How connected Town employees get raises.

[Surface Tension]

Most Town employees haved not had raises in years. One hasn't had a raise in 6 yrs.

So how is it that connected Town employees get "special raises"? First it was Eric Gusdek...still making more that his boss!!!

Then it was Tom Ketchum. No engineer off an existing list....guess we don't like those guys. So we give him more money....hard to resist....what a pension he's going to have. But wait....wasn't it just for 6 months??? (I hear that he does put in his time.)

Purchasing director gets a better job....not replaced....no appointment from list....guess we don't like them either. Upgrade a clerical person to do the job.

Now we stipend yet another engineer who already got a pay increase about a year ago and was made exempt. No exam....nothing competitive...Now we give him another 15K pay increase. Why???? If he is soooo invaluable why not let him take an exam and make him an asst. director or the Town engineer. Let him prove his worth.

So all the "little people" who shovel,clean, plow, work clerical etc. don't get their minimal raises through contract negotiations but some special people get "special consideration".

Is there a Club only some people can join??? Where do you sign up???

[Smiley]

At the Board meeting Monday night a resolution was put before the Board to vote on giving the seasonal employees wage increases. So they must be members of the club

[Gandalf]

Sounds like Union busting to me! Why are they STILL without contracts??

[WNYresident]

Sounds like Union busting to me! Why are they STILL without contracts??

WHen someone says they are going to shop at Wegmans instead of Tops do you start saying they are trying to bust Tops?

A union is a business organization that supplies a service, labor.

[Member 2358]

Most Town employees haved not had raises in years. One hasn't had a raise in 6 yrs.

So how is it that connected Town employees get "special raises"? First it was Eric Gusdek...still making more that his boss!!!

Then it was Tom Ketchum. No engineer off an existing list....guess we don't like those guys. So we give him more money....hard to resist....what a pension he's going to have. But wait....wasn't it just for 6 months??? (I hear that he does put in his time.)

Purchasing director gets a better job....not replaced....no appointment from list....guess we don't like them either. Upgrade a clerical person to do the job.

Now we stipend yet another engineer who already got a pay increase about a year ago and was made exempt. No exam....nothing competitive...Now we give him another 15K pay increase. Why???? If he is soooo invaluable why not let him take an exam and make him an asst. director or the Town engineer. Let him prove his worth.

So all the "little people" who shovel,clean, plow, work clerical etc. don't get their minimal raises through contract negotiations but some special people get "special consideration".

Is there a Club only some people can join??? Where do you sign up???

Ever hear of supply & demand? Ya think that there might be lots of folks that can "shovel,clean, plow, work clerical etc"... and maybe fewer that have purchasing or engineering skills?

In keeping with surface tension's comments though, I'd like to complain about a cardiac surgeon's pay 'cuz they get paid more than the toll taker at the Grand Island bridge. Union busting, I imagine, no?

[Gandalf]

WHen someone says they are going to shop at Wegmans instead of Tops do you start saying they are trying to bust Tops?

A union is a business organization that supplies a service, labor.

Poor analogy & once again you've missed the point of my response & this thread. You obviously don't have a clue about labor organizations. Refusing to bargain in good faith to negotiate a contract is not the same as choosing to shop at Tops or Wegmans! Now refusing to shop @ Walmart because you find their labor standards offensive is a different story. How long have the civil servants been without a contract? Some have been at least 3 years!! So ignore the unions & they may just go away?

[Member 2358]

...

How long have the civil servants been without a contract? Some have been at least 3 years!!

...

So what? Isn't it better to be employed with no contract? Why does anyone expect to have such a thing? Would 'they' rather be unemployed altogether?... 'cuz I imagine that if anyone is terribly distraught about the lack of a contract, they are 100% free to quit and go elsewhere. I suggest 'they' do that. If something is unfair/unreasonable/unwelcome, I'd say 'they' should jump ship.

