New national president J. David Cox told the Federal Times he will lobby the new Congress for a pay raise for federal workers and, if necessary, for the raise to be made retroactive to January 1.

 

Last week, President Obama extended a pay freeze. Cox isn't happy with that move and told the newspaper that holding back raises is a bad recruitment move and is unfair.

 

“You’ve taken a half-percent and cut it to a quarter of a percent” if it takes effect halfway through 2013, Cox told the Federal Times. “That is no money. [Employees’] health insurance has gone up. I don’t need to tell anyone about the price of gasoline," he said.

 

Cox also said that re-electing President Obama is the group's top priority.