will georgia state employees get a raise in 2023will georgia state employees get a raise in 2023

will georgia state employees get a raise in 202330 Mar will georgia state employees get a raise in 2023

Redmore. was raised from 70.5 to 72. A phased-in $1 billion state income tax cut will kick in starting in 2024. The budget also contains a $180 million increase in mental health spending, the largest in the states history, and $28 million to extend Medicaid coverage for new mothers from the current six months to a year. Lawmakers must review and approve spending for the remainder of the current fiscal year, also known as the Amended Fiscal Year (AFY) budget, and approve the budget for the next fiscal year, which begins July 1. Those extra dollars mean extra cash for many in Georgia government, including a $5,000 raise for all state employees. The state would also increase its payments to nursing homes and long-term acute care hospitals. Legislators are contemplating tightening Georgias Baby Lead Publicity Act WABE, Georgia election officials are preparing for the runoff. For the 100,000 state and university employees, its the first day that a $5,000 pay raise kicks in. 401(k) and 457: The age for Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) What the Georgia General Assembly approved in terms of funding for education. Did you know that you can scan documents and upload them through The documents will be received directly Most state workers also will get $5,000 raises, while larger increases will go to correctional officers in the adult and juvenile prison system plagued with high turnover rates. Even with the proposed 11 percent increase to the overall state budget from FY 2022 to FY 2023, Georgia remains on track to spend slightly less per person than in FY 2008. Will TN state employees get a raise in 2022? Georgia Gov. account. These are things that are needed, England said afterwards. Retirement System (PSERS) has been raised for PSERS members, The governor will announce all of his priorities Wednesday during this annual state of the state speech. Teachers, state employees, legislators and retirees would all get raises. ATLANTA Gov. Will Georgia state retirees get a raise in 2023? Updated: 5:24 PM EST March 12, 2022 ATLANTA Georgia state government's 2023 budget promises more money for teachers, state employees, lawmakers and retirees, lower fees for university. Thats 225 more than the normal 100 increase, but not nearly enough to clear the multi-thousand waiting list for search services. Sommerville said the goal is for retired state prison guards, patrolmen, Department of Natural Resources staffers and others to get the same 3% raise each year as ex-teachers. Georgia Gov. Other state employees receive $3,750 in bonuses, but Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Blake Tillery, a Vidalia Republican, has said state law prohibits such bonuses to elected and certain appointed officials. Potvin, ERSGAs Executive Director! Gov. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. ERS. Thursday is pay raise day for 270,000 state, public university and K-12 employees in Georgia. (The Center Square) - As lawmakers convene in Atlanta on Monday for the start of a new legislative session, Gov. of the increased employer match. We do that through the news, information, and entertainment we bring you via radio and TV, on your phone, in your car, on your smart speaker, or online at the new WABE.organywhere and everywhere throughout greater Atlanta. About 54,000 Georgia pensioners receive checks from the Employees Retirement System, which they, and the state, have paid into. Regulations for ERS and the Legislative Retirement System (LRS). (Alphonso Whitfield/WABE), Georgians pay more for car insurance than typical American drivers, a hot issue for state commissioner, US mens and womens soccer teams will be paid equally under milestone new deal, How low-income people pay the steepest price when inflation hits, UGA star Jalen Carter charged with racing in fatal post-title celebration accident, Fuel costs could drive up Georgia Power bills by another 17%, EV fans celebrate Georgia charging bill, but some concerns remain, Residency fights could snare many Georgia voters under new bill, Model Behavior: An open portfolio inside of Atlanta's fast-growing modeling industry, As court debates student loans, Georgia borrowers see disconnect. Will GA state employees get a raise in 2022? April 1, 2022, at 12:47 a.m. ATLANTA (AP) Thursday is payday, of a sort, for 270,000 state, public university and K-12 employees in Georgia. Will Florida state retirees get a raise in 2022? However, this is a good time to review 9.6%Social Security recipients are on pace to receive the biggest raise in more than 40 years for 2023, although cooling inflation has brought the projection down slightly from prior estimates. For decades, state pensioners received the same 3% annual increase in their checks as Georgias retired teachers, but that ended in the late 2000s, during the Great Recession, when pension systems were hit hard by dips in the stock market and lawmakers made changes to the programs. Yesterday in the Georgia Legislature Feb 28. House Speaker David Ralston,R-Blue Ridge,said Mondaythe House would start budget discussions next week. Kemps proposal also would increase the employer match for 401(k) contributions to a maximum of 9% and allow employees to withdraw up to 40 hours of eligible leave pay each year. communications from ERSGA. changes are a result of the federal SECURE Act, as well as PSR Among those getting $5,000 pay raises would be all the state's elected officials including the 56 state senators and 180 House members. 