In the wake of the announcement that a proposed settlement has been reached over the calculation of the cost-of-living allowance (COLA) in the non-contiguous states and territories of the United States, the attorneys for the plaintiffs have scheduled a series of public meetings in Hawaii and Guam in July to discuss the proposed settlement and respond to questions from the audience. The plaintiffs' attorneys have invited representatives from the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) to attend the public meetings. OPM will urge supervisors to allow employees to be given official time to attend the scheduled meetings. According to one of the plaintiffs' attorneys, the meetings will go on until the last question is asked.

The lawsuit, filed in the Virgin Islands, challenged the government's administration of the COLA program since 1990. Under the proposed settlement, the government will change the manner in which COLA rates are set in the future, establish interim COLA rates until the new methodology is instituted in 2003 or 2004, and pay eligible employees and retirees for back pay. In return, members of the class action lawsuit will waive past and future claims regarding the general administration of the government's COLA program. The proposed settlement will be considered for final approval by the Court on August 17, 2000. Senator Daniel K. Akaka, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Federal Services Subcommittee, urges all affected employees and retirees to attend at least one of the settlement public meetings.

Public Meeting Schedule

Area Day of the Week Date Time Place

Hilo, Tuesday July 11, 2000, 11:30 AM IBEW Local Hall Baker's Beach, Hilo

Kona, Tuesday July 11, 2000, 5:00 PM Royal Kona Resort

Maui, Wednesday July 12, 2000, Noon Cameron Center Aud.

Oahu, Thursday July 13, 2000, 10:00 AM Hickam AFB Theater

Oahu, Thursday or Friday July 13 or 14, 2000, 2:00 PM Fort Shafter

Oahu, Friday July 14, 2000, 10:00 AM Federal Building

Guam, Tuesday July 18, 2000, 10:00 AM Orote Theater (Navy Base)

Guam, Tuesday July 18, 2000, 2:00 PM Meehan Theater (Air Force Base)

Guam, Tuesday July 18, 2000, 5:00 PM Governor's Cabinet Conf. Room

Kauai, Wednesday July 19, 2000, (tentative) 5:00 PM (tentative) Kalaheo Neighborhood Center

The text of the settlement and other information is available on the Internet at: www.colasettlement.com. The settlement can also be obtained by calling 1-877-480-2652 or writing to the settlement administrator at:

COLA Settlement, 10300 SW Allen Blvd., Beaverton, OR 97005-4833

Class counsel can be reached at:

COLA Settlement, Sandler Ahern & McConaughy, PLLC, 1200 Fifth Avenue, #1900 Seattle, WA 98101