Biden's proposed pay bump for federal workers not enough, unions say
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President Biden wants to raise the pay of civilian federal employees by an average of 2% — and workers say that ain't cutting it.
Why it matters: The White House's proposal is much less than the 7.4% pay boost sought by Democrats in Congress.
Driving the news: Federal unions are pushing back, the Washington Post reports.
- The raise would be less than the inflation rate over the past 12 months — 2.9%. It's also less than the proposed military pay raise of 4.5%, the Post notes.
What they're saying: Randy Erwin, president of the National Federation of Federal Employees, said the 2% raise is essentially a "pay cut for federal workers," per the Post. He called it "mystifying."
- Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) are pushing for the 7.4% increase through legislation.
- Connolly told the Post he's disappointed the proposed raise for civilian workers is not on par with the one for military personnel.
The other side: Biden defended the proposal, saying it acknowledges "wage growth in the labor market and fiscal constraints." The White House didn't return Axios' request for comment.
The intrigue: Despite touting the nation's economy as strong, Biden's justification for the small pay bump cites a federal law that takes into account national emergencies.
- That law "authorizes me to implement alternative plans for pay adjustments," Biden wrote, the Post reports, adding: "because of 'national emergency or serious economic conditions affecting the general welfare,' I view the increases that would otherwise take effect as inappropriate."
- The letter doesn't specify an emergency or serious economic condition.
But without Biden's action, the average pay raise would've automatically been over 25.7%, according to the Office of Management and Budget.