Federal Employee Pay Freeze issue: Something has come from this proposal

[CreekDog]

It's given some a chance here to take shots at Federal Employees, who for some reason seem to be taking blame for the raises, job security, health insurance or whatever that congress has voted to give them.

Just something I've noticed.

If you don't like something, how about blaming those responsible for it rather than those who really don't have any say in the matter.

And except for Postal Workers and other isolated cases, Federal Employees cannot bargain for wages and benefits --that's at the sole discretion of Congress.

And they are not allowed to strike.

[geckosfeet]

1. Personally I think they are getting the shaft. Whatever we 'save' by not giving them

raises will probably go to fund tax breaks and bailouts for corporations and the wealthy. Not to mention defense spending.

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. Not to mention that damn few federal employees ring in at higher than

middle class incomes - sure, you may be talking about a $100k department head, but you are also talking about the 500 $22k schmucks that work for him.

I wonder how many federal employees are - or will be - on food stamps.

[tyne]

2. Forgoing raises for

two years in this economy is NOT TAKING SHOTS. FFS, let's get a grip.

[CreekDog]

3. That's not the issue...the issue is some people are being nasty towards Feds

who actually have little say in what congress will ultimately decide to pay them.

and like i said yesterday, a Fed I talked to said she'd be happy to give up her raises in exchange for continued unemployment benefits. but she was dismayed that the raises were offered with nothing to help the American people in return.

[polichick]

5. She has a right to be "dismayed" - the prez used them for a cheap ploy. nt

[geckosfeet]

6. Spot on. Eroding middle class support and the middle class as a concession to the pubs.

Lets see how far the pubs move on those tax cuts now. I predict 0, or they push for even deeper cuts for the wealthy.

[tblue37]

13. We instructors here at Kansas University haven't seen a raise in two years, and we

won't get one this year, either. It's a pretty common situation these days, I am afraid.

[budkin]

7. Government employees are all lazy and sleep on the job... and their work sucks

So sayeth the GOP!

[glitch]

8. It's a cheap ploy to attack the underdog. Govt employees have been easy shots since Reagan.

Quite frankly a new depth.

[TZ]

9. You know that I was a Fed. Contractor

For awhile and so I know quite a bit about Federal Workers so let me say some things. First of all there really are lazy no good idiots employed by the govt that are nearly impossible to get rid of- it's this type that got my boss at NIH fired and ran me off because I worked hard and made them look bad. But there are tons of middle class workers who are good at their jobs but don't make tons of money. But what is being overlooked here is that in the last 5 years almost all new govt workers come through CONTRACTORS. Whose pay rates are independent of the govt. So there are TONS of Feds ( especially at NIH, FDA, and others at HHS) who are totally unaffected by this pay freeze. I actually think this is a bit of a dog n pony show for the Republicans... Who really wanted pay cuts, not just freezes. Personally, Congress should cut their salaries in half if you ask me because despite what some think you CAN feed your family on $100,000 a year

[flpab]

10. I am a federal employee and not a lazy no good idiot

I bring home tops 500.00 a week and work hard for my money. I was going to get less than 1% increase this year so big deal. I work in a big old boys club and as women we are still second rate. I work with others that are very bitter about how we are treated but yes, I am thankful for a job. I feel like we are being the scapegoat. Tax the frickin rich.

[OhioBlue]

12. I was kind of thinking about that - foregoing a 1% raise

for 2 years wouldn't seem like a big deal to me either and I bring home less than you. But pay cuts or raises in insurance (which is almost inevitable at my employer) would/will hurt. Do you think perhaps the President preempted the Republicans plan to cut wages and increase health insurance costs?

[QC]

11. Some people got tired of shtting on teachers and decided to broaden their horizons a bit.

That's one explanation.

The other cannot be posted.