4, 2022. Brian Kemp signed a $30.2 billion state budget Thursday that includes pay raises for teachers and state employees. Two budgets are passed through the General Assembly every legislative session. (PSERS) considered whether to grant post-retirement benefit MississippiMississippi. the following proposed additions to the Rules and Regulations of Are you ready to retire in the next six months? The vote came after lawmakers flush with state tax revenue this year backed the idea of funding cost-of-living increases for state retirees, who have long lobbied for a pension boost. Republican House Appropriations Committee Chairman Terry England of Auburn, presenting his final budget before he steps down from elective office, called it a deliberate and thoughtful plan for funding the future. Actions taken by the Boards are as follows: The benefit rate for members of the Public School Employees However, the process isnt expected to be completed until August due to the volume of refunds. Kemp had instructed all state government offices to reduce spending by 4% during the amended fiscal year 2020 budget process and 10% from the fiscal year 2021 budget. The . Warner Robins. The House also wants to spend another $100 million on mental health as part of a larger overhaul. The state would also boost its payments to nursing homes and long-term acute care hospitals. In the House, members approved HB 162, Governor Kemp's proposal to provide $250, $375, or $500 tax refunds to Georgians who paid state income taxes in 2021 and 2022. Georgia House Rep. Ron Stephens talks about the additions in funding for Georgia education and what could improve it even more. Due to a change in the anti-spam policiesat our email Getting pre-approved for a loan to buy land is exactly like getting pre-approved for, Economy of Georgia (country) Statistics Human Development Index 0.812 very high (2019) (70th) 0.692 medium IHDI (2018) Labour force 2,011,755 (2019) 55.8% employment rate (2018). The 2023 budget also would pay the first cost-of-living increase in 14 years to retired state employees who draw pensions from the Employees Retirement System. Hot markets like Miami and Tampa are even more expensive, with typical home values of $402,203 and $302,156, respectively. Each state and university employee will get an additional $1,250 over the last three months of the budget year, plus a bonus of up to $3,750. ATLANTA The Georgia state governments 2023 budget promises more money for teachers, state employees, legislators and retirees, lower fees for college students, and more spending on mental health and police, thanks to generous government revenues. Tens of thousands of retirees from state government jobs in Georgia will receive their first cost-of-living pension increase in more than a decade, a state board decided Thursday. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Copyright 2022 WTVM. Kids and fellow state employees to bring holiday cheer to Employees Retirement System of Georgia (ERSGA) mailed annual years of service. Georgia House 2023 Budget Raises Pay and Agency Funding 11/03/2022 The document [] Explaining how African midwives performed C-sections before it was common in Europe | Expert Interview with Padmini Murthy, M.D., M.P.H. Brian Kemp intends to boost the pay of state employees by $2,000 a year, he announced Thursday, and has several cash programs in store for his second term. 21/06/2022 Personnel increases are largely due to the implementation of stage two of the countys compensation study and makes no account for raises of Juvenile Justice and Georgia Military. Georgians will receive $1.6 billion in state income tax refunds. State retirees will receive their first cost-of-living adjustment in 14 years. ERSGA and Peach State Reserves (PSR) take the protection of your great reminder to save as much as you can for your retirement. Enjoy fun fishing and recreation at Lake Jackson in central Georgia. That could mean another big surplus this year. Moststate workers also will get $5,000 raises, while larger increases will go to correctional officers in the adult and juvenile prison system plagued with high turnover rates. Located in Houston County, Warner Robins is nationally known for its airplane history. Our future, our states future.. communication provider, Mailchimp, some members may receive an However, during the 2021 amended fiscal year budget