Prevailing Rate Systems; Rockingham, NH, NAF Wage Area

OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

5 CFR Part 532

RIN 3206-AF82

Prevailing Rate Systems; Rockingham, NH, NAF Wage Area

AGENCY: Office of Personnel Management.

ACTION: Interim rule with request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management is issuing an interim

regulation to redefine the Rockingham, New Hampshire, Federal Wage

System nonappropriated fund (NAF) wage area for pay-setting purposes.

After this change, a new wage area, York, Maine, will include the same

three counties, with York County, Maine, designated as the survey area

and Rockingham County, New Hampshire, and Windsor County, Vermont,

designated as areas of application. With the closing of Pease Air Force

Base, there are no longer enough NAF wage employees in Rockingham

County to satisfy the requirements established by regulation for a

survey county.

DATES: This interim rule becomes effective on March 23, 1994. Comments

must be received by April 22, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to Barbara L. Fiss, 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 Rockingham, New Hampshire, NAF wage area

is presently composed of three counties: Rockingham County, New

Hampshire (survey area); York County, Maine (area of application); and

Windsor County, Vermont (area of application). After this change, a new

wage area, York, Maine, will include the same three counties, with York

County designated as the survey area and Rockingham County and Windsor

County designated as areas of application.

This change was made necessary by the closing of Pease Air Force

Base, which left only two NAF employees in Rockingham County. By

regulation (5 CFR 532.219) there must be a minimum of 26 NAF wage

employees in the survey area, and a local activity in the area must

have the capability to conduct the survey. Neither of these conditions

can now be met by Rockingham County. However, York County does not meet

the minimum requirements to be the survey area. The Portsmouth Naval

Shipyard has 58 NAF employees and has the capability to conduct the

survey. York County also meets the other regulatory requirement of a

minimum of 1,800 private enterprise employees in establishments within

survey specifications. There are approximately 23,025 such employees in

York County. The remaining employees in the wage area are the 8

Veterans Administration employees of the White River Junction Medical

Center and Regional Office in Windsor County, Vermont, bringing the

total wage area employment to 68.

The full-scale surveys will continue to be ordered in September of

even numbered fiscal years--e.g., in September 1994. The Federal

Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee (FPRAC) reviewed this request and by

consensus 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 September 1994 surveys 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

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; 532.707 also issued under 5

U.S.C. 552.

Appendix B to Subpart B [Amended]

2. Appendix B to subpart B is amended by removing the wage area

listing for Rockingham, New Hampshire, and by inserting

``York....September....Even.'' after the Cumberland, Maine, listing.

3. Appendix D to subpart B is amended by removing New Hampshire

which contains Rockingham and by adding after the Cumberland, Maine,

definition, a new York, Maine, wage area definition to read as follows:

Appendix D to Subpart B of Part 532--Nonappropriated Fund Wage and

Survey Areas.

* * * * *

Maine

* * * * *

York

Survey Area

Maine:

York

Area of Application: Survey Area Plus

New Hampshire:

Rockingham

Vermont:

Windsor

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 94-6460 Filed 3-22-94; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6325-01-M