On Defense

Congress is in the early days of the new legislative session, and federal workers already are on edge about potential changes to their pay and benefits. Union leaders are preparing to play defense as observers warn against broad attacks on government employees.

In their first week back, several House Republicans have introduced bills affecting federal employees. Rep. Kevin Brady of Texas last week introduced a bill mandating a 10 percent cut in the federal workforce and a three-year freeze on civilian salaries. Rep. Phil Gingrey of Georgia unveiled legislation, first introduced in 2009, repealing two sections of the 1978 Civil Service Reform Act that allow federal employees to use official work hours to perform union functions, or participate in union activities.

"The truth of the matter is that it is highly unlikely the conversation is going to be around adding benefits to the federal workforce," said Max Stier, president and chief executive officer of the nonprofit Partnership for Public Service. "The conversation will be about taking stuff away."

Matt Biggs, legislative and political director for the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers, said he expects lawmakers to go after employee unions with bills attacking pay, forcing furloughs and handing out pink slips. Proposals on the Republican Party's YouCut website are indicative of possible priorities, he added.

In addition to workforce cuts and longer salary freezes, lawmakers could consider other recommendations from President Obama's fiscal commission charged with reforming federal spending, said Randy Erwin, legislative director of the National Federation of Federal Employees.

Panel leaders in November 2010 unveiled a draft series of recommendations to curtail government spending. The final plan, released on Dec. 1, did not pass a commission vote.

Erwin said some suggestions federal workers should watch for include proposals to force furloughs, move the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to a voucher system, and shrink retirement benefits by using a high-five instead of a high-three calculation, or eliminating FERS and CSRS altogether.

Union officials said they are ready to push for proposals that support their members, but agree it will be an uphill battle. Employees are feeling unfairly targeted as anti-fed bills are introduced and talk of salaries continues, said Jessica Klement, government affairs director for the Federal Managers Association.

Stier said he hopes the Obama administration will be vocal about issues in support of federal employees that address the broader spending issues beyond workforce cuts. There's a need to make government more efficient, not to make quick-fix cost cuts, he added.

"The shame here is that we really ought to be having a conversation about how do we get the right talent and keep the right talent in cost effective fashion," said Stier. "It would be a mistake to see this as simply an opportunity to shave particular benefits off of federal service."