What the trade associations and certain credit union leaderscan't accomplish, President Obama and Congress might be able toachieve.

That is, get the NCUA to not raise the salaries of its employeesnext year.

President Obama is asking Congress to pass a two-year wagefreeze for all civilian employees of executive branch departments.It's not certain whether Congress will also include independentregulatory agencies, such as the NCUA, in the legislation. If not,the agency could decide to follow the lead of other governmentagencies in light of the economic and budget problems.

NCUA Director of Public and Congressional Affairs John McKechniesaid the agency is waiting for additional information on theproposal from the two government agencies responsible for it-theOffice of Management and Budget and the Office of PersonnelManagement-before deciding on a course of action.

The Obama administration contends the freeze would save $5billion over two years. The annual deficit is $1.3 trillion.

“The hard truth is that getting this deficit under control isgoing to require some broad sacrifice, and that sacrifice must beshared by employees of the federal government,” Obama said whenunveiling the wage-freeze proposal.

Congressional Republicans have been urging the wage freeze sinceearlier this year, and some even want the government to freeze newhiring as well. The GOP will take control of the House in January,but the Democrats will keep control of the Senate.

The $225.4 million budget approved by the NCUA for 2011 includesa 6.1% pay raise for employees covered by the collective bargainingagreement. That covers 80% of the agency's employees, and thatthree-year contract is up for renegotiation next year. Theremaining 20% of employees are slated to receive a 3% increase,which was approved by the NCUA board.

CUNA and NAFCU both criticized the salary increases.