AFGE is leading a coalition that is standing up to any further wage cuts for federal government employees. AFGE members are concerned that working families employed by the federal government will once again be the target of wage, benefit or pension cuts. In the past decade, federal workers have been targeted for $103 billion in cuts—an average of $50,000 per worker. Federal workers have not received a raise since January 2010; as of January 2013, new employees will pay nearly four times as much into their pension funds as current workers do.

AFGE and a coalition of more than two dozen other groups are calling on Congress to reject any cuts to federal employee wages or benefits in the current negotiations over the budget and deficit reduction. More than 5 million active and retired federal workers are represented by the Federal-Postal Coalition. A letter signed by coalition members was published Wednesday in Politico.

The ad states:

To date, middle-class federal and postal workers together have endured $103 billion in cuts to their wages and pensions over 10 years. That amounts to a $50,000 pay cut to every employee.

These dedicated and hardworking civil servants simply can't afford another round of cuts to their pay or benefits. It's time for others to contribute.

The ad follows up on a letter sent to members of Congress on Nov. 19. AFGE also encourages federal employees to call their members of Congress and urge them to reject pay and benefit cuts for working families. The House hotline number is 1-888-907-5171; the Senate number is 1-888-907-8362.