Auo

[1depd]

I've read several threads, mostly on other sites, where the comparison between COPRA O/T and AUO is made. I've heard several CBPO's on the boards and at work say COPRA is better. I can definitely see where COPRA could lead to more pay. My question is actually for those receiving AUO. I'm not really interested in stories of a friend or people you've heard of, just first hand knowledge please.

Those receiving AUO, if you received O/T pay at double time, would you make out better, with the hours you are working, with AUO or COPRA O/T? At my port it works out to be a wash, but I was just wondering.

[BP348]

I'm not sure I understand the question.

If I received O/T pay at the double time rate instead of AUO would I receive more money?

I would say yes O/T at the double time rate would pay better because AUO (45 Act) dosen't pay at the double time rate. That's why USBP agents at or under the GS-12 level get FLSA.

The FLSA is the big difference between AUO (USBP) and LEAP (1811's).

I don't know any CBPO's but I've heard that most of them make more money then most USBP guys but again I don't know if that's true or not.

Also O/T days are few and far between in USBP, unless you get detailed out to AZ :rolleyes:

[1depd]

Yeah I re-read my post and it is a bit confusing. I try again.

For those who are working on the GL pay scale and receiving AUO. Would you make moer money under your current pay plan or receiving double time O/T for any O/T hours you currently work?

Does that make sense now?

[BP348]

For those who are working on the GL pay scale and receiving AUO. Would you make moer money under your current pay plan or receiving double time O/T for any O/T hours you currently work?

Here in USBP only the interns are on the GL scale. Everyone else is on the GS scale.

I'm still confused about the question.

Right now I'd take my GS-12 pay & AUO over GS-12 with O/T. This is pretty simple I get 10+ hours of AUO each week I haven't had any O/T hours in at least 18 Months.

But if your asking which makes more GS-12 with AUO or GS-12 with O/T instead of then I think the GS-12 with the O/T would make more.

I'm not sure about the CBPO's but most USBP agents get paid what the next higher 1811 makes. For example I'm a GS-12 step 2 with my AUO and night, sunday, and holiday pay I make as much or more then a GS-13 step 2 1811

[Merlin]

Yeah I re-read my post and it is a bit confusing. I try again.

For those who are working on the GL pay scale and receiving AUO. Would you make moer money under your current pay plan or receiving double time O/T for any O/T hours you currently work?

Does that make sense now?

If I understand you correctly, a GS-11 someone will always make considerably more money under COPRA OT than AUO...as long as equal hours worked are factored in.

AUO is essentially straight-time OT. 25% of base pay for 25% more hours worked. For a PA making a base of 60K, that's 60K + 15K AUO for an average of 50 hours a week.

COPRA OT is double-time. That same PA working a 50 hour week under COPRA would be looking at 60K base pay + 30K in OT over the course of the year.

The kickers...AUO is essentially gauranteed, everybody who wants it gets it. COPRA OT is not. There are lots of ports where it's unrealistic to reach 25% of base pay in OT.

[RT302]

Not sure what the COPRA O/T is, but my 25% AUO also goes towards my retirement, whereas any scheduled OT is essentially "cash up front".
Like BP348, AUO is guaranteed each pay period (as long as you work your additonal 10 hours), overtime is not always readily available. So looking long term, I would rather keep my 25% AUO than "possibly" scoring some OT, which would have to be scheduled in advance at least two weeks.

[1depd]

Not sure what the COPRA O/T is, but my 25% AUO also goes towards my retirement, whereas any scheduled OT is essentially "cash up front".

COPRA O/T is any O/T scheduled or not and is paid at double time. Also when CBPOs were granted 12d coverage we were allowed to figure 1/2 of our O/T in earnings for retirement.

BP348--What grade do you switch to the GS schedule? You said you were confused about the question but you answered it when you said, "This is pretty simple I get 10+ hours of AUO each week I haven't had any O/T hours in at least 18 Months."

Merlin--That's why I asked the question. Theoretically it is better to receive COPRA on the GS scale. When working on the GL scale it seems to be better to have AUO. I was attempting to find real world numbers, because we all know theory doesn't normally translate well into practice.

The two big drawbacks I see about AUO is straight time pay for 25% more work and not getting paid anymore for last minute calls. Obviously if you don't receive many last many calls it isn't a big deal, but if you're in an area where you get called out often then it would be worse. Neither of these items are published anywhere, so I was just curious.

[Merlin]

COPRA O/T is any O/T scheduled or not and is paid at double time. Also when CBPOs were granted 12d coverage we were allowed to figure 1/2 of our O/T in earnings for retirement.
We've actually have had that for awhile now. I believe that it's actually all overtime is credited up to 1/2 of the OT cap. (E.G. the first $17.5K is creditable in a $35K cap year.)

