Minot Air Base Workers Get Pay Raise

MINOT, N.D. (AP) — Civilian workers at the Minot Air Force Base will receive a pay raise following federal approval of a U.S. Defense Department request.

U.S. Sen. John Hoeven announced Tuesday the Office of Personnel Management signed off on the wage increase for base laborers, custodians, maintenance mechanics, cooks and other food service employees. The raises are designed to help recruit and retain employees.

Hoeven says he has been asking the office to address cost-of-living challenges that federal workers are facing in western North Dakota due to economic growth in the oil patch. He says North Dakota energy sector growth has driven the cost of living in Minot from below the national average in 2003 to 6 percent above it in 2013.

The U.S. Postal Service announced base salary pay increases for area employees earlier this year.