Under the leadership of Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero, the government of Guam has taken a bold and commendable step towards ensuring that its hardworking employees are adequately compensated. After a long wait of nearly a decade, the General Pay Plan (GPP) pay structure has finally received a much-needed boost with the approval of a 22% increase. This move by the governor is a testament to her commitment to supporting the island’s public servants and ensuring they receive comparable compensation with their private sector counterparts.
The GPP pay structure applies to a significant portion of the government of Guam employees in the classified service who are not covered under separate compensation packages for critical roles such as nurses, law enforcement officers, educators, attorneys, and executives. The last time the plan was adjusted was back in 2014, and the governor has stated that the island’s hardworking employees have waited far too long for these much-needed adjustments. To put this in perspective, the minimum pay set in the 2014 GPP is still $7.25, and this increase adjusts it to Guam’s minimum wage of $9.25.
To fund these adjustments for the current fiscal year, the governor has submitted legislation appropriating $16 million from the government’s general fund. The bill proposes that the raises take effect from April 1, 2023, and will bring the pay and associated compensation closer to market data. The Department of Administration (DOA) has recommended the creation of a “Market Premium Pay” policy to address compensation issues for positions that demand higher pay than the GPP can compensate.
In addition to the 22% salary bump, the DOA has made several other recommendations aimed at ensuring that the GPP stays relevant and up-to-date. This includes annual pay adjustments in the range of 2% to 4% beginning fiscal year 2024, as well as adjustments to the statutory stand-alone pay scales for GPP positions. The GPP update is part of a series of updates to government pay structures, beginning with nurses’ pay in 2021, followed by law enforcement pay and then educator pay.
The governor has expressed her support for the bill and has urged its “prompt introduction and passage.” The raises are also included in the fiscal year 2024 executive budget request, which is set at about $1.12 billion. The budget recognizes the importance of parity and has allocated more than $23 million for the GPP, which is expected to require more funds next fiscal year.
In addition to funding the GPP, the FY 2024 executive budget has proposed recruiting and hiring 110 public safety personnel, including 40 police officers, 20 corrections officers, 30 customs and quarantine officers, and 20 firefighters. This is in line with the governor’s stated commitment to reducing crime and protecting Guam’s families. The budget is set at $69 million more than the Legislature projected in general fund and special fund revenues for FY 2023, which Adelup has justified by pointing to trends in current tax collections.The 22% increase to the GPP pay structure approved by Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero is a step in the right direction and a great opportunity for government of Guam employees to receive the compensation they deserve. The governor’s leadership and commitment to public servants, along with the recommendations made by the DOA, will ensure that the GPP remains relevant and up-to-date for years to come.
A public hearing was tentatively scheduled for February 14, 2022 at 9AM but has since been cancelled. More details on the next public hearing will be forthcoming.