Bush Doles Out 1.7% Raise To U.S. Civilians

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

President Bush Dec. 21 issued an executive order covering 2007 pay raises for Federal employees.

The pay tables followed the tentative plan issued by the White House Nov. 30 that called for 1.7-percent raises for most Federal workers.

According to the executive order, General Schedule and Foreign Service employees will get a 1.7-percent basic pay raise and an average 0.5-percent adjustment that varies by locality.

Pay Caps for Execs

Senior executives and equivalent employees get a maximum increase of 1.7 percent. For executives at agencies that have certified performance appraisal systems, that translates into a salary cap of $168,000. Executives who work at agencies without certified performance appraisal systems are capped at $154,600.

Employees who are within the framework of the Federal Wage System get raises equivalent to those obtained by the general service employees within their departments.

Federal employees who work for the Veterans' Health Administration will receive an across-the-board 1.7-percent increase, with a 0.5-percent locality adjustment for doctors' assistants, medical support staff and other positions.

Employees who follow the executive schedule will get a flat 1.7-percent increase.

Administrative Law Judges and members of the Contract Appeals Board get the same raise and locality adjustment as VA workers, but their salaries are capped at $154,600.

Pay raises for most employees will take effect Jan. 7, the first day of the first full pay period for 2007. Wage-grade employees will have their raises staggered throughout the year. Increases will be partially based on wage surveys that have yet to be completed by the Federal Government.