Judicial Branch awaits Hay Study funding

by Mindy Aguon

Guam - While they acknowledge that Judiciary employees are making less than their counterparts across the nation, the third branch of government is struggling with the cash shortage as well. The Judicial Council passed a resolution supporting the adoption of the 2010 Hay Compensation Study but deferred the actual implementation until the government provides the $13.1 million needed to implement the raises.

Court policy, planning and communications director Maria Cenzon said, "We recognize that the statute requires us to pay it and we recognize that their entitled to it based on the statute, but again it would be irresponsible for the judiciary to try to pay out amounts when there really is no funding."

The Council agreed that when funding does become available, court employees will receive the pay retroactive to October 1, 2010.