[Federal Register Volume 61, Number 185 (Monday, September 23, 1996)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 49649-49650]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 96-24156]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 61, No. 185 / Monday, September 23, 1996 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 49649]]



OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

5 CFR Part 532

RIN 3206-AH58


Prevailing Rate Systems; Abolishment of Norfolk, MA, 
Nonappropriated Fund Wage Area

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing interim 
regulations to abolish the Norfolk, MA, nonappropriated fund (NAF) 
Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area and redefine its five counties as 
areas of application to nearby NAF wage areas for pay-setting purposes. 
No permanent employee's wage rate will be reduced as a result of this 
change.

DATES: This interim rule becomes effective on September 23, 1996. 
Comments must be received by October 23, 1996. Employees currently paid 
rates from the Norfolk, MA, NAF wage schedule will continue to be paid 
from that schedule until their conversion to the schedules of the wage 
areas to which their counties of employment are being redefined by this 
rule on November 15, 1996, one day prior to the next adjustment of the 
Middlesex, MA, NAF schedule.

ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to Donald J. Winstead, Assistant 
Director for Compensation Policy, Human Resources Systems Service, 
Office of Personnel Management, Room 6H31, 1900 E Street NW., 
Washington, DC 20415, or FAX: (202) 606-0824.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Frank Derby, (202) 606-2848.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Defense recommended to OPM 
that the Norfolk, MA, NAF FWS wage area be abolished and that the five 
counties having continuing FWS employment be redefined as areas of 
application to nearby NAF wage areas. Norfolk County, Plymouth County, 
and Suffolk County, MA, are being redefined to the Middlesex, MA, wage 
area. Barnstable County and Nantucket County, MA, are being redefined 
to the Newport, RI, wage area. This change is necessary because the 
pending closure of Naval Air Station, South Weymouth, MA, leaves the 
Norfolk, MA, NAF wage area without an activity having the capability to 
conduct a wage survey.
    As required in regulation, 5 CFR 532.219, the following criteria 
were considered in redefining these wage areas:
    (1) Proximity of largest activity in each county;
    (2) Transportation facilities and commuting patterns; and
    (3) Similarities of the counties in:
    (i) Overall population;
    (ii) Private employment in major industry categories; and
    (iii) Kinds and sizes of private industrial establishments.
    All regulatory factors favor redefinition of Norfolk County and 
Suffolk County to the adjacent Middlesex, MA, NAF wage area.
    For Plymouth County, proximity slightly favors (10 kilometers or 6 
miles) Newport, RI; however, the remaining regulatory factors--i.e., 
commuting patterns and overall population and industrial patterns--both 
favor Middlesex, MA.
    Commuting patterns for Barnstable County and Nantucket County 
slightly favor Middlesex, MA, but proximity and overall population and 
industrial patterns both favor Newport, RI.
    The Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee reviewed this 
recommendation and by consensus recommended approval.

Waiver of Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Delay in Effective Date

    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 
because the next Norfolk, MA, NAF wage survey would otherwise be 
required to begin in September 1996.

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    I certify that these regulations will not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities because they 
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.

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.

Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 532--[Amended]

    2. In appendix B to subpart B, the listing for the State of 
Massachusetts is amended by removing the entry for Norfolk.
    3. Appendix D to subpart B is amended by removing the wage area 
list for Norfolk, Massachusetts, and by revising the lists for 
Middlesex, Massachusetts, and Newport, Rhode Island, to read as 
follows:

Appendix D to Subpart B of Part 532--Nonappropriated Fund Wage and 
Survey Areas

* * * * *

Massachusetts

Middlesex

Survey Area

Massachusetts:
    Middlesex

    Area of application. Survey area plus:

Massachusetts:
    Norfolk
    Plymouth
    Suffolk
New Hampshire:
    Hillsborough
* * * * *

Rhode Island

* * * * *

[[Page 49650]]

Newport

Survey Area

Rhode Island:
    Newport

    Area of application. Survey area plus:

Massachusetts:
    Barnstable
    Nantucket
Rhode Island:
    Providence
    Washington
* * * * *
[FR Doc. 96-24156 Filed 9-20-96; 8:45 am]
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