State workers wouldn’t see pay hikes based on experience until oil prices rise sharply, under a bill introduced in the House on Monday.
House Bill 379 says that the Legislature plans to approve contracts with public employee unions that suspend step increases until after oil prices average $90 per barrel for a year.
While Gov. Bill Walker’s negotiates contracts with workers, the bill seeks to limit these contracts. Currently, workers receive step increases each of their first five or six years, then periodically after that.
Legislative leaders have been looking for ways to reduce the state budget as they weigh cuts to Permanent Fund dividends and oil and gas tax credits.
It was the only bill introduced Monday, the first day after the scheduled end of the legislative session.
