Early Marker Set for 2010 Raise

An early marker has been set for the January 2010–not 2009–general schedule pay raise, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the employment cost index measure used for determining the across-the-board component of that raise was 2.9 percent in the pertinent measuring period. Under federal pay law, a half percentage point is supposed to be shaved off that amount in order to keep employees roughly apace with private sector wage growth, and locality pay is supposed to be paid in addition sufficient to largely close local pay gaps. That system has never been implemented as designed, however–according to the latest government figures, an average raise of more than 25 percent would be needed to bring federal pay in compliance with the law.