[Federal Register: January 27, 1995 (Volume 60, Number 18)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 5312]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr27ja95-2]


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



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.

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

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