The Two Year Pay Freeze Will Affect Me Greatly

The two-year pay freeze will affect me greatly. First of all, I am single and I have been brown bagging my lunches to save money. I am already at my highest step so I loose between no COLA and the step increase. I have been trying to get a promotion in the last 3 years with no success. I watch what I buy at the grocery store, look for things on sale and also look for more coupons. I also had to eliminate my local newspaper from seven days to weekend and holidays. I would have to sell some valuable antiques.

In my hometown for the next 1 to 20 years the water and sewer rates are going to increase because of an EPA project.  If things get any worse I would have to sell my house sooner than I would like and get less money. I would not have bought a new furnace and a central air unit had I known about the pay freeze sooner. I would have just replaced the parts. Hopefully, I will not need to get a part-time job but time will tell.

Back in the year 2005 there was a BRAC that closed military bases and some DFAS centers. That was supposed to save a lot of money. I could learn to deal with the two-year pay freeze but not for 5 years. There is other things that Congress can do like quit giving out bailouts to banks, car companies and foreign nations. I am also tired of hearing on the news or the TV that CEOs of big companies getting huge bonuses. The last time I, as a civilian, received a bonus it was for only $200. Civilian bonuses are generally between $200 to $600 once a year based on our standards.

I also feel that the middle class is being pushed out so eventually there will be either poor or rich people. Most Civilian employees in the Cleveland/Akron area are GS 6 or below making under 50,000 and most of us have 30 years or more of federal service.

Elaine Kucia
AFGE Local 3283
Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Ohio