Today, U.S. Representative Matt Cartwright introduced the bi-partisan "Wage Grade Employee Parity Act" along with U.S. Representative Tom Cole (OK-4) as well as six other Republicans and six other Democrats.  The legislation would ensure that the percentage increase in rates of basic pay for Wage Grade (WG), or hourly, employees is equivalent to the percentage increase received by other federal employees in the same pay locality. Specifically, the legislation would provide 1,809 WG employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot a 1% Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA).

This year, the President was able to provide a 1% COLA for General Schedule (GS), or salaried, federal employees, however, he does not have the statutory authority to provide the same COLA to all federal workers.  Beginning January 1, 2014, WG employee’s wages will stay the same or even decrease thus creating a greater disparity between the wages of WG employees and GS employees.

“The inconsistency in wages between WG and GS employees is inequitable.  It hurts a group of Americans that can least afford a fourth year with no increase at all,” said Rep. Cartwright.  “For this reason, I am proud to introduce this legislation which would benefit a group that has been particularly impacted by a four year pay freeze, the recent Defense furloughs and the government shutdown.” 

There are over 174,000 WG employees who work for the Department of Defense (DoD) including 1,809 WG employees at Tobyhanna Army Depot.  Other agencies with significant numbers as well include the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the U.S. Bureau of Prisons.

Cartwright recognizes the economic importance of Tobyhanna, the largest employer in Northeastern Pennsylvania.  Earlier this year, he introduced the Locality Pay Equity Act (H.R. 2450), which would simplify, make fair, and raise pay rates for all workers at Tobyhanna.  H.R. 2450 would solve a local labor market boundary issue that has resulted in wage computation disparity between WG and GS employees.