Following Calls from NH Delegation, Pay Boosted for Granite Staters Working at the VA, White Mountain National Forest, and Other Federal Offices in NH

WASHINGTON – Following a push from the New Hampshire and Vermont Congressional Delegations, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) is increasing pay for federal employees in New Hampshire and Vermont, who support Granite Staters through their work at places like the White River Junction VA Medical Center, White Mountain National Forest, and the Army’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. It applies to workers in Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton, and Sullivan Counties in New Hampshire, as well as in Vermont, who will now receive the same locality pay as those in most counties in New Hampshire and in the Greater Boston area. The classification changes in New Hampshire and Vermont will mean that more than 1,000 federal employees will now receive more competitive pay rates.

The announcement comes after the New Hampshire and Vermont Congressional Delegations urged OPM to take this action, and will help increase efforts to hire and retain federal employees for critical efforts, including implementation of the PACT Act, which Senator Hassan and colleagues developed and passed into law last year to help get veterans exposed to toxic substances the VA health care and benefits that they need.

“Granite Staters deserve a fully staffed, well-qualified federal workforce in order to best serve them,” said Senator Maggie Hassan. “This important pay increase will help recruit and retain the talented public servants who help Granite Staters – including our veterans – get the support that they need.”

“This long-overdue pay raise for the hard-working federal employees in Carroll, Cheshire, Grafton and Sullivan Counties is a great way to end the year,” said Senator Jeanne Shaheen. “I’m proud to have worked with the New Hampshire delegation to get this done so folks are paid what they deserve for the work they do.”

“Hardworking New Hampshire families deserve to be fairly compensated for their work,” said Congresswoman Annie Kuster. “I’m pleased to see this change that the New Hampshire Delegation advocated for take effect – I will always fight for our New Hampshire workforce.”

“Ensuring our federal workers’ pay keeps pace with our changing economy is common sense,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “This change will give our dedicated federal workers the raise they deserve and ensure our federal agencies can continue to attract qualified employees.”

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