(06/18/13) In May 2013, the Consumer Price Index (CPI-W) rose to 683.309. After the fourth month of the six-month measuring period, the fourth cost-of-living increase under the 2010 National Agreement would be $437.00 per year, $16.80 per pay period, $0.21 per hour.

However, the fourth COLA adjustment under the 2010 National Agreement will be based on the July 2013 CPI Index point and will be effective September 7, 2013 (pay period 20-2013, pay date September 27, 2013). 

Under the terms of the 2010 National Agreement, the first and second COLAs, based on the January and July 2012 CPIs, respectively, were deferred until the first full pay period after the release of the January 2013 and the July 2013 CPI-W, respectively. Together, the first and third COLA total $207.00 and were effective March 9. They were reflected in paychecks issued March 29. The raise amounts to $7.96 per pay period and reflects increases in the cost-of-living from July 2011 to January 2012, and from July 2012 to January 2013.

The second COLA will be $375.00 per year, $14.40 per pay period, $0.18 per hour and will be effective the second full pay period following the release of the July 2013 index. The expected effective date is Sept. 7, 2013 (Pay Period 20-2013). Note: both the second and fourth COLAs under the 2010 National Agreement will be effective on this date, reflecting increases in the cost-of-living from January 2012 to July 2012, and from January 2013 to July 2013.

There will be seven COLA adjustments under the 2010-2015 Collective Bargaining Agreement based on the Jan. 2012, July 2012, Jan. 2013, July 2013, Jan. 2014, July 2014, and Jan. 2015 release of the CPI-W. Under the 2006-2010 National Agreement and the 2006-2010 Operating Services Agreement, employees received cost-of-living adjustments totaling $2,642.

In accordance with the 2010-2015 National Agreement, the Operating Services agreement has been incorporated into Article 40 of the National Agreement. There is no longer a separate Operating Services Agreement.