Federal Managers Association
Press Release
- FMA RECOGNIZES PAY RAISE IN BIDEN’S FY22 BUDGET REQUEST - May 28, 2021
- Alexandria, VA – President Biden announced his budget request for Fiscal Year 2022 on May 28. He is calling for a 2.7 percent pay raise for the federal workforce in 2022. Federal Managers Association (FMA) National President Craig Carter made the following comments on the announcement:"FMA welcomes President Biden’s budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2022, and we appreciate the stated effort to “empower and protect” the federal workforce. The overview for his budget request speaks to efforts to improving hiring outcomes, including expansion and enhancement of recruiting and hiring top talent. We look forward to working with the administration and Congress on these specific proposals to revitalize hiring. FMA is also committed to working with President Biden on the President’s Management Agenda as it continues to take shape.“We recognize the proposed 2.7 percent pay raise for the federal workforce as a significant improvement from the 1 percent raise feds received this year, and we acknowledge the return to the traditional pay parity for feds with the uniformed military. FMA is already on record as endorsing the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates (FAIR) Act in both the House and Senate, which would provide for a 3.2 percent pay raise in 2022, and we will continue to advocate for that as a reasonable boost for both the federal workforce and the military.“Federal managers, and indeed all feds, deserve to be treated with respect for our efforts and the work we have performed over our careers. Every job we hold and perform daily is because of a congressional mandate. We work to fulfill these mandates to ensure American citizens are protected from enemies and disease, and ensure our way of life is protected for generations to come. It is essential that feds be given the ability to maintain a living wage that keeps up with inflation and that provides for them and their families, and we will continue to push for a 2.2 percent increase to base pay and 1 percent increase to locality pay, which was frozen this year.“Additionally, FMA notes the federal pay ceiling cap has not kept up with the higher cost of living in many cities across the United States. This issue can and will play a role in recruitment and retention to the federal workforce. If an employee is offered a promotion at a higher level, with more responsibilities, but no corresponding salary increase, will they take on the new role? Technology employees who are now capped may be tempted to leave the government for the private sector, where there is no pay cap. Congress must address this problem before it grows exponentially.“In his 1961 State of the Union address, President John F. Kennedy said, ’Let the public service be a proud and lively career. And let every man and woman who works in any area of our national government, in any branch, at any level, be able to say with pride and with honor in future years: ‘I served the United States government in that hour of our nation’s need.’ Without question, the Covid-19 pandemic is one of those hours. We at FMA are proud of all the federal managers answering that call of public service by going above and beyond in this difficult time. We urge Congress and the Administration to work together to give feds the ability to maintain a living wage that keeps up with inflation and that provides for them and their families.”