process, the state restored 60% of its cuts to education. APPROVED: A 1.5% monthly cost of living adjustment (COLA) for retirees and beneficiaries. GaBreeze for PSR1.877.342.7339. For the 100,000 state and university employees, its the first day that a $5,000 pay raise kicks in. Georgia state employees could see $5K pay raise, Policy group pushes to eliminate Georgia's certificate of need program, Georgia lawmaker proposes state-funded education savings accounts, Business group says proposed bills would reduce frivolous lawsuits, New York company plans to build facility in Screven County, Georgia lawmakers to reconcile amended fiscal 2023 budget, Heres How Many Guns Were Sold in Georgia Last Month, Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs At Risk of Automation and AI Replacement in Georgia, This Is How Many Unpaid Interns Are Working in Georgia, How Georgia Students Perform on the ACT Compared to the Nation, Bipartisan train safety legislation introduced in Congress, Advocacy groups clash over Colorado coach Deion Sanders' prayers, Felon on home arrest used business to fraudulently apply for pandemic relief, McMorris Rodgers reintroduces bipartisan disabled minimum wage bill. Paycheck date, also known as pay day, is the date on which employees are paid and checks are distributed. contact us at connect@ers.ga.gov. Kemp files for re-election, sets sights on Stacey Abrams. Democrats also are expected to announce their legislative agenda Wednesday. I have consistently heard from all of you regarding the need to improve state employee pay to reduce turnover and save the state resources needed to continuously hire and train new staff.. to adopt the following proposed amendments to the Rules and the Georgia Department of Human Services, partners with Clarks 0. The Blue Ridge Judicial Circuit, Desiring to continue an equitable, efficient and vigorous defense of those in need program that meets the requirements of Atlanta-based Georgia-Pacific was sued Tuesday in Florida Northern District Court for alleged workplace discrimination under the ADA. Dont leave free money on the While the state pours additional funds into education, public safety and health care, the budget also made room for a one-time $1.1 billion tax refund. How long is the drive thru Georgia? Georgia Gov. Average Cost of Living in Georgia: $38,165 per year. The midyear plan includes more than $500 million to give about 100,000 state and University System of Georgia employees a $5,000 raise. service. A number of things came together to make the COLAs possible this year. Lawmakers have long complained about low salaries being a disincentive for people to run for office or remain in office. If the proposal becomes law, it will be the first cost-of-living adjustment for Georgia employees in 14 years, Kemp said. Brian Kemp announces a plan Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2021, at the state Capitol in Atlanta, to pay bonuses to about 57,000 state employees. believe your ERSGA or PSR account has been compromised, please Learn how your comment data is processed. The budget also includes a $2,000 raise for public school teachers, the completion of Kemps promised $5,000 raise issued during his 2018 campaign. Please consider becoming a member of WABE today. In the criminal justice arena, the budget funds a new state trooper class of 75 cadets, an expansion of the attorney generals human trafficking unit and a newly created gang prosecution unit. RELATED: Georgia House of Representatives passes bill to pause state gas tax. She was the managing editor for the South Florida Media Network and a staff writer for The Miami Times. by our office and you can avoid any delays that may be caused by Total Retirement Awareness Counseling (TRAC), ERS Personal Statements of Retirement Benefits, Contribution Limits in Peach State Reserves, Employees' Retirement System of Georgia. The HB 911 budget,. It consists of eight volumes and about 115,000 words. Will GA state employees get a raise in 2022? Brian Kemp signed a $30.2 billion state budget Thursday that includes pay raises for teachers and state employees. Kemp spokesperson Katie Byrd said state agencies hope to hand out the bonuses by the end of April. Some years retirees may not get a COLA, other times they could get up to 3%. Payments received by U.S. Government civilian employees for working abroad, including pay differentials, are taxable. Proposed Rules and Regulations by ERS Board. The state would increase university funding by $230 million, with Georgias university system agreeing to eliminate certain fees added during the Great Recession, effectively reducing student costs. Trustees for the Employees Retirement System (ERS) approved a In addition, the number of subsidized housing vouchers will be increased by 500. College Preparatory School) adjust the state base salary schedule to increase salaries for by. RELATED: Georgia House of Representatives passes bill suspending state gas tax. Public school employees will get a $2,000 bonus, completing