2020 was tough for everyone, but it would have been impossible for most Americans without federal and D.C. government workers showing up every day to serve and protect the American public from the COVID-19 pandemic – all while risking their own health and that of their families.
And that is not to mention the other challenges facing feds the last few years: Pay gaps and damage done to employees’ finances because of the furloughs, government shutdowns, and tiny adjustments that failed to keep up with inflation.
One of the easiest things Congress can do to show they value the outstanding work done by the federal workforce is to give them the 3.2% pay raise they deserve.
AFGE supports the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act that would do just that. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives by Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-Va., on Jan. 21 and in the Senate by Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, on March 3.
“AFGE thanks Senator Schatz and Congressman Connolly for reintroducing the FAIR Act,” said AFGE President Everett Kelley. “During the last year, federal employees have continued to work on the front lines of a global pandemic that has taken the lives of over 500,000 fellow Americans, selflessly serving our veterans and active-duty military, protecting our skies and borders, providing relief to victims of natural disasters, and ensuring the safety of our food, air, and water.”
“In addition to restoring living standards and helping retain and recruit high-quality federal workers, the FAIR Act will show these front-line heroes how much they are valued and respected for their work, the hardships they have endured, and the steadfast loyalty they have demonstrated to the American public,” he added.
In another action aimed at frightening and confusing federal employees, President Trump last week issued an executive order targeting union contracts in the federal government.
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AFGE and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) filed suit against the Trump administration, challenging efforts to politicize the civil service through illegal executive orders.
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AFGE urges federal employees not to take the so-called ‘deferred resignation’ offer being promoted by Elon Musk, because President Trump may not even have the authority to make such an offer, and federal workers who resign may not get paid.
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