Aldeer.com Forums Alabama Deer Talk Aldeer General Forum Federal Employee proposals

In this tough environment, lawmakers created a �Super Committee� when they resolved the debt-ceiling crisis over the summer. Below is a breakdown of what the Super Committee is and the consequences its actions will likely have for the government and federal employees. What you really need to know is that this committee may have a very big impact on our professions and your paycheck!



As the Super Committee attempts to slash $1.5 trillion in government spending over the next 10 years, it has become clear that the budgets in ALL federal sectors will be impacted if and when the committee agrees on a plan. They are working with broad strokes, and members have clearly expressed that any proposals will apply across the board to all federal employees. Several proposals that have been floating around include:



Cutting the federal workforce by 10 percent through attrition;

Extending the two-year civilian pay freeze for as much as an additional three years;

Eliminating step increases;

Increasing the Civil Service Retirement System(CSRS) contribution from 7 percent to 10 percent beginning in 2013;

Raising the Federal Employees Retirement System (FERS) contribution by 6.2 percent;

Eliminating FERS for new hires, and creating a defined contribution option to supplement the Thrift Savings Plan;

Limiting the FERS minimum supplement to employees subject to mandatory retirement;

Moving from a high-three to a high-five average salary calculation for retirement benefits; and

Mandating two-week furloughs.



As you can see, federal employees will definitely take a hit.

It's a two-edged sword that cuts both ways. We need to cut government employment and spending, but we must be ready to suffer the consequences.

For example: the MSHA currently hires experienced miners to be mine inspectors. If the salaries and benefits are not comaparable to those in the industry, they will be left to hire inexperienced inspectors from other industries who don't know the technicalities of mining because the miners won't leave to take pay and benefit cuts.

It's similar to the advantages/disadvantages of the changes we have made on the state level. Many of the teachers who are leaving due to the changes are probably some of the better teachers. But the cuts in state employment and spending are still needed.

If the federal government don't get a handle on spending, federal employess getting a few extra dollars in their pockets are going to be the least of their worries....

I think they should match what the pay is in the private sector for doing the same job....It is proven that counting benefits, the pay for a federal employee is almost double what it is for a non-federal employee doing the same job...

That's my tax dollars at work....If the federal employee don't agree there is a simple solution....There are millions of people unemployed that would love to have a job with the benefits that a federal employee has...

I'm probably opening up a can of worms but we cannot keep up with this kind of spending pace and have a future...I had to go 3 years before I got a raise and the federal employee gets one every year...

Sorry for venting guys but it has to start somewhere....

I've been a federal govt civilian employee 2x in two states, and both times I was overpaid for the work I was doing when compared to private industry...especially when considering all the federal benifits in addition to high salaries. Just my opinion so don't lay in on me too hard.

So your not anymore?

They are welcome to come try mine any time, I'm eligible for retirement now, but I have to retire at age 56.



NOT TRUE. I went for 3 years without a pay increase from 2006-2009. You need to check your facts. You can't use a BROAD stroke to cover all Federal jobs and/or employees.

Not all federal employees are paid better than the private sector.

That is bullshit and I can show you hundreds of examples. We get tired of this myth being sang as the gospel truth. Prime example is my maintenence guys. They make well below the private sector average for their qualifications. I know this because I have several friends that do the private sector thing and make upwards of $10hr more in big plants. This compared to topped out folks in the gov't.


Benefits are average at best compared to good private sector jobs of equal jobs also. My retirement sucks unless I contribute, which is fine with us but don't say we are given anything. The CSRS was good, the FERS sucks unless you take the initiative to make it good, which again, if perfectly fine.

Our Medical is average and we have no dental to speak of. It's there but it don't pay squat unless you pay a bunch extra which really don't make any sense unless you have $10k in dental work done a year.

Maybe some Federal employees are overpaid. Technical people are not. I retired from NASA several years ago as an engineer. I made a lot less than most of my counterparts in private industry. I was offered jobs lots of times that would have given me a substantial pay raise, but I really enjoyed what I was doing and money isn't everything.

I'm no longer a federal civil service employee. I now work 3-4x harder (as shown by direct production) in a private business setting until I open my own business.

I agree--we can't say that every single fed govt employee is overpaid or works less for a certain pay rate. I'm just mentioning my jobs & including those of close relatives/friends who are CS federal employees. My direct experience is limited to two jobs--one after finishing an engineering degree, and one after finishing a professional healthcare degree. In general terms, though, the federal government is not very efficient spending money. Anyone want to amen that, go right ahead.

Most of the time it is the exact opposite...at least for Federal jobs that even have a private sector equivalent. Ever see what a Federal lawyer, accountant or Surgeon makes?

...and there are many Federal jobs that have NO comparable private sector equivalent.

I can tell you that attorney's in the Justice department or with the Federal defender's office are not paid as well as in private sector.

I cant complain about my Wage. but I've been with the Gvt. for 9 years. I didnt get a pay raise for 3 years then when I did it was 1.3%. I'm NOT on the GS Scale so there are no step increases, No moving to the next level. My increases are PURELY based on Performance and that is subject to Management approval. My insurance is not the greatest. I have NO dental, NO Vision and the premiums get higher every year, and I will not get a pay increase for ATLEAST the next 2 years and possibly the next 5 years...
I would really hope that experience and dedication would really be worth something the job I do is absolutely NOT something that just anyone can do.
I believe most of you know what that is