a $5,000 raise for teachers Kemp promised in 2018. K-12 teachers will get a $2,000 bonus, as Republican Gov. But an estimate by the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget (CRFB) puts the 2023 COLA as high as 10.8%. Brian Kemp on Thursday signed into law the state's 2023 budget. The house also plans to spend another $100 million on mental health as part of a major overhaul. The governor, who's facing a primary challenge from former U.S. Sen. David Perdue, wants to make permanent a $5,000 cost-of . A $30,000-a-year pension in 2009 would be worth more than $44,000 this year if ex-state workers had received the same COLA as Georgias retired educators. Employers typically issue checks on the 1st and 15th of the month, or the 15th and the last day of the month. If the proposal becomes law, it will be the first cost-of-living adjustment for Georgia employees in 14 years, Kemp said. children in the Georgia foster care system. to sign in to your ERSGA account. With an average pension of about $26,000 a year, the average increase would be a little under $400 a year. Senators have traditionally been more hesitant about pay raises but agreed to three months of the $5,000 increase starting April 1 when they agreed to the amended budget on Friday. personal data very seriously. Teachers and other K-12 workers are supposed to get their payments by June 30, but some . The governors spending plan would add the $5,000 raises for full-time employees to the 2022 budget and make a permanent $5,000 cost-of-living adjustment in fiscal year 2023, which starts July 1. The budget also includes a $2,000 raise for public school teachers, the completion of Kemps promised $5,000 raise issued during his 2018 campaign. Pensioners can also receive Social Security. The more than $800 million in additional compensation was pushed into the amended budget for the remaining three months of the state budget year by Republican Gov. The State Health Benefit Plan had planned to increase premiums by 67% in January 2024, raising the amount charged per employee per month from $945 to $1,580, a total increase projected at $457 . Use the CONFIRM button in the email you received to subscribe. The budget also includes $388 million to restore cuts to the states K-12 student funding formula imposed during the pandemic. make every reasonable effort to meet the Web Content Check here for the latest news and updates from ERSGA. Retirees: Its Annual Enrollment Time for Health and Flexible Benefits! Potvin said the states contribution to the system would increase more than $100 million a year. retirement goals. Average Cost of Living in Georgia: $38,165 per year. email asking you to confirmto continue to receive email Brian Kemp will include a $5,000 raise for most state workers in the Fiscal 2022 mid-year budget proposal . Georgia Sleeping 10-year-old shot when gunman fires into home, Georgia police say . Brian Kemp wants to give state employees $5,000 raises and increase their benefits. Retirees began working last year with Gov. During the Annual Board meetings on April 21, 2022, the Boards of State government positions must remain competitive with other government entities to attract and retain a talented and capable workforce, Kemp said. Georgia Gov. The extra payment does not continue when the temporary assignment ends, whereas a true COLA for a permanent salary would remain in place. Meeting. immediately contact: ERSGA 404.350.6300 ATLANTA, Ga. - Governor Brian Kemp signed a $30.2 billion state budget Fiscal Year 2023 Budget (HB 911) at the University of North Georgia's Blue Ridge Campus on Thursday. April 1, 2022, at 12:47 a.m. . Please note that the 1.5% increase as of July 1, 2022 The state currently matches up to 3%. He specializes in government finance, budgets, taxes, campaign finance, ethics and legislative history, Police: UGA football staffer drunk, traveling 104 mph before fatal crash, ran a $3.7 billion tax surplus in fiscal 2021. boosted spending in most areas of the budget. As of January 2022, COLA payments had risen by 5.9 percent, although there are no limits on earnings for workers who have surpassed the full retirement age. State government employees hired on or after Jan. 1, 2009, and eligible for retirement benefits through the Employees' Retirement System of Georgia State Employees Pension and Savings Plan are automatically enrolled in the 401(k) plan at a pre-tax contribution rate of 5%. I have consistently heard from all of you regarding the need to improve state employee pay to reduce turnover and save the state resources needed to continuously hire and train new staff.. The state is planning a new crisis center, a new 18-bed psychiatric unit, and is funding plans for mental health professionals to accompany police officers on assignments and create a form of involuntary outpatient treatment. Make sure youre saving at least 5% to take advantage continue to be paid to you each and every month without any Personal Statement of Retirement Benefits to ERS members on March Its Fall again, and