Heitkamp announces federal worker pay hikes in western ND

MINOT - U.S. Senator Heidi Heitkamp, D-N.D., announced Thursday that the federal government has approved a 34 percent pay increase for 160 civilian federal employees at Minot Air Force Base and across western North Dakota.
Heitkamp has led efforts to get federal employees the increase to keep pace with the rising cost of living in western North Dakota. Heitkamp’s office said she has continued pressure on Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta – who oversees federal workforce issues – to help recruit and retain federal workers in North Dakota, after she brought Archuleta to the air base and region last September to see the need to help recruit and retain federal employees. Particularly throughout the Bakken, the high cost of living and higher-paying jobs have lured away employees and potential candidates from public sector jobs, she said.
“Federal employees working in North Dakota boost our national defense, support farmers and ranchers, and provide permits for oil and natural gas drilling,” Heitkamp said.