Modifications to Post Office, Longworth Building. Renovate Capitol Police Locker Rooms,

62,000

January, 1994 Locality Pay Annualization........ January, 1994 Wage Rate Annualization........... January, 1995 Cost of Living Adjustment......... January, 1995 Locality Pay........

30,000

January, 1995 Wage Rate Increase.......
Within-grades and Other Pay Changes.......
Unfunded Positions and Other Pay Changes..
Other Personnel Compensation......
Contribution to Health Benefits Funds......
Contribution to Retirement Funds......
Subsidy for Commuting Costs.......

ANNUAL RECURRING ITEMS

OTHER INCREASES
Elevator repairs increased from $82,000 to $120,000.

$

It is requested that the allotment for elevator repairs be
increased by $38,000 to keep abreast with the increased costs of labor
and materials to maintain proper operation of the elevators and
escalators. The age of the present equipment and the heavy traffic
that is handled have resulted in an increase in the failure rate of the
generators and motors.

Another factor which impacts on the maintenance budget is the increasing frequency of repairs required for solid state controls which were installed over 10 years ago in several buildings to replace the original electro-mechanical controls. Because this relatively new technology can present specialized problems the use of outside consultants has recently been necessary. It is anticipated that this trend will continue to increase as the solid state equipment ages.

This amount is required due to the age of the present equipment and the heavy traffic that is handled, which has resulted in an increase in the failure rate of the generators and motors. Since they are now obsolete and cannot be replaced, the generators and motors must be rewound by outside firms. This outside repair work is very costly, particularly when a priority elevator dedicated to Members' use during roll call votes or quorum calls must be returned to service under emergency conditions.

This allotment provides for the regular annual maintenance and repair of 23 elevators and 1 lift in the Cannon and Longworth Buildings, 30 elevators and 23 escalators in the Rayburn Building, 6 escalators providing access between the Rayburn and Longworth Buildings, 2 elevators and 2 escalators in the Underground Garages in Squares 637 and 691, and 3 elevators in the O'Neill House Office Building and 8 elevators in the Ford House Office Building, and provides for the purchase of such items as cable, minor replacement and repair parts, lubricants, oil, grease, tools, and cleaning fluid

38,000

Training increased from $37,000 to $70,000.

.$

In recent years the Architect's Office has responded to recently
amended civil rights legislation by sponsoring training such as
prevention of sexual harassment, employee rights and responsibilities,
substance abuse, and other subjects. This training is required for all
current and new employees.
Additionally, the Office requires
supervisory development training and sponsors basic educational skills
training for reading. Programs to respond to agency training needs
such as trade apprenticeships and additional supervisory development,
are being prepared.

The limited funding available for training is directed almost entirely toward the required training, leaving few resources available for other organizational training needs. Cost increases have also reduced training opportunities. As a result, the Office will have to reduce the availability of basic educational skills training and eliminate trade apprenticeship training being developed. Without an increase in this allotment there will be no monies available for work performance improvement training, technical skills training, ΟΙ training necessary for implementing or maintaining new programs or technologies.

Because of the unique and high profile environment within which the Office operates, employees must possess a combination of technical and communications skills in order to be effective and productive in supporting the activities of the Congress. Employees must have sufficient technical skills to operate and maintain the equipment the Office is responsible for, and they must have sufficient communications skills to perform their work within the Congressional community in an expedient and appropriate manner.

33,000

An increase of $24,000 is requested in order to keep abreast with increased demands as well as increased costs of supplies and materials for maintenance and cleaning of the House Office Buildings. Expenses in this allotment have continued to increase over the last few years.

The Supplies & Materials allotment is used for electrical, carpentry, plumbing and hardware maintenance activities; provides for cleaning supplies, toilet supplies and electric light bulbs and tubes, and provides supplies for Members' services such as plastic glasses, ice buckets, and huck towels.

thus

Increased activities within the buildings have necessitated the need for more frequent cleaning and maintenance schedules, requiring additional supplies and materials. In addition, the advancing age of the buildings continues to increase the cost of maintaining the appearance of the buildings, as well as, maintaining the operation of the electrical and plumbing systems. The increase in special functions by the Members also impacts on the quantities of plastic glasses, ice buckets, huck towels, etc. required to meet their needs.