'...Wages are set through collective bargaining for some federal employees, including air traffic controllers, though that is not the case for most U.S. government workers. ...'
'...some lawmakers grew concerned that Uncle Sam did not pay enough to attract and keep the skilled scientists, economists, doctors, and other white-collar professionals who make up a disproportionate share of the federal workforce. ...'
'...Impose a three-year pay freeze on federal workers and Defense Department civilians. Out of duty and patriotism, hardworking federal employees provide a great service to this country. But in a time of budget shortfalls, all levels of government must trim back. In the recent recession, millions of private sector and state and municipal employees had their wages frozen or cut back, and millions more lost their jobs altogether. In contrast, federal workers’ wages increase annually due to automatic formulas in law, providing them with cost-of-living-adjustments totaling more than five percent in the last two years. This proposal would institute a three-year government-wide freeze on federal pay at every government agency, including the Department of Defense civilian workforce. This proposal will save $20.4 billion in 2015....'
Reference: www.fiscalcommission.gov