President Proposes 1.4% Pay Raise for 2011

The White House proposed a 1.4 percent General Schedule pay raise for federal civilian employees in 2011.

The smaller pay raise reflects the White House's desire to hold down spending and its growing sensitivity to budget hawks' criticism. Military service members would also receive a 1.4 percent pay raise under the proposed fiscal 2011 budget. Last year, the White House proposed that federal civilians receive a lower pay raise than military service members.

Some unions and employee organizations were disappointed the administration abandoned the principle of pay parity last year and unsuccessfully lobbied for an equal pay raise.

Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry said in September that the administration would propose an equal 2011 pay raise for the military and federal civilians.

Part of the 1.4 percent pay raise could be broken out into locality payments that vary based on location.

Last year, the Obama administration wanted all GS civilians to receive a 2.0 percent raise and have no locality pay raises, but Congress ignored its call.