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HOYER: FEDERAL EMPLOYEES ONE STEP CLOSER TO FAIR PAY ADJUSTMENT

WASHINGTON, DC – House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD), a senior member of the House Transportation-Treasury Appropriations Subcommittee, released the following statement tonight after the House passed the Fiscal Year 2004 Transportation, Treasury, and Independent Agencies Appropriations Act.  The bill contained a 4.1% pay adjustment for federal civilian employees, including blue collar employees, providing them with pay parity with military employees:

 “I am very pleased that my House colleagues recognized the importance of placing our federal employees on equal footing with military employees and put them one step closer to receiving a fair pay adjustment.  Pay parity is a principle that Congress consistently follows as a matter of fairness and it is also an effective method of ensuring that we retain quality federal employees.  A fair pay adjustment is especially urgent at this time when federal employees are working so hard to keep America safe.

 “Last week, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Treasury and General Government also voted in support of federal worker pay parity.  This should be a clear signal to President Bush that he needs to re-examine his pledge to not support a fair federal employee pay adjustment.

“Ignoring the efforts and dedication of federal employees by fighting pay adjustments demonstrates a callous indifference to federal workers across this nation.  President Bush should be less focused on providing tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans and bonuses to political appointees, and more interested in the well-being of the hundreds of thousands of employees responsible for safeguarding our borders, our water and food supply, and our health. 

 “It’s my sincere hope that the language providing for the 4.1% pay adjustment will be contained in the conference report.  Federal workers go to work every day to make this country safer and better for all our citizens. We shouldn’t shovel the cost of a war and expensive tax cuts onto their shoulders.”

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