COLLINS-BACKED BILL TO GIVE FEDERAL CIVILIAN WORKERS AN EQUAL PAY RAISE APPROVED BY SENATE PANEL

Washington, DC – Legislation that would give federal civilian workers a 3 percent pay raise has passed a significant hurdle in the U.S. Senate. The bill included so-called "pay parity" provisions that would give federal civilian workers a pay raise equivalent to that proposed for military personnel next year. The bill was approved late last night by the Senate Appropriations Committee. The Administration has proposed a 1.5 percent pay raise for civilian workers and a 3.5 percent pay raise for military personnel. Senator Collins has written letters to President Bush and leaders of the Appropriations Committee to retain pay parity in the salary increases given to all civilian federal employees.

"Both civilian and military employees are working overseas to rebuild Iraq and in government agencies here at home to prevent further terrorist attacks," said Senator Collins. "Disparate treatment of federal civilian and military pay goes against the longstanding Congressional policy of ensuring parity for all those who have chosen to serve our Nation, whether that service be in the civilian workforce or in the uniformed services. It is important that we show all federal employees that we value their work."

In her letter to President Bush, Senator Collins pointed out that Federal government is facing a "human capital crisis." Fifty-three percent of current Federal employees are eligible to retire by 2007 and there are not enough workers to replace them. In addition, a 2002 survey found that only one in four college-educated workers expressed significant interest in working for the federal government.

"Providing lower pay for civilians than for military employees only serves to perpetuate the alarming lack of interest in federal government jobs," said Senator Collins. "Pay parity is an important recognition of the sacrifices all our federal workers make everyday. Just as military employees are fighting to maintain our freedoms and security, civilian employees do their jobs every day with a similar dedication to serving the nation."

Senator Collins continues to press leaders in the Senate to approve an across-the-board 3.5 percent pay raise for all federal employees, including civilian workers and military personnel. The pay parity legislation, which Senator Collins supports, must next be approved by the full Senate.

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