Federal Workers Slam Pay Freeze Extension

(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)Despite acknowledging that “civilian federal employees have already made significant sacrifices as a result of a two-year pay freeze,” President Obama announced Tuesday night that he is extending the pay freeze for federal workers another four months. “Federal employees cannot afford another four months or even another day of frozen wages,” responded newly-elected AFGE President J. David Cox angrily, calling the President’s decision “unconscionable.” The largest federal employee union, AFGE has many members in the DC metro area. “Some members feel a deep sense of betrayal since President Obama choose to freeze our pay after our national organization endorsed his re-election,” said Alex Bastani, who heads up AFGE Local 12, representing workers at the Department of Labor. AFGE members aren't the only ones feeling the squeeze. "This is a major disappointment, especially for federal employees at the lower end of the pay scale" added AFSCME Council 26 President Saul Schniderman. "Freezing our pay for over two years -- this hurts, not helps, the economy."