AFGE Hosts Congress Members At Legislative Conference

At their legislative and grassroots mobilization conference, the American Federation for Government Employees (AFGE) announced they would push for a 5.3% pay raise for civilian and military personnel – much higher than the 1.6% in the President’s current budget proposal.

“We may or may not get a 5.3 [percent raise],” said AFGE National President J. David Cox. “But we are clearly putting on the record that we are owed the 5.3.”

Some members of Congress agree with the federal employee union.

House Oversight and Government Reform ranking member Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-Md.) spoke at the legislative conference:

“I promise you, I will do everything in my power to make sure you are fairly compensated for your work and you get meaningful pay raises,” Cummings said.

Other members who spoke at the conference included Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.), Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) and Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.).

Takano, the ranking member on the House Veterans' Affairs committee, promised to safeguard appeal rights for federal employees, touting his VA bill that he said would strengthen accountability while avoiding the creation of a “culture of fear.”

“I understand the need to make VA more efficient and effective,” Takano said. “But I also understand that trampling on the rights of VA employees, a third of whom are veterans themselves, will not help us achieve that goal.”