Merit raises suspended: Gov. Walker makes move to deal with budget gap

MADISON (AP) — Gov. Scott Walker's administration has suspended merit raises and retention pay increases to help deal with a $283 million budget gap that must be plugged by the end of June.

The Wisconsin State Journal reports Friday that Walker sent a memo to state agency human resources directors on Feb. 5 announcing the freeze.

It's unclear how many employees will be affected. University of Wisconsin faculty, academic staff and appointees will not be affected, but UW System spokesman Alex Hummel says the freeze will apply to classified employees, including custodians, administrative assistants, information technology workers, accountants and food service workers.

The freeze affects merit pay raises and increases aimed at retaining workers. Other raises are not affected.