyone is struggling, struggle can be good, it make us all appreciate what we have and I am NOT talking about $$$.
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post #12 of 17
9/2/09 at 9:49am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ckblv View Post
The point? The point is your performance shouldn't be because of $$$, IMO.

We aren't getting raises either, in fact, we are down to 4-day work weeks so we have all taken a 20% cut in pay. But, you know what, I am thankful and blessed to still be working and my job performance will not be affected.

Everyone is struggling, struggle can be good, it make us all appreciate what we have and I am NOT talking about $$$.
I agree with that, but at the same time, it's hard to be a top performer when the majority of your job relies on OTHERS performing. Our work area is so cynical due to many reasons and the announcement really hit a lot of people hard. Not only that, but our managers are forced to rank their employees in a top and bottom fashion. Someone HAS to be a low performer, no matter what.

Am I thankful I have a job? YES! Do I have to like my workplace? Nope.
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post #13 of 17
9/2/09 at 10:11am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Essayons89 View Post
If it means the difference between losing my job and keeping it, taking a small pay cut would be the lesser of two evils.
I think that sums it up perfectly, and it's a situation millions are in right now, whether employed by the government, public or private companies, or self-employed.
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post #14 of 17
9/2/09 at 10:38am
I'm not a federal worker, but I work on a government contract and deal with federal employees every day. We were told back in March that we wouldn't get raises this year. Even when I got a promotion there wasn't a pay increase, just and increase in workload . The decisions are made by the contractor based on the money they receive from the government. But, I didn't complain. I know things are tight all around.

What I think the government could do to save money is to do away with the automatic 1% contributions into the federal retirement plan (TSP). I have no problem at all with the government matching employee contributions, but even if the employee isn't (or has ever) contributed to their plan (similar to a 401K) the government puts 1% of their base pay into their account every payday. This money doesn't come out of their paychecks, but from the government (ie, tax payers). That doesn't sound like much but with over 3 million accounts it adds up. It's not unusual to get phone calls from people who have retired from a government job and have them be surprised to know that the government was so kind to put away $15,000-$20,000 for them, on top of the OPM retirement which is separate. Must be nice.
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post #15 of 17
9/2/09 at 10:50am
I'm a Fed worker. I figured as much. When they decided that retirement would not get the COLA's for 2 yrs, I honestly didn't expect us to get a raise.

Of course, we will probably still lose money because the health benefits will rise. For almost every year, at least the pay increase would cover that and I'd come out a LITTLE ahead of the game.

Not sure what's gonna happen when everyone is forced into the government health plan (since Obama is lying about we can keep it - we won't - not the way its written right now - you only keep it for 5 yrs - then you will have to go under the government plan). Then all H will break loose but it will be too late!
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post #16 of 17
9/2/09 at 10:59am
I work in the oil and gas industry. Not only did we not get a raise this year we were handed a 15% cut in pay.

The fed workers don't get one bit of sympathy from me over a piddling 0.4% reduction in their raise.

BTW - That 0.4% difference translates into a whopping $200 a year for a worker earning $50,000. Poor babies.
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post #17 of 17
9/7/09 at 11:17am
I am not a federal worker but the company I work for is contracted by the Dept of Education. I just had my annual review last week and did well. All exceeds or meets expectations. My supervisor didn't know if a raise is in the equation as he has not been told.

Most of the employees where I work, it wouldn't matter as they are on a piece rate. They get paid per call and based on their "tier'. I, on the other hand, am hourly and it DOES matter. I just hope I do get a raise. The company I work for doesn't give cost of living raises.
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