| Comment Number: | OL-10503680 |
| Received: | 3/7/2005 11:48:43 AM |
| Subject: | Notice of Proposed Rulemaking, Request for Comment |
| Title: | National Security Personnel System |
| CFR Citation: | 5 CFR Chapter XCIX and Part 9901 |
| No Attachments |
Comments:
The provisions for locality pay under sections 9901.332 and 9901.333 concern me. Under the demo project I am currently in, we receive our performance appraisal pay increase and the cost of living adjustment (including changes to locality pay) determined by Congress, signed by the President and managed by OPM. If Congress & the President determine that federal employees are to receive a COLA pay increase, there should be no further review by DoD. Under provisions 9901.332 and 9901.333, DoD determines whether employees get locality increases and when. Differentiating locality pay between career groups in the same location also is unfair. The costs are the same for living in that community. It also should not be subject to the availability of funds. While Congress rarely funds COLA increases, employees should not suffer due to budget problems.