AFGE Circulates Petition Against Attacks On Federal Workers
Wednesday, February 2, 2011(Metropolitan Washington Council, AFL-CIO)
Calling attacks on federal workers' wages and
benefits “cheap, cynical political theater," AFGE is planning a Day of Action
on Capitol Hill next week and urging support for an electronic
petition that will be presented to Congress. "Federal employees' pay
and benefits are only a fraction of the federal budget,” points out AFGE
President John Gage. “Trillion dollar deficits don't go away by attacking
their compensation package. Plus, cutting wages, benefits and jobs in the throes
of a severe economic recession will only make matters worse. It fuels a 'race to
the bottom' that will further destroy the middle class." The real problem is the
lack of jobs and stagnant wages, says AFGE. “Our country needs a comprehensive
plan to create good jobs with good wages to get our economy moving again,” the
union says. “A growing economy eliminates problems with deficits.”