The increase is the result of the Consumer Price Index rise during July, the last month of the most recent six-month Cost-of-Living measuring period under the 2006 National Agreement.

“This is not only the largest COLA increase under the current contract,” said APWU President William Burrus, “but the largest such raise we’ve ever achieved.”

The Cost-Of-Living Adjustment will be effective Aug. 30, and will be reflected in Sept. 19 paychecks (Pay Period 19-08). The adjustment will amount to a 71-cent per hour increase, or $56.80 per pay period. The July index represents the completion of the fourth (of eight) six-month COLA measuring periods in the 2006-2010 Collective Bargaining Agreement.

“Cost-of-living adjustments continue to make important contributions to our members’ wages,” Burrus said. “APWU members who began 2008 at Level 5 Step O will realize an increase of nearly $3,200 per year as a result of the February upgrade and the March and August COLAs.”

There will be four more COLA adjustments under the 2006 National Agreement. After receiving no increase during the first measuring period in 2007, employees received a $686 raise last Sept. 1 and a $479 raise on March 15. With the latest adjustment, the COLA increases in the current contract will total $2,642.