[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 18 (Friday, January 27, 1995)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 5312]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-2014]
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OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
5 CFR Part 532
RIN 3206-AG53
Prevailing Rate Systems; Abolishment of New York, New York,
Special Wage Schedules for Printing Positions
AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.
ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management is issuing interim
regulations to abolish the Federal Wage System special wage schedule
for printing positions in the New York, New York, wage area. Printing
and lithographic employees in New York, New York, will now be paid
rates from the regular New York, New York, wage schedule.
DATES: This interim rule becomes effective on January 27, 1995.
Comments must be received by February 27, 1995. Employees paid rates
from the New York, New York, special wage schedule for printing
positions will continue to be paid from that schedule until their
conversion to the regular New York, New York, wage schedule effective
on the first day of the first full pay period beginning on or after
January 27, 1995.
ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to Donald J. Winstead, Assistant
Director for Compensation Policy, Personnel Systems and Oversight
Group, U.S. Office of Personnel Management, Room 6H31, 1900 E Street
NW., Washington, DC 20415.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Paul Shields, (202) 606-2848.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Defense recommended to the
Office of Personnel Management that the New York, New York, Printing
and Lithographic wage schedule be abolished and that the regular New
York, New York, wage schedule apply to printing employees in the New
York, New York, wage area. This recommendation was based on the fact
that the New York, New York, special printing wage survey would produce
special schedule rates lower than the regular area wage schedule rates
for all but one grade level, XS-7. Because regulations provide that the
special printing schedule rates may not be lower than the regular
schedule rates for an area, New York, New York, special printing
schedule rates for all grades but XS-7 are currently based on the New
York, New York, regular wage schedule rates. The number of employees
paid from this special schedule has declined in recent years from a
total of 80 employees in 1985 to a current total of 18 employees, only
1 of whom is in grade XS-7.
With the reduced number of employees, it has been difficult to
comply with the requirement that workers paid from the special printing
schedule participate in the special wage survey process. The last full-
scale survey involved the substantial work effort of contacting 103
printing establishments spread over 19 counties.
No employee's wage rate will be reduced upon conversion to the
regular schedule. Because of the effects of pay cap provisions and the
fact that the special printing schedule rates are based upon payable
(restricted) regular schedule rates, the 17 employees paid rates based
on the regular wage schedule will receive higher wage rates upon
conversion. The one employee in grade XS-7 who currently receives the
higher, printing survey-based rate will be entitled to continue at that
rate under pay retention rules.
The Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee has reviewed this
recommendation and by consensus has recommended approval.
Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(B), I find that good cause exists
for waiving the general notice of proposed rulemaking. Also, pursuant
to section 553(d)(3) of title 5, United States Code, I find that good
cause exists for making this rule effective in less than 30 days. The
notice is being waived and the regulation is being made effective in
less than 30 days because preparations for the January 1995 New York,
New York, survey must begin immediately.
Regulatory Flexibility Act
I certify that these regulations will not have a significant
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they
will affect only Federal agencies and employees.
List of Subjects in 5 CFR Part 532
Administrative practice and procedure, Freedom of information,
Government employees, Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Wages.
U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
Lorraine A. Green,
Deputy Director.
Accordingly, OPM is amending 5 CFR part 532 as follows:
PART 532--PREVAILING RATE SYSTEMS
1. The authority citation for part 532 continues to read as
follows:
Authority: 5 U.S.C. 5343, 5346; Sec. 532.707 also issued under 5
U.S.C. 552.
Sec. 532.279 [Amended]
2. In Sec. 532.279, paragraph (j)(5) is removed, and paragraphs
(j)(6) through (j)(10) are redesignated as paragraphs (j)(5) through
(j)(9), respectively.
[FR Doc. 95-2014 Filed 1-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-01-M