Bush Backs 3.1 Percent Raise

President Bush has formally proposed that general schedule employees receive a 3.1 percent raise in January, with the entire amount to be paid as an across-the-board raise and none as locality pay. Bush’s recommendation, in an order issued under federal pay law, disappointed advocates of a higher amount but came as no surprise, since the administration had allowed the 3.1 percent figure to become the “default” pay raise by its actions several months ago. While employee organizations and sympathetic members of Congress have been advocating a 4.1 percent raise in order to maintain parity with uniformed military personnel, the White House has been pushing for a lower amount-first 2.6 percent and since late summer, effectively 3.1 percent.