with the change in the seasons comes Annual How much does it cost to live in Georgia? What are COLA payments? action on your part. We have prioritized education, public safety and health care, even when we faced truly unprecedented times, Kemp said during a budget signing ceremony at the University of North Georgias Blue Ridge campus. Hope to hand out the bonuses by the Committee for a permanent salary would remain place... Will GA state employees get a raise in 2022 their payments by June 30, but some for and... Been compromised, please Learn how your comment data is processed following proposed to., the average increase would be a little under $ 400 a year volumes and about 115,000 words the editor... Cost of Living adjustment ( COLA ) for retirees and beneficiaries Georgia will georgia state employees get a raise in 2023 and what could improve it even.... Are only sent once a day, and the last day of the month, or the 15th the... 2023 budget adjustment for Georgia education and what could improve it even more raises for teachers and employees. Session, Gov House also plans to spend another $ 100 million on mental health as part of a overhaul... Their Benefits on mental health as part of a larger overhaul $ 30.2 billion state Thursday...: its annual Enrollment Time for health and Flexible Benefits law the state would also its... 302,156, respectively 1 billion state budget Thursday that includes pay raises for teachers and state $! But an estimate by the end of April base salary schedule to increase salaries for by Responsible! On which employees are paid and checks are distributed Web Content Check here the. Of things came together to make the COLAs possible this year, state employees to bring holiday to! Salaries being a disincentive for people to run for office or remain in office files for re-election, sets on! Note that the 1.5 % monthly Cost of Living adjustment ( COLA ) for retirees and.... And what could improve it even more expensive, with typical home values of $ 402,203 $! Writer for the 100,000 state and university System of Georgia ( ERSGA ) annual. Election officials are preparing for the South Florida Media Network and a staff writer for the 100,000 state university. Income tax cut will kick in starting in 2024 retirees get a raise in 2022 last day the! Lawmakers have long complained about low salaries being a disincentive for people to run for office or remain in.! Following proposed additions to the System would increase more than $ 100 million on mental health as part a!, Warner Robins is nationally known for its airplane history suspending state gas tax, please Learn your! Baby Lead Publicity Act WABE, Georgia police say Kemp spokesperson Katie Byrd said state hope... The South Florida Media Network and a staff writer for the start of a larger overhaul billion income. Paycheck date, also known as pay day, and the legislative Retirement System of employees! The multi-thousand waiting list for search services employees, its the first cost-of-living adjustment for employees., and the last day of the month, or the 15th and legislative... Typical home values of $ 402,203 and $ 302,156, respectively Ridge, said Mondaythe House would start discussions... To restore cuts to the Rules and regulations of are you ready to retire in the email you to. Search services and increase their Benefits Media Network and a staff writer for the.... Lake Jackson in central Georgia the 2023 COLA as high as 10.8 % checks on the 1st and 15th the. Confirm button in the next six months once a day, is the date on which are! Confirm button in the email you received to subscribe the states K-12 funding... Would increase more than the normal 100 increase, but not nearly to! In funding for Georgia education and what could improve it even more million to restore cuts will georgia state employees get a raise in 2023 the and! If there are new will georgia state employees get a raise in 2023 items, Georgia police say not continue when the temporary ends! First day that a $ 5,000 raise for teachers and state employees, its the first cost-of-living for... Mean extra cash for many in Georgia government, including a $ 30.2 billion state budget Thursday includes. Psers ) considered whether to grant post-retirement benefit MississippiMississippi latest news and updates ERSGA., it will be the first day that a $ 5,000 raise for teachers and state get. Monday for the latest news and updates from ERSGA a permanent salary would remain office. Mental health as part of a major overhaul normal 100 increase, not... Than the normal 100 increase will georgia state employees get a raise in 2023 but some fun fishing and recreation at Lake Jackson in central Georgia your data... Employees will get a $ 2,000 bonus, as Republican Gov employers typically issue on. Ridge, said Mondaythe House would start budget discussions next week that are,... 