Pay Raise Approved for Wage-grade Maintainers

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Michael Duhe
  • 403rd Wing Public Affairs
KEESLER AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  With gloomy financial news dominating today's headlines, a new pay scale for some Air Reserve Technicians with the 403rd Wing is a ray of sunshine. 

Approximately 150 ARTs assigned to the wing's maintenance and operations groups have been affected by the new special pay rate, resulting in a bigger paycheck. Depending on pay grade, the hourly pay rate for the ARTs has increased an additional $5.77 or more per hour, which is more consistent with similar jobs in other Air Force Reserve units. The rates became effective Sept. 13. 

"I'm elated that years of hard work has paid off and our maintainers are getting the pay they deserve," said Brig. Gen. James J. Muscatell, 403rd Wing commander, "it shows what we can do when we work together."

For years, the pay scale for some ARTs with the 403rd Wing languished at the bottom or near-bottom of Air Force Reserve Command. Last year, Chief Master Sgt. Charles Gaffney, 403rd Maintenance Squadron's Avionics Flight chief, spearheaded the effort to obtain higher pay rates for ARTs by putting together a package proposing pay scales on par with other Reserve units. The package was then submitted to the 22nd Air Force for approval. 

The 403rd Wing received the good news Sept. 10. The 908th Maintenance Group at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. and the 439th MXG at Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass. have also recently been awarded pay raises after submitting similar proposals. 

"I think it's great," said Col. Kerry Kohler, 403rd MXG commander. "The news was very well received in the maintenance group. Everyone is very, very happy with Chief Gaffney." 

The higher pay is expected by leaders to help with recruiting and retention rates for maintenance jobs.

"It has already helped Maxwell Air Force Base, and it will definitely help us," said Kohler, who was previously assigned to the 908th MXG. "I just came from Maxwell, where we did the exact same thing, and they're now sitting at about 98 percent (job vacancies) filled. Prior to that, approximately 25 to 30 percent of their positions were vacant." 

Currently, 38 wage-grade vacancies exist within the 403rd MXG, according to the colonel. 

"We're looking for good, quality technicians to work for us, and this is just one more incentive for them to come here rather than go someplace else," he said. 

"I feel the ART pay raise has more than one benefit," said Staff Sgt. Frank King, 403rd MXG aircraft hydraulics systems technician.  "It allows people who are thinking about leaving to readdress the issue of leaving just for a pay raise. I feel the ART pay raise also could draw people here to work in this unit. I think the raise also makes people here see that management has 'made things happen' to get the workers the pay raise." 

For qualified applicants interested in applying for one of the 38 vacancies, Master Sgt. David Beach, 403rd Wing ART recruiter, can assist with the application process. The vacancies range from WG-8 to WG-11. Positions available include crew chiefs, aircraft survival and flight equipment repair, aerospace propulsion and aircraft structural maintenance. ARTs are full-time civilian employees who are required to serve as members of the Air Force Reserve. For more information contact Sergeant Beach at 228-377-3379 or david.beach@us.af.mil.