[Federal Register: June 4, 1996 (Volume 61, Number 108)]
[Rules and Regulations]               
[Page 27995]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr04jn96-1]


========================================================================
Rules and Regulations
                                                Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________

This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains regulatory documents 
having general applicability and legal effect, most of which are keyed 
to and codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, which is published 
under 50 titles pursuant to 44 U.S.C. 1510.

The Code of Federal Regulations is sold by the Superintendent of Documents. 
Prices of new books are listed in the first FEDERAL REGISTER issue of each 
week.

========================================================================



[[Page 27995]]



OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

5 CFR Part 532

RIN 3206-AH22

 
Prevailing Rate Systems; Abolishment of Philadelphia, PA, 
Nonappropriated Fund Wage Area

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Final rule.

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

SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing a final 
rule to abolish the Philadelphia, PA, nonappropriated fund (NAF) 
Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area and redefine the five counties 
having continuing FWS employment as areas of application to nearby NAF 
wage areas for pay-setting purposes.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 5, 1996.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
 Paul Shields, (202) 606-2848.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On November 14, 1995, OPM published an 
interim rule to abolish the Philadelphia, PA, nonappropriated fund 
(NAF) Federal Wage System wage area and redefine the five counties 
having continuing FWS employment as areas of application to nearby NAF 
wage areas for pay-setting purposes. Philadelphia County and Chester 
County, PA, are being redefined to the Montgomery, PA, wage area. New 
Castle County, DE; Cape May, NJ; and Salem County, NJ, are being 
redefined to the Burlington, NJ, wage area. The remaining Philadelphia 
wage area counties (Camden and Cloucester, NJ) have no FWS employees 
and are being deleted. The interim rule provided a 30-day period for 
public comment. OPM received one comment during the comment period 
suggesting that the Montgomery, PA, survey area be expanded to include 
Philadelphia County or that a differential be paid to workers employed 
in Philadelphia County. After another detailed review, OPM found that 
it would not be feasible for the Montgomery County survey host activity 
to support a survey expanded to include an additional large urban area 
like Philadelphia County. Hence, OPM concurs with the findings of FPRAC 
and does not agree that the Montgomery survey area should be expanded. 
Regarding the suggestion of a differential, OPM has provided directly 
to the sender of the suggestion guidance on how agencies may request 
wage flexibilities under current regulations for special rates, special 
schedules, and increased minimum rates to counter recruitment or 
retention difficulties. Therefore, the interim rule is being adopted as 
a final rule.

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.

    Accordingly, under the authority of 5 U.S.C. 5343, the interim rule 
amending 5 CFR part 532 published on November 14, 1995 (60 FR 57145), 
is adopted as final without any changes.

Office of Personnel Management.
Lorraine A. Green,
Deputy Director.
[FR Doc. 96-13842 Filed 6-3-96; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6325-01-M