Claim for Backpay Resulting From Reduction In Force

A civilian employee of the Department of the Air Force appealed the denial of his claim for reinstatement to grade GS-13 and backpay stemming from a reduction in force (RIF) which caused him to be reduced to a grade GS-11. The Merit Systems Protections Board (MSPB) is the appropriate authority in the case of an employee who suffers a reduction in pay because of a RIF action. Since there has been no determination by MSPB that the employee's reduction in grade was the result of an unjustified or unwarranted personnel action, he is not entitled to backpay. Accordingly, the decision of the Claims Division denying the claim for backpay was affirmed.