Salaries for state government professionals registered a modest 2.4 percent increase from 2007 to 2008, according to the ninth annual AFT Public Employees Compensation Survey. The increase was less than the inflation rate, 4 percent, and significantly less than the previous year’s 5.7 percent increase. The survey also shows that most state employees earn far less than their private sector counterparts.

As a professional, you face myriad challenges in the workplace, ranging from limited resources to do your job and lack of professional development opportunities, to privatization and vacancy savings. Your views on these and other issues matter to the AFT. That's why we want to hear from you. Sign on to AFT Voices to answer the question: "What contract language has the most positive impact on your work life"?