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Meetings will
explain details of
COLA increases
for federal workers

Star-Bulletin staff

U.S. Sen Daniel Akaka has announced a series of public meetings next month to provide details about some federal civilian employees in Hawaii receiving retroactive cost-of-living allowance increases.

The increases stem from a recent preliminary lawsuit settlement with retroactive increases back to October 1990 for some individuals in Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and Puerto Rico, and some other locations outside the contiguous United States.

Five lawsuits were filed over the calculation of nonforeign COLAs. Federal employees contended factors used by the government in calculating COLAs resulted in lower rates than warranted by high living costs in the affected areas.

Former employees and survivors of deceased employees are also covered by the settlement.

Office of Personnel Management representatives will attend the scheduled meetings to discuss the proposed settlement and respond to questions.

The lawsuit that has resulted in a preliminary settlement was filed in the Virgin Islands.

Federal employees now receive a 25 percent COLA rate on Oahu, 15 percent on the Big Island, 22.5 percent on Kauai and 22.5 percent on Maui.

Under the preliminary settlement, Oahu employees covered by the agreement will continue to receive 25 percent, but the Big Island rate goes up to 16.5 percent, Kauai up to 23.5 percent and Maui to 23.75 percent.

Although Oahu's rate of 25 percent remains unchanged, some Oahu employees will receive money under the settlement because lower COLA rates were in effect before October 1998.

Akaka urges all affected employees and retirees to attend at least one of the following public meetings:

Hilo, July 11, 11:30 a.m., IBEW Local Hall, Baker's Beach, Hilo.
Kona, July 11, 5 p.m., Royal Kona Resort.
Maui, July 12, noon, Cameron Center.
Oahu, July 13, 10 a.m., Hickam Air Force Base Theater.
Oahu, July 13-14, 2 p.m., Fort Shafter.
Oahu, July 14, 10 a.m., Federal Building.
Kauai, July 19, 5 p.m., Kalaheo Neighborhood Center.

Copies of the settlement and other information are available on the Internet at: www.colasettlement.com Settlement copies also are available by calling 1-877-480-2652 or writing the settlement administrator at: COLA Settlement, 10300 SW Allen Blvd., Beaverton, Ore. 97005-4833.