Evening star., 1951-09-15
Senate Sci 10 Vote
Classified Pay Raise
|0f S4OO Minimum
By joseph Youno

wi jaw IvlIlIlIIuIn
By Joseph Young
A minimum $400-a-year pay
raise for the Governments clas-
lsifled employees appeared likely to-
day, following the Senate's action
last night in voting a similar pay
floor for postal workers.
The Senate approved the pos
tai pay measure by the unanimous
vote of II to 0, but deferred ac-
ton on the classified pay meas
ure until Monday because of the
lateness Of the hour.
The postal raise is retroactive
to July /. 1t would affect 0,00(
employees, 1000 Of them in tht
District.
Both Democratic and Repub-
lican leaders in the Senate gave
definite assurance to Federal clas-
sified employees that the Senate
will act on their pay legislation
on Monday. Furthermore, aSSur-
anceS were voiced that classified
employees will get the same treat
ment as postal workers.
The classified and postal pay
bills involve more than lis millior
Federal employees, including $780,
900 Federal and District Govern.
ment classified employees here.
Bill Liberalized.
The Senate last night liberal
lied the postal pay raise bill con
siderably from that original!
voted by the Senate Civil Servic'
Committee.
The committees bill had pro-
vided for an 8.8 per cent pa!
boost for postal workers, plus
reclassification of salaries for post
masters and postal supervisor
that would provide these latte
groups Of top-level employees
maximum raise of $500 year.
Since most postal workers carr
around $500 a year, this woul'
have given them about an aver
age raise of about $3.50 a year.
However, Senator Carlson, Re
publican, of Kansas. offered al
amendment to provide a minimum
lraise Of $400. This was agreeabl
Ito Chairman Johnston of tn
Senate Civil Service Committe
and promptly was adopted by tn
Senate.
$500 Voted Down.
Senator LANCER, Republican, o
North Dakota, wanted to max
the minimum even larger ant
proposed at least a $500 pay boost
This, however. was voted down.
/ Following its vote on the posta
bill, the Senate took up action Of
the classified pay bill.
/ However, Senate Majorit
Leader Mcfarland shortly after
ward asked that the bill be Sc
over until Monday because it wa
so late.
Reinsurance by Mcfarland.
Some Government clasSif1e'
employees have been apprehensiv
that we would vote only posts
workers a pay raise and forge
about them" Senator McFarlan
declared.
However. / want to give then
my assurance that the Senate vii
definitely treat them alike an
will take up the classified pa
measure on Monday and we vii
continue on it until We finish"
). Similarly, Senator Saltonstal
Republican. of Massachusetts,. tn
acting minority leader. declare
the Republican members wer
agreed to this program.
i Senator Saltonstall also sal
!, that, in view of the $400 minimum
raise voted for post Office employees
the Senate could not do otherwis
than vote the same minimum rails
for classified workers. Senate
Pastore, Democrat, of Rhod
Island, who was chairman of tn
Senate Civil Service subcommitte
that handled the S.4 per Ger
classified employees pay bill. ais
declared that classified employe
should be given the same treat
) ment.
8.8 Pct. Still Effective.
The postal pay raise bill vote
by the Senate would still give a
8.8 per cent increase to post,
: employees in the higher bracket
If this amount was higher than tn
$400 figure. but very few posts
, workers in the field make MOI
, than $4,000 a year.
II the Senate sets O $400 min
, mum on the classified employe pa
bill and retains the 8.4 per Ger
formula, employees earning owe
. $4,000 a year would get more tina
. that amount, based on the pei
+, centage formula. The pay in
, crease maximum would be $50
r a year.
As the Senate voted to max
t the postal employe pay raise bi
: retroactive to July /. Senator Pas
: tore announced last night he wi
seek to have the same retroactiy
' clause approved for the classifie
bill.
May Include d. C. Groups.
When consideration of the clas;
3 ified pay bill is resumed on Nor
day, the Senate will be asked
: act on an amendment SponSore
by Chairman Nicely of the Senat
D District Committee to bring til
4 Districts policemen. firemen an
d teachers under the provisions {
r the measure. Also, move wi
S be made to bring foreign serviC
e employees under the bill.
= Meanwhile. Chairman Murra
n Of the House Civil Service Con
A lnittae newt wenk iS oYnected