Union Says 2.2% Is 'Meager'
Congress Okays Annual Increase in Military Pay

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

The U.S. Senate passed the 2007 Defense Authorization Bill after a late-night voting session Sept. 30, clearing the way for a potential wage increase of 2.2 percent for members of the military starting Jan. 1.

The bill was passed over the objection of the National Treasury Employees Union, which decried the increase as "meager."

Parity Thwarted

NTEU had supported a different version of the authorization bill that granted military raises of 2.7 percent - on par with those given to Federal civilian employees in a separate bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives last month.

That bill, however, is currently waiting a full Senate vote. Given the long-standing tradition of parity between Federal employee pay and military wages, it's unlikely it will be approved unless the proposed raise is dropped to 2.2 percent.

The $532.8 billion Defense Authorization Bill also included targeted raises for mid-rank enlisted members April 1, and addressed construction and weapons financing. Both the Senate and the House had voted through different versions over the summer, but it took several months to arrive at a compromise version both parties endorsed. It now goes to President Bush to be signed into law, although the timing is unclear due to a backlog of legislation.

NTEU President Colleen Kelley said that "a 2.2-percent pay increase - the smallest for our military in more than a decade - is a shameful decision during a time of war."

Will Challenge Raise

She pledged NTEU support at both the national and grassroots levels for a higher raise for members of the military. "It should not be necessary to call attention to the enormous sacrifices our men and women in uniform are making, and to their right to a fair pay raise," she said. "But apparently it is, and we'll be aggressive in doing just that."

Separate bills covering military construction and health-care won't be voted on by Congress until after the Nov. 8 elections.

Congress also passed a bill providing the annual increase in veterans' disability and survivors' benefits, but the exact amount hasn't been announced. The legislation required the annual veterans' adjustment to keep pace with Social Security and retired military wage increases, which automatically keep parity with the cost of goods and services.