FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 11, 2026
March 11, 2026
Contact:
Tim Kauffman
202-374-6491
[email protected]
Historic Wage Increase for Anniston Army Depot Workers Brings Millions in Economic Investment to Northeast Alabama, Union Announces
Categories:
DoD, Pay, Wage Grade
About 1,500 blue-collar workers receive long-delayed pay raises plus backpay after moving to higher paying wage region, AFGE says
ANNISTON, Ala. – About 1,500 wage grade employees at Anniston Army Depot have received historic pay increases following the approval of long-delayed 2024 pay raises in addition to being realigned to a higher paying wage area, the American Federation of Government Employees said today.
It’s one of the most significant compensation improvements for the depot workforce in decades, AFGE Local 1945 President Charles “Chazz” Barclay said.
“This is a historic moment for the hardworking federal employees at Anniston Army Depot,” Barclay said. “Our employees perform critical work supporting the readiness of our nation’s military. This pay improvement recognizes their skill, dedication, and the value they bring to national defense.”
Employees were moved from the Anniston wage area to the one centered in Birmingham, Ala. Under the updated wage schedule, many employees saw significant hourly pay increases. For example, a WG‑9 Step 5 employee experienced an increase of about $3.20 per hour, moving from roughly $30 per hour to more than $33 per hour. That increase equals about $6,600 in additional annual earnings per employee, depending on grade and step level.
The change was effective at the start of the current fiscal year on Oct. 1, 2025. Many workers received thousands of dollars in back pay as a result of the retroactive adjustment, which they received this month.
The wage increase is expected to generate about $10 million in additional annual income being earned by employees and invested in the community, which in turn will benefit families and local businesses in Anniston and throughout Northeast Alabama.
“This achievement demonstrates the importance of strong labor representation and AFGE’s continued advocacy for federal employees – even as we fend off efforts by this current administration to slash the federal workforce and gut our workplace rights and protections,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said. “AFGE will continue working to ensure the men and women who support our military receive the respect and compensation they deserve.”
Workers across multiple skilled trades and occupations will benefit from the increase, including mechanics, machinists, welders, painters, sandblasters, electronics technicians, production workers, maintenance personnel, and general labor employees who perform critical work maintaining and rebuilding military equipment supporting the readiness of the U.S. Army and the Department of Defense.
In addition to the change in pay region, employees also benefited from the approval in November of long-delayed 2024 pay raises affecting more than 118,000 DoD employees across the country who are paid through the Federal Wage System. The raises were delayed due to the change in administrations.
The wage adjustment follows more than two decades of advocacy by AFGE to ensure blue-collar workers receive fair and competitive pay aligned with regional labor markets. Barclay gave particular credit to AFGE Public Policy Director Jacqueline Simon, who has worked for years across multiple presidential administrations to improve pay disparities in wage locality boundaries.
“Jacque Simon’s leadership and dedication over two decades played a critical role in bringing this issue across the finish line,” Barclay said. “Her work, along with the leadership of AFGE President Everett Kelley and AFGE’s national advocacy, helped secure this victory for federal blue‑collar workers.”
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