Government affairs

Legislative Updates

FAIR Act reintroduced; would increase wages for federal employees

Today, Rep. Gerald Connolly (D-MA) and Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) reintroduced the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act (H.R. 4775 and S. 2295) in the House and Senate as they have every year since 2014. Since Fiscal Year 2011, the federal-postal community has given more than $180 billion in the form of cuts to pay, benefits and salaries. This bill would provide a three percent increase in pay for federal employees for FY 2019.

H.R. 4775, which was introduced by Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) with 23 co-sponsors, would provide a three percent statutory pay raise to federal workers (compared to the 3.2 percent called for in his previous bill), plus one percent in lost locality pay starting in 2019 (compared to 1.2 percent in his previous bill), totaling a four percent pay increase.

"For too long Republicans in Congress have treated the federal workforce like a national piggy bank. They've endured three years of pay freezes, a government shutdown, sequestration cuts, furloughs, and a mindless across-the-board hiring freeze,” said Congressman Connolly. “And to make matters even worse, the President has treated federal employees like his own rhetorical punching bag - hurling insults and falsehoods. Yet, despite this increasingly challenging environment, our federal employees continue to serve with dedication and distinction every day. They deserve better. The FAIR Act is step towards recognizing their contributions and providing fair and just compensation."

In the Senate. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and seven co-sponsors introduced a similar bill that calls for a four percent pay increase in 2019.

“Whether they manage fisheries for NOAA or keep our airports safe as part of the TSA, federal workers in every part of this country and around the world protect and serve the American people,” said Senator Schatz. “This legislation allows us to right the wrongs from furloughs, sequestration, and pay freezes by giving these hardworking public servants the raise they deserve.”

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