NARFE to Congress: End Shutdown, Approve Modest Federal Pay Raise

ALEXANDRIA, Va. (January 2, 2019) –  As nine federal departments and agencies enter the 13th day of a partial government shutdown, and in advance of the new session of Congress that begins on January 3, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE) National President Ken Thomas issued the following statement:

“Nearly two weeks into this shutdown, it is past time for Congress and the president to put aside political jabs and reopen shuttered government agencies. With each passing day, the shutdown disrupts both services provided for the American public and the financial security of federal employees.

“It is also time to reverse the president’s federal employee pay freeze. A modest 1.9 percent average pay increase already received broad bipartisan support in Congress. Unfortunately, passage has been held up as part of the government funding negotiations. With the first pay period of 2019 quickly approaching, Congress must act now. This modest pay increase will help prevent federal pay from falling further behind pay for comparable private-sector jobs, and acknowledge the contribution of America’s hardworking federal employees. Allowing the president’s pay freeze to go into effect while many Feds are uncertain when their next paycheck is coming adds insult to injury and shows contempt for the work they do.

“Tomorrow, the House will vote to solve both of these problems. A short-term continuing resolution would reopen the Department of Homeland Security, allowing time for additional negotiations over border security. A six-bill appropriations package would reopen the remaining unfunded departments and agencies, and provide a 1.9 percent average pay increase for the entire federal workforce. I urge the House and Senate to swiftly pass both bills, and the president to sign them.

“Both the shutdown and the pay freeze impose real economic costs on federal employees and our country. Both undermine the effectiveness of the work our government does – from ensuring the national defense and homeland security to safeguarding taxpayer dollars from fraud – by damaging its ability to recruit and retain a highly qualified and talented workforce. I urge Congress to end both.”
 

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The National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association (NARFE), one of America’s oldest and largest associations, was founded in 1921 with the mission of protecting the earned rights and benefits of America’s active and retired federal workers. The largest federal employee/retiree organization, NARFE represents the interests of 5 million current and future federal annuitants, spouses and survivors.

CONTACT:
Jill Talley
NARFE Deputy Director, Public Relations
jtalley@narfe.org
(703)838-7760