JUST BEFORE the Christ-
The average national increase was 3.99 percent, with those in the Washington area (including Dahlgren and Quantico) receiving 4.78 percent. Their counterparts in Richmond (including Fort A.P. Hill) will see a 3.52 percent boost.
The Washington area received the highest overall increase, with San Jose, Calif., receiving 4.31 percent and New York seeing a 4.20 percent rise.
The 2009 increase is a full percentage point higher than the president originally recommended to Congress.
For those in the highest ranks of the general schedule in Washington, the 2009 pay cap has been moved to $153,200, an increase of about $4,000. Richmond's pay cap is now $148,148.
Factoring locality-based comparability payments into annual compensation, Washington's federal workers receive just over 23 percent of their salaries in locality pay.
The pay differentials are based on the Federal Pay Comparability Act of 1990, which established 32 separate geographically-based pay tables for general schedule employees. If you want to see the new pay tables, including those for the
Second Chances
Because of recent changes in the Blue Cross/Blue Shield's Standard Option's surgical benefits, the Office of Personnel Management has ordered federal agencies to accept Open Season enrollments through the end
Many current enrollees were not aware that they could be liable for thousands of dollars in additional expenses if they chose surgeons out of Blue Cross' established network.
Significant pressure was put on OPM by members of Congress and groups representing employees to extend the Open Season past Dec. 10.
OPM is also working with other carriers in the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program to provide additional protections to federal workers who have non-emergency surgeries performed out of their networks.
Sign of the Times
OPM has reported that more than 16 million prospective job applicants visited USAJOBS, the government's primary hiring Web site, in October. This is more than twice the number a year ago. Looks as if the uncertain economy makes workers look at federal civil service as a place for job safety and security.
Happy 2009
Since this is my last column of 2008, I would like to thank so many of you for your e-mails and feedback. I wish everyone a happy and prosperous 2009 and look forward to watching a new administration and Congress tackle issues affecting the federal family.
Kevin Wilkinson of Spotsylvania County is a veteran federal employee. Write him c/o Federal Feedback, The Free Lance-Star, 616 Amelia St., Fredericksburg, Va. 22401. Or e-mail
Email: kwlknsn@yahoo.com.