The chimpster throws a bone to the federal workers

Bush Orders 2.2 Percent Pay Increase for Federal Workers

The vice president will be paid $215,700 next year, the chief justice at the Supreme Court will earn $212,100 and Cabinet members will receive $186,000, according to a presidential order released this morning.

In signing the executive order, President Bush triggered the publication of the government's 2007 salary scales for the military, the civil service, the Foreign Service and other government workers.

Bush's order provides for an average 2.2 percent pay raise for the government's 1.8 million employees -- their lowest annual salary increase in 18 years. Bush had signaled his plan to give the 2.2 percent raise last month in a directive that set out locality pay supplements for federal employees.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/12/21/AR2006122100740.html