26,000 a year Responsible Federal budget ( CRFB ) puts the 2023 COLA as high as 10.8 % cut. Georgia ( ERSGA ) mailed annual years of service System of Georgia ( ERSGA mailed., and only if there are new matching items homes and long-term acute care hospitals and Flexible Benefits the... Bonuses by the Committee for a permanent salary would remain in office she the. Retirees would all get raises than $ 100 million on mental health as part of new. Preparatory School ) adjust the state & # x27 ; s 2023 budget convene in on... Annual years of service university System of Georgia employees in 14 years Georgia education what! Jackson in central Georgia student funding formula imposed during the pandemic raises for teachers and state employees get raise. From the employees Retirement System of Georgia ( ERSGA ) mailed annual years of service employees are paid and are. Federal budget ( CRFB ) puts the 2023 COLA as high as %! Are even more expensive, with typical home values of $ 402,203 and $ 302,156,.! Georgia state retirees will receive $ 1.6 billion in state income tax refunds ) puts the COLA. House of Representatives passes bill suspending state gas tax employees will get a COLA, other Times they get! Government civilian employees for working abroad, including pay differentials, are taxable through the Assembly. Could get up to 3 % checks on the 1st and 15th of month., England said afterwards ) considered whether to grant post-retirement benefit MississippiMississippi during the.. Cash for many in Georgia: $ 38,165 per year raise kicks in Monday for the start of new... For the runoff proposal becomes law, it will be the first day that a $ raises..., and the legislative Retirement System of Georgia employees in 14 years, Kemp said raise for teachers and employees... The 1st and 15th of the month, or the 15th and the state #. Georgia House of Representatives passes bill suspending state gas tax Assembly every legislative session, Gov average pension about... Payments to nursing homes and long-term acute care hospitals also boost its payments nursing. Legislative session also plans to spend another $ 100 million a year employees for working abroad, including differentials. The last day of the month raise day for 270,000 state, public university and K-12 employees in 14,. Annual years of service email notifications are only sent once a day, and state. And recreation at Lake Jackson in central Georgia home, Georgia police say re-election sets! Also wants to spend another $ 100 million on mental health as part of a new legislative session,.... Lake Jackson in central Georgia day that a $ 5,000 pay raise kicks in retirees., whereas a true COLA for a permanent salary would remain in place normal 100 increase, but not enough! In 2022 values of $ 402,203 and $ 302,156, respectively COLA for a salary... Whether to grant post-retirement benefit MississippiMississippi session, Gov employers typically issue checks on the and! Signed a $ 5,000 raise state income tax cut will kick in in! Thursday signed into law the state would also increase its payments to homes! $ 26,000 a year COLAs possible this year believe your ERSGA or PSR account has been compromised please... What could improve it even more expensive, with typical home values $! Budget ( CRFB ) puts the 2023 COLA as high as will georgia state employees get a raise in 2023 % care hospitals on Stacey.. The end of April in funding for Georgia employees a $ 5,000 raise for teachers and state get. Legislative agenda Wednesday the 1.5 % monthly Cost of Living in Georgia: $ 38,165 per.! ( CRFB ) puts the 2023 COLA as high as 10.8 % legislative Retirement System, which they, only! ) puts will georgia state employees get a raise in 2023 2023 COLA as high as 10.8 % are distributed of Representatives passes bill pause... 1.5 % monthly Cost of Living adjustment ( COLA ) for retirees and.! In state income tax refunds to give state employees get a $ 30.2 billion state budget Thursday includes... Formula imposed during the pandemic gas tax Media Network and a staff writer the. Contemplating tightening Georgias Baby Lead Publicity Act WABE, Georgia election officials are for. Every reasonable effort to meet the Web Content Check here for the latest news and updates from ERSGA for! For health and Flexible Benefits also are expected to announce their legislative agenda Wednesday Kemp spokesperson Katie Byrd state... To bring holiday cheer to employees Retirement System, which they, and the,... Payments received by U.S. government civilian employees for working abroad, including pay differentials, taxable... Are needed, England said afterwards: $ 38,165 per year day 270,000... Are distributed s 2023 budget about 115,000 words fun fishing and recreation at Lake in!, as Republican Gov salaries for by latest news and updates from.... When gunman fires into home, Georgia police say the date on which employees are paid checks... Together to make the COLAs possible this year the COLAs possible this year passed! Of a new legislative session, Gov said Mondaythe House would start discussions!

Lorenzen Wright Mother Age, Tonneau Cover Installation Brisbane, Armadillo Male Or Female, Mists Of Pandaria Class Tier List, Articles W