[Gandalf]

Everyone has the "right" to quit their job! BUT many can't afford to & many really enjoy what they do! The point that you seem to miss is that certain people are being moved to "exempt" positions & "seasonal employees" are being given raises! These positions are non-union. It has a political ring to it. The union employees have the work rules in the form of a contract with the town. Both parties have agreed to the "rules" through negotiation. Moving an individual (esp. one with shady work practices) from the union to an exempt position & giving him a $15K raise reeks of political influence! He had to kiss alot of asses for that promotion!!

[Member 2358]

Everyone has the "right" to quit their job! BUT many can't afford to & many really enjoy what they do! The point that you seem to miss is that certain people are being moved to "exempt" positions & "seasonal employees" are being given raises! These positions are non-union. It has a political ring to it. The union employees have the work rules in the form of a contract with the town. Both parties have agreed to the "rules" through negotiation. Moving an individual (esp. one with shady work practices) from the union to an exempt position & giving him a $15K raise reeks of political influence! He had to kiss alot of asses for that promotion!!

OK. First, in one post it was said that there is no contract for like three years or something. Now, above here you say that there is a contract. I dunno what to make or that stuff.

Also, if - as you seem to suggest - non-union job attributes are more favorable than union, then the union folk (that feel that way) should be doin' what they need to get a non-union "better" job. If that means kissin' up to someone that can help them, so be it. If they don't wanna kiss up... and they don't like their current job, the quit for gosh sakes. That is if they think it is soooo unfair and out of line. I gots newz for ya, it's the same at some other places too.

[Smiley]

so the seasonals were making $10. 50 and hr.. their raise puts them just shy of $19.00 an hour. Put that into a percentage, what does that come out to? What does that tell you? Most employees anywhere are lucky to get a 3% raise.

[Smiley]

So what? Isn't it better to be employed with no contract? Why does anyone expect to have such a thing? Would 'they' rather be unemployed altogether?... 'cuz I imagine that if anyone is terribly distraught about the lack of a contract, they are 100% free to quit and go elsewhere. I suggest 'they' do that. If something is unfair/unreasonable/unwelcome, I'd say 'they' should jump ship.

So everyone in the Town should just QUIT? Then what would the residents do for the services they RELY on? Since all contracts are expired, even for the cops, your analogy would really help the residents. With your brilliant mind set, What else do you suggest or is that the be all, end all. The answer to all the issues!

[Member 2358]

So everyone in the Town should just QUIT? Then what would the residents do for the services they RELY on? Since all contracts are expired, even for the cops, your analogy would really help the residents. With your brilliant mind set, What else do you suggest or is that the be all, end all. The answer to all the issues!

Um, I didn't say "everyone in Town should just QUIT". My thought was that those that feel strongly about some unreasonableness/unfairness have quitting as an option.

I have no idea what residents would do. But, honestly, if an emplyee doesn't like their job characteristics, they should leave and go where they are happy. It isn't the employees job to ensure service continuity... it is managements. Those are the people that would have to determine how to provide ongoing service.

I'm unclear about what other suggestions you are seeking frrom me. Maybe you can clarify that?

Frankly, I think that these so-indicated disgruntled employees, know that they won't find anything better elsewhere. Contract or not, they continue to have a pretty good deal goin'. If they truely thought it sucked, they'd be gone.

[Member 2358]

so the seasonals were making $10. 50 and hr.. their raise puts them just shy of $19.00 an hour. Put that into a percentage, what does that come out to? What does that tell you? Most employees anywhere are lucky to get a 3% raise.

What does it tell me? Well, it tells me that the Town is likely to have a vast pool of candidates from which to choose. Which is always a good thing. It also tells me that the subject employees should be happy employees (at least about pay). Hapy employees generally provide better service.

[Gandalf]

What does it tell me? Well, it tells me that the Town is likely to have a vast pool of candidates from which to choose. Which is always a good thing. It also tells me that the subject employees should be happy employees (at least about pay). Hapy employees generally provide better service.

First of all, smartass, reference the term "seasonal employees". Seasonal employees are often teachers or students. I bet a teacher would be VERY happy to make $19 an hr. over the summer & have this added to their lucrative pensions!

By the way, the kiss-up who got the exempt position & 15K/yr. raise, had issues with viewing pornography on town computers while @work & also accepting gratuities from town