Special Rates Case Remains in Waiting Mode

Although a settlement was announced earlier this year in the long-running “special rate” pay suit, it still could be a number of months until anyone eligible for back pay under the agreement actually sees any money. The latest development was that the settlement was sent for approval to the United States Court of Federal Claims, which has jurisdiction over cases involving monetary claims against the government; before being sent there, the case had bounced around numerous courts for nearly two decades. The claims court must go through certain procedural steps before the agreement can be finalized and any payments can be made. The case involves employees who were in the special rate category between 1982 and 1988 and who had raises improperly capped or denied during those years under a policy in effect at the time. For now, those potentially eligible for payments need not do anything.