The Puerto Rico Court of Appeals recently upheld the salary structure set by the Comisión Estatal de Elecciones (CEE) for its employees, including Félix Vega Ocasio, who sought a salary increase. This decision, made on August 20, 2026, affects employees of the CEE and establishes the boundaries of salary adjustments within the agency.

The case, numbered TA2026RA00278, arose when Vega Ocasio requested a review of the CEE's decision regarding his salary classification. He argued that his position as Supervisor de Correo deserved a higher salary scale compared to another position, Supervisor de Propiedad Mueble y Almacén de Suministros. The court's ruling is significant as it reinforces the existing salary structure and the authority of the CEE in implementing salary adjustments.

Background

Félix Vega Ocasio is an employee of the CEE, which is responsible for overseeing elections in Puerto Rico. In April 2026, he submitted a request for administrative review, claiming that his salary classification was unjust compared to similar roles. Vega Ocasio's position was classified at scale 5, earning an annual salary of $33,760, while he believed it should align with scale 7, which offers $42,340 annually.

The CEE had recently implemented a new salary structure based on guidelines from the Junta de Supervisión y Administración Financiera de Puerto Rico. This new structure aimed to standardize salaries across public agencies, but Vega Ocasio contended that the classification for his role did not reflect the responsibilities he undertook. He argued that the disparity between his salary and that of the Supervisor de Propiedad Mueble was unjustified and inconsistent with market data.

The Ruling

The court ruled in favor of the CEE, confirming the decision made by the agency on May 6, 2026, which denied Vega Ocasio's request for a salary review. The court stated, "the CEE implemented correctly the Plan de Clasificación y Retribución in terms of the salary assigned to the petitioner." The ruling emphasized that the CEE was bound by the guidelines established by the Junta de Supervisión and could not unilaterally alter the salary classifications without their approval.

The panel of judges, including President Judge Rivera Marchand, Judge Mateu Meléndez, and Judge Boria Vizcarrondo, found that the CEE had adhered to the legal framework governing salary classifications. The court noted that the Committee Evaluador, which reviewed Vega Ocasio's request, acted within its authority and correctly determined that the salary adjustments were limited to aligning salaries with the established minimums.

Impact

This ruling has significant implications for employees of the CEE and potentially other public agencies in Puerto Rico. It reinforces the authority of the CEE to implement salary structures as dictated by the Junta de Supervisión, limiting individual requests for salary adjustments based on perceived inequities. The decision may deter similar requests from other employees who feel their roles warrant higher compensation.

The court's decision also clarifies the legal boundaries within which public agencies operate regarding salary classifications. It underscores that while employees can request reviews, the agencies are not obligated to make changes without substantial justification and adherence to established guidelines.

What's Next

Details were not available in the court filing regarding whether Vega Ocasio plans to appeal the decision. However, the ruling sets a precedent for how salary classifications are handled within the CEE, potentially influencing future cases involving salary disputes among public employees.