Source: United States Senator for Vermont Patrick Leahy
(WEDNESDAY, Dec. 21, 2022) – Senator Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and Senator-elect Peter Welch (D-Vt.) are praising the recommendation issued Monday by the President’s Pay Agent to include Windsor and Orange Counties in Vermont, and Grafton and Sullivan County in New Hampshire, in the Boston area locality pay region. This action is a critical step in bringing federal salaries in Southeastern Vermont into greater parity with other area employers and making it easier for federal employers such as the White River Junction VA and the U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab to recruit and retain talented employees.
Last month, the Vermont and New Hampshire delegations wrote a joint letter to the President’s Pay Agent supporting a recommendation by the Federal Salary Council to make this long-sought change. Vermont’s Congressional Delegation has supported similar efforts by Vermonters in the past, including one that led to the establishment of a new locality pay region for northwest Vermont.
Leahy said: “Our federal employees work tirelessly to care for our veterans, conduct cutting edge research, maintain our federal facilities, and so much more. I am glad that the Biden administration is supporting this recommendation. I know it will help ensure that these exemplary employees continue to work and live in Vermont.”
“Vermont workers should not be struggling to afford the basics. Period,” said Sen. Sanders. “Vermont federal employees, who show up every day to serve their fellow Vermonters and provide essential health care to veterans, should not be struggling to afford basic needs. They should not be forced to leave a job they love because they can’t afford it, or be forced to turn down the job in the first place. I am glad to see the Biden administration stand with these workers to extend the Boston area locality pay region so Vermont federal workers in Windsor and Orange counties can receive a fair wage for their essential service to our communities.”
“This is an important step to bring White River Junction VA employees a much-needed pay increase and help meet rising costs in our region,” said Rep. Welch. “The White River Junction VA is an essential community hub and its employees deserve to be paid well for the good work they do for veterans in the state.”
The recommendation from the President’s Pay Agent will next need to be approved by President Biden, at which point there will be a public comment period before the administration implements the final rule enacting this locality pay change. We look forward to the opportunity for the public to weigh in and hope this can be implemented as soon as possible.
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