Will Federal Pay Be On The Chopping Block Again?

When Congress returns from its break later this month, your pay and benefits could be on the chopping block once again. The National Treasury Employees Union is getting a jump start before lawmakers return in trying to stop or limit provisions that could affect federal employees in the payroll tax cut extension debate. Congress is expected to debate a one-year extension soon after it returns from the holiday break. NTEU sent letters to seven senators and 13 House members asking them to remove any provisions from the payroll tax cut extension bill that would affect federal employees pay and benefits. NTEU president Colleen Kelley says the provisions in the House version of the bill disproportionately affects federal employees. House provisions would extend the pay freeze for another year, increase employee pension contributions by 1.5 percent and eliminate the security security supplement over three years.