BP348--What grade do you switch to the GS schedule? GL scale: GL-03 through GL-10 You said you were confused about the question but you answered it when you said, "This is pretty simple I get 10+ hours of AUO each week I haven't had any O/T hours in at least 18 Months."
Actually, AUO is a form of OT. Especially as it relates to this discussion.

Merlin--That's why I asked the question. Theoretically it is better to receive COPRA on the GS scale. When working on the GL scale it seems to be better to have AUO. I was attempting to find real world numbers, because we all know theory doesn't normally translate well into practice.

A quick job figuring has a GL-05(36,658) at 45.8K at RUS scale with 25% AUO. A GS-05(29,726) working 50 hours each week(10 hours COPRA) comes in at 44.6K. Not a huge difference IMO, but for someone only working 40 hrs. it would be a fair difference.

The two big drawbacks I see about AUO is straight time pay for 25% more work and not getting paid anymore for last minute calls. Obviously if you don't receive many last many calls it isn't a big deal, but if you're in an area where you get called out often then it would be worse. Neither of these items are published anywhere, so I was just curious.
The strength of AUO is that it's quarenteed. COPRA is not. If you're somewhere seeing 5K in COPRA each year, AUO looks rather attractive.(If you don't mind working the extra 150-200 hours each year.) If you're somewhere making 14K or more in COPRA OT each year, then all AUO would do is have you work more hours a year for the same pay.

Merlin

[1depd]

Let me see if I finally have it straight.

GL scale is only used up to GL-10 then you are switched to the GS scale. No O/T if you receive AUO, unless the time is scheduled 2 weeks prior. AUO is used in calculating retirement, but O/T (for those receiving AUO) is not.

I thought I had read somewhere that the AUO paperwork was filled out periodically and you might receive less than the 25% if you didn't average 10 hours O/T during the period. Is that how it's supposed to work?

[BP348]

Let me see if I finally have it straight.

GL scale is only used up to GL-10 then you are switched to the GS scale. No O/T if you receive AUO, unless the time is scheduled 2 weeks prior. AUO is used in calculating retirement, but O/T (for those receiving AUO) is not.

I thought I had read somewhere that the AUO paperwork was filled out periodically and you might receive less than the 25% if you didn't average 10 hours O/T during the period. Is that how it's supposed to work?

USBP only uses GL scale for interns. After that your in the GS scale.

USBP agents can receive O/T & AUO & yes 99% of the time it's scheduled 2 weeks prior. You can work your 5 days with 2 hours of AUO each day and then work a 6th day. The 6th day would be all O/T.

Yes AUO is calculated for retirement.

AUO paperwork is done every 3 or 4 payperiods ( I should remember what it is but I can't & it's a test question) Yes, you can drop to 20% or even 15% depending on the amount of AUO worked. You need to work an average of 18. 2 hours of AUO per pay period to keep your AUO at 25%.

[Merlin]

Out of curiousity 1, what's the high, low and most likely OT outcome at your port?

[1depd]

It's hard to estimate, because we are not slammed with O/T so some want it, while some constantly turn it down. Last fiscal The norm was about 7-8K, and we mostly have 5's and 7's. This year I expect it to be more since we are pretty much full and people have started getting their 9's and 11's.

[RT302]

It's hard to estimate, because we are not slammed with O/T so some want it, while some constantly turn it down. Last fiscal The norm was about 7-8K, and we mostly have 5's and 7's. This year I expect it to be more since we are pretty much full and people have started getting their 9's and 11's.

OK, so back to the origin of the thread. If I had the chance to make OT at double my hourly rate, of course I would make out better, up front. However, THAT is not going to happen in my agency. So, I personally, am satisfied with my 25% AUO, which figures to just under $15k/ year. Plus, scheduled OT. Some guys in my agency play the "first to $100k" game (which is exactly what the name implies...);)

[BP348]

Some guys in my agency play the "first to $100k" game (which is exactly what the name implies...);)

You guys are GS-9's right?

If you guys are at $100K I'm in the wrong agency :eek: USBP is Journeyman GS-11 and first line supervisors are GS-12's and I don't think any are at the $100K mark

[RT302]

You guys are GS-9's right?

Mostly GS-11's in the field (last agency was 9's in the field...) They play the 100k game by taking scheduled overtime on details, on top of their AUO. I have three details coming up. CO for big game and twice to CA for Glamis. Possibly a fourth to SD. All are scheduled OT.

If you guys are at $100K I'm in the wrong agency :eek:

This agency is chock full of ex-BP.