Subscribe free to our daily email newsletterContributor Opinion By Anne Robbins: Sign Of The Economic Times
Mar 2, 2009 15:52 - 7 Comments
>I have been hearing from citizens re our 2010 City budget; they are particularly concerned with a 3.25% cost-of-living increase for employees and most feel that this is not in tune with the economic times. Up front, I want to state that I am well aware that we have dedicated employees, bjut this is no ordinary time. Several citizens mentioned that the Income Tax Offset Credit, (given in 2008 & 2009 to owner-occupied residential property), is being excluded from the 2010 budget, but they are willing to accept that because of the economy. One long-time resident wrote: MAX 2% COLA for employees just like the 2% recommended in the President’s budget for federal employees.
I would like to schedule a meeting with Stacey and/or Gavin to discuss our 2010 budget. To be frank, there are so many bullets after many of the budget principles, that I felt like throwing my hands up and yelling, caveat emptor. I would like to get some straight answers on COLA’s, merit system raises, and the number of employees covered by a union.
Once again, I commend our dedicated employees, but because of economic circumstances, I have to join a growing list of citizens questioning a 3.25 % COLA in this terrible, terrible economic period that I believe , may last longer than we all hope.
Sincerely,
Anne Robbins
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I dunno, the guys cleaning my street at 5 this morning looked like they were deserving of a 3.25% raise.
Wow… this is a tough one. I also find that our city employees work very hard and are very dedicated. I would be tempted to say it would be hard to find a better group of individuals. >
At least not the ones I come in contact with — from trash day through Mayor and Council meetings.
However it is more than just looking at the raise increase as one single number. I am researching how a union organization is crippling an entire industry by demanding across the board increases for all union members, even though some — who are in extremely menial positions and have been for quite a long time – and after decades of those raises, are making incredible salaries.
So — without demeaning those that work hard, I think that raises should be scaled. It is hard on all of us right now. But it is a lot harder on those just getting started and it would seem to make sense to give them the helping hand our economy has broken.
Give them a chance to work toward a salary that allows them to purchase a home and have a savings account and to not make a 3.25% increase a right of employment. I would look at salaries fairly — rewarding those who deserve the full 3.25% PLUS are on the lower end of the pay scale.
Look at it this way, if you are already making $75,000.00 a year a .0325 raise is $2,487. If you are making $25,000 it is $812.50. I am not an economist, but it just seems more fair, to the great city employees and to the tax payer.
Why is this tough? Many companies went on 18 month cycles years ago. Many companies stopped expanding steps and salary levels, and when one reached the limit, they received annual lump sums as opposed to raises to base salaries. The City is proposing the 3.2% COLA across the board raise, plus up to 3.5% merit increase, plus adding additional steps so more people can get raises. All this is happening when others are losing jobs, getting furloughed, etc. These are times when everyone who has a job should be thankful for just that. City employees are some of the highest paid in cities of comparable size. I see nothing wrong with something like a 2% COLA.
Here’s my thing, we expect more from our employees than most. Rockville is “spoiled” in the sense that we get “Cadillac service for the price of a Ford”. That is mainly because the City takes great time and care in hiring top notch employees. What are we saying to them by cutting their COLA’s, I can take cutting merit pay down or stretching their merit evaluations over 18 months. But most City employees cannot even afford to leave in the City, and we are asking to do more for less now, I feel that is very arrogant of us as Rockville residents and I say no.
“I have to join a growing list of citizens questioning a 3.25 % COLA in this terrible, terrible economic period that I believe , may last longer than we all hope.”>
Ms. Robbins, you are not a citizen, you are an elected official. I would hope that you scrutinize the entire budget, not just this aspect of it, as part of your official duties. Hopefully, you are more informed than most and have information at hand and will not focus out the low-hanging fruit.
FYI, I work for a DC company that not only froze all raises (we only ever got merit) but imposed an across the board 3% pay cut — indefinitely.
I am curious–who are “Stacy” and “Gavin?” We are not all insiders.
Just FYI, I removed a comment immediately above that went over the line in terms of being an attack on an individual. Our comment policy can be stated simply: disagree, but do not be disagreeable!>
Thanks.
–Brad
“I would like to schedule a meeting with Stacey and/or Gavin to discuss our 2010 budget.”>
That’s not an opinion; that’s stream of consciousness babble. Is there something preventing Councilmember Robbins from scheduling “a meeting with Stacey and/or Gavin,” whoever they may be?