The ninth and final cost-of-living adjustment as negotiated under the 2006-2011 National Agreement is $978 annually, based on the July Consumer Price Index for Urban Wage Earners and Clerical Workers (CPI-W) announced Aug. 18 by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) is effective in Pay Period 20, which begins Sept. 10 (pay date Sept. 30). The COLA was based on the increase in the CPI-W between January 2011 and July 2011.

The COLA is equal to just over 47 cents per hour, or $37.60 per pay period.