Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09LISBON376
2009-07-15 15:00:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Lisbon
Cable title:
US, PORTUGAL RESOLVE LAJES WAGE DISPUTE
how-toVZCZCXRO8126 RR RUEHAG RUEHDF RUEHIK RUEHLZ RUEHROV RUEHSL RUEHSR DE RUEHLI #0376 1961500 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 151500Z JUL 09 FM AMEMBASSY LISBON TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 7744 INFO RUCNMEM/EU MEMBER STATES RUEHPD/AMCONSUL PONTA DELGADA 0615 RUEKJCS/OSD WASHDC RUVACEA/65 CES LAJES FIELD PO RHFQAAA/USAFE RAMSTEIN AB GE
UNCLAS LISBON 000376
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS PGOV OVIP PO
SUBJECT: US, PORTUGAL RESOLVE LAJES WAGE DISPUTE
REF: LISBON 254
UNCLAS LISBON 000376
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS PGOV OVIP PO
SUBJECT: US, PORTUGAL RESOLVE LAJES WAGE DISPUTE
REF: LISBON 254
1. (SBU) On July 11, 2009 Deputy Secretary of State James
Steinberg and Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado signed
agreements for a new wage increase procedure for Portuguese
employees at Lajes Air Base in the Azores, resolving one of
our most difficult bilateral issues. Although the economic
impact of the change is negligible compared to the annual
costs of U.S. activity at the base, bilateral disagreement
over the issue had become increasingly contentious over the
last three years and was overshadowing our otherwise
harmonious and productive bilateral military and scientific
cooperation.
2. (SBU) Annual salary increases for local workers subject
to the work regulation will now be increased by either the
salary increase of Government of Portugal civil service
employees or the base pay increase of U.S. Department of
Defense (DOD) General Schedule civilian employees, whichever
is greater. The new procedure replaces calculation of local
worker raises based on results of an annual wage survey, not
to exceed the U.S. DOD or Portuguese civil service increase.
Despite 65 ABW compliance with the raise calculation formula
as defined by the work regulation, the Portuguese disputed
the calculated salary increases for 2006 and 2007 because
they were capped below the wage survey results, and over the
past two years this disagreement came to dominate discussion
at the biannual meetings of the U.S.-Portugal Bilateral
Commission.
3. (SBU) The signing of the agreements is an important step
in resolving what has come to be known as "the Lajes wage
dispute," but additional work remains. The recently-signed
amendments must be put into effect, which can be done
administratively by the 65 ABW but requires legislation to be
passed by the Portuguese parliament. Additionally, DOD has
agreed to fund the "shortfalls" claimed by the Portuguese for
2006 and 2007, and this funding must be authorized,
appropriated, and disbursed. Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA)
is sponsoring necessary funding language in House
authorization and appropriations bills. Provided the
authorization and appropriation are passed, the funds must be
disbursed to the Portuguese before the end of FY2010.
4. (SBU) Comment: Over the past two years the angst
generated by this wage dispute had grown completely out of
proportion related to the money in question, so this
agreement is warmly welcomed by all parties and eliminates
perhaps the most troublesome issue between the U.S. and one
of our oldest allies. End comment.
For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal,
please see our Intelink site:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal
BALLARD
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PREL MARR MOPS PGOV OVIP PO
SUBJECT: US, PORTUGAL RESOLVE LAJES WAGE DISPUTE
REF: LISBON 254
1. (SBU) On July 11, 2009 Deputy Secretary of State James
Steinberg and Portuguese Foreign Minister Luis Amado signed
agreements for a new wage increase procedure for Portuguese
employees at Lajes Air Base in the Azores, resolving one of
our most difficult bilateral issues. Although the economic
impact of the change is negligible compared to the annual
costs of U.S. activity at the base, bilateral disagreement
over the issue had become increasingly contentious over the
last three years and was overshadowing our otherwise
harmonious and productive bilateral military and scientific
cooperation.
2. (SBU) Annual salary increases for local workers subject
to the work regulation will now be increased by either the
salary increase of Government of Portugal civil service
employees or the base pay increase of U.S. Department of
Defense (DOD) General Schedule civilian employees, whichever
is greater. The new procedure replaces calculation of local
worker raises based on results of an annual wage survey, not
to exceed the U.S. DOD or Portuguese civil service increase.
Despite 65 ABW compliance with the raise calculation formula
as defined by the work regulation, the Portuguese disputed
the calculated salary increases for 2006 and 2007 because
they were capped below the wage survey results, and over the
past two years this disagreement came to dominate discussion
at the biannual meetings of the U.S.-Portugal Bilateral
Commission.
3. (SBU) The signing of the agreements is an important step
in resolving what has come to be known as "the Lajes wage
dispute," but additional work remains. The recently-signed
amendments must be put into effect, which can be done
administratively by the 65 ABW but requires legislation to be
passed by the Portuguese parliament. Additionally, DOD has
agreed to fund the "shortfalls" claimed by the Portuguese for
2006 and 2007, and this funding must be authorized,
appropriated, and disbursed. Congressman Barney Frank (D-MA)
is sponsoring necessary funding language in House
authorization and appropriations bills. Provided the
authorization and appropriation are passed, the funds must be
disbursed to the Portuguese before the end of FY2010.
4. (SBU) Comment: Over the past two years the angst
generated by this wage dispute had grown completely out of
proportion related to the money in question, so this
agreement is warmly welcomed by all parties and eliminates
perhaps the most troublesome issue between the U.S. and one
of our oldest allies. End comment.
For more reporting from Embassy Lisbon and information about Portugal,
please see our Intelink site:
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/portal:port ugal
BALLARD