Prevailing Rate Systems; Abolishment of Norfolk, MA, Nonappropriated Fund Wage Area

SUMMARY: The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is issuing interim

regulations to abolish the Norfolk, MA, nonappropriated fund (NAF)

Federal Wage System (FWS) wage area and redefine its five counties as

areas of application to nearby NAF wage areas for pay-setting purposes.

No permanent employee's wage rate will be reduced as a result of this

change.

DATES: This interim rule becomes effective on September 23, 1996.

Comments must be received by October 23, 1996. Employees currently paid

rates from the Norfolk, MA, NAF wage schedule will continue to be paid

from that schedule until their conversion to the schedules of the wage

areas to which their counties of employment are being redefined by this

rule on November 15, 1996, one day prior to the next adjustment of the

Middlesex, MA, NAF schedule.

ADDRESSES: Send or deliver comments to Donald J. Winstead, Assistant

Director for Compensation Policy, Human Resources Systems Service,

Office of Personnel Management, Room 6H31, 1900 E Street NW.,

Washington, DC 20415, or FAX: (202) 606-0824.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Frank Derby, (202) 606-2848.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Department of Defense recommended to OPM

that the Norfolk, MA, NAF FWS wage area be abolished and that the five

counties having continuing FWS employment be redefined as areas of

application to nearby NAF wage areas. Norfolk County, Plymouth County,

and Suffolk County, MA, are being redefined to the Middlesex, MA, wage

area. Barnstable County and Nantucket County, MA, are being redefined

to the Newport, RI, wage area. This change is necessary because the

pending closure of Naval Air Station, South Weymouth, MA, leaves the

Norfolk, MA, NAF wage area without an activity having the capability to

conduct a wage survey.

As required in regulation, 5 CFR 532.219, the following criteria

were considered in redefining these wage areas:

(1) Proximity of largest activity in each county;

(2) Transportation facilities and commuting patterns; and

(3) Similarities of the counties in:

(i) Overall population;

(ii) Private employment in major industry categories; and

(iii) Kinds and sizes of private industrial establishments.

All regulatory factors favor redefinition of Norfolk County and

Suffolk County to the adjacent Middlesex, MA, NAF wage area.

For Plymouth County, proximity slightly favors (10 kilometers or 6

miles) Newport, RI; however, the remaining regulatory factors--i.e.,

commuting patterns and overall population and industrial patterns--both

favor Middlesex, MA.

Commuting patterns for Barnstable County and Nantucket County

slightly favor Middlesex, MA, but proximity and overall population and

industrial patterns both favor Newport, RI.

The Federal Prevailing Rate Advisory Committee reviewed this

recommendation and by consensus recommended approval.

Waiver of Notice of Proposed Rulemaking and Delay in Effective Date

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

because the next Norfolk, MA, NAF wage survey would otherwise be

required to begin in September 1996.

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.

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.

Appendix B to Subpart B of Part 532--[Amended]

2. In appendix B to subpart B, the listing for the State of

Massachusetts is amended by removing the entry for Norfolk.

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

list for Norfolk, Massachusetts, and by revising the lists for

Middlesex, Massachusetts, and Newport, Rhode Island, to read as

follows:

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

Survey Areas

* * * * *

Massachusetts

Middlesex

Survey Area

Massachusetts:

Middlesex

Area of application. Survey area plus:

Massachusetts:

Norfolk

Plymouth

Suffolk

New Hampshire:

Hillsborough

* * * * *

Rhode Island

* * * * *

[[Page 49650]]

Newport

Survey Area

Rhode Island:

Newport

Area of application. Survey area plus:

Massachusetts:

Barnstable

Nantucket

Rhode Island:

Providence

Washington

* * * * *

[FR Doc. 96-24156 Filed 9-20-96; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6325-01-M