Obama to propose 1 percent pay raise for federal workers, troops

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 (UPI) -- President Obama plans to propose a 1 percent pay raise for federal employees and military personnel in his 2015 budget blueprint, the White House said.

The White House official said the proposed increases are consistent with pay raises the civilians and military received this year, the Washington Post reported.

The administration official, speaking anonymously, said the proposed civilian increase included in the fiscal year 2015 budget "reflects the tight budget constraints we continue to face, while also recognizing the critical role these civilian employees play in our country. ... It also recognizes the sacrifices they have already made through prior pay freezes, reductions in awards and furloughs due to sequestration last year."

Military personnel have received pay raises every year of Obama's presidency, the Post said.

The proposed military pay increase "was recommended by the senior uniformed military leadership," the official said.

The official said the budget plan would include "other measures important to ensuring that federal employees are fairly compensated and have the training and tools needed to succeed."

Obama will unveil his 2015 budget blueprint next week.