4/24/08: NTEU National President Colleen Kelley today wrote to every member of the Senate Personnel Subcommittee lending NTEU’s support to the Military Coalition’s testimony requesting a 3.9 percent pay raise for military personnel. She pointed out that, like the military, federal civilian workers serve their country faithfully in defending the homeland, in keeping our borders safe and our government systems operational. Like the military we are also requesting a 3.9 percent pay raise, which amounts to one-half percent above the ECI. Review a copy of Kelley's letter by clicking here, Pay Raise Letter.

In support of pay parity for pay raises for federal employees and military personnel, NTEU has lent support for the military pay requests. Both groups are asking Congress for a 3.9 percent increase for 2009, and both groups deserve it.

The Federal Employees Pay Comparability Act was enacted in 1990 to close the gap between federal and private sector pay and has never been fully implemented. Today, the pay gap stands at nearly 23 percent. A pay raise of 3.9 percent is a modest step toward closing that gap.