May 18, 2016

Effort to restore per diem pay moves forward

An effort to force the Department of Defense to pay a higher per-diem to shipyard employees working away from home has taken another step toward fruition.

U.S. Rep. Derek Kilmer, D-Gig Harbor, got language into the defense appropriations bill Tuesday to stop a reduction of the per diem for military members and civilian employees based on the length of their travel assignment.

The Defense Department cut the rate by 25 percent for temporary duty periods longer than 30 days and 45 percent for those lasting longer than 180 days.

Each year, more than 1,000 workers from Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Naval Base Kitsap are deployed throughout the Pacific to maintain the fleet.

Kilmer said workers who are asked to be away from their homes and families shouldn't have to take a financial hit. It hurts morale, retention and recruitment.

The language could be removed from the bill during floor debate or Congress might never pass the bill and go with a continuing resolution, falling back on last year's numbers.


By:  Kitsap Sun Staff
Source: Kitsap Sun