AFGE Wins Union Election to Represent DHA Headquarters Workers
May 23, 2022
AFGE is now the exclusive representative to more than 2,200 employees at the Defense Health Agency headquarters.
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AFGE Seeks 5.1% Pay Raise for Feds in 2023
January 18, 2022
Categories:
Pay, The Insider
Like all workers in this country, federal employees are experiencing higher costs for housing, food, medical insurance, and other necessities due to wages that have not kept pace with inflation for decades.
But unlike other employees, federal workers depend on Congress for their annual pay raises – and these adjustments in recent years have fallen short.
That’s why we are excited that the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act has been reintroduced in the House by Rep. Gerry Connolly of Virginia and in the Senate by Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii. The bill would provide federal employees with a 5.1% pay raise in 2023.
Here are 3 main reasons why we support the bill:
- It helps address rising inflation
Over the past decade, wages for federal employees have increased by little more than 1.6% a year. This is not enough to keep up with inflation, which hit 7% in December – the highest in 40 years. Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premiums also go up every year. Federal workers are paying nearly 4% more toward their health premiums this year. - It helps with retention and recruitment
The Great Resignation defined 2021 as tens of millions of Americans quit their jobs for better paying ones. To help agencies compete for talent with other employers in the private and public sectors, the federal government must pay its workers more. America can’t afford to have our high-quality workforce continue to fall further behind and risk losing experienced, seasoned experts along with years of training and institutional knowledge. - It shows our support for the workers
Federal employees work hard every day to serve our veterans and active-duty military, protect our skies and safeguard our communities, provide relief to victims of natural disasters, and ensure the safety of our food, air, and water. For the past two years, they have continued to serve the public amidst a global pandemic that has claimed the lives of nearly 850,000 Americans, including thousands of their coworkers.
Passing this legislation will show federal workers how much they are valued and respected for the work they do, the hardships they have endured, and their steadfast commitment to the American people.
Our union looks forward to working with Congress to ensure passage of the FAIR Act this year.
Recent AFGE News:
AFGE Calls for More Hiring at VA Following Senate Hearing
May 23, 2022
The VA needs to improve hiring processes and hire thousands of new employees.
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AFGE Council 216 Files 2 More Unfair Labor Practice Charges Against EEOC for Unilaterally Imposing Reentry
May 23, 2022
AFGE Council 216 representing Equal Employment Opportunity Commission employees have filed two more Unfair Labor Practice complaints against the agency.
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