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

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]

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