Mixed Messages?

In the past week, two prominent Bush administration officials have gone out of their way to praise federal employees for their work, sacrifice and devotion.

During a dinner last week honoring distinguished senior executives and professionals, Homeland Security Department Secretary Tom Ridge said that civil servants chose their jobs over better-paying private-sector careers because they wanted to provide "service to a greater good."

"It is a career that matters," Ridge said. "It is a pursuit that motivates."

In a statement released Tuesday, Office of Personnel Management Director Kay Coles James said that federal workers are dedicated to improving their country.

"President George W. Bush has expressed the nation's gratitude for the public servants who 'touch lives, inspire others, and help us realize the promise and potential of our great nation,'" James said, as part of a tribute to Public Service Recognition Week. "Throughout our history, we have been blessed with men and women of vision and character who have devoted their time and talents in service to their country and their fellow citizens."

The kind words, however, produced a mixed reaction from union leaders who believe White House policies have hurt civil servants.

"On the one hand, I am very, very pleased when I hear people like Tom Ridge and Kay Coles James make it a point to recognize federal employees and the work that they do," said Colleen Kelley, National Treasury Employees Union president, in an interview Wednesday with Government Executive. "It would probably be very welcome and appreciated if actions went along with the words."

Unions have clashed with the Bush administration over pay parity and personnel reforms at the Pentagon and the Homeland Security Department. The White House is pushing a 3.5 percent pay raise for military personnel and a 1.5 percent pay raise for civil servants. Bush previously has said that uniformed personnel deserve the raise because of ongoing military engagements in Afghanistan and Iraq. He has not mentioned the civilian pay adjustment. Supporters of equal pay adjustments have said that many civilians perform the same tasks as uniformed federal employees, and combat pay was designed to reward personnel who are stationed in harm's way.

The White House is also pushing for wide-ranging reforms and streamlined personnel systems at the Defense and Homeland Security departments. Unions are concerned over the loss of collective bargaining rights and a reduced appeals process.

Kelley said, however, that federal workers would appreciate the comments of Ridge and James. Administration officials were not forthcoming with kind words during the more acrimonious personnel and pay discussions, she added.

"There was a time during the talk over homeland security and employees' rights when there was nothing good being said about federal employees," Kelley said. "I think that's important. When each of those two said it, I believe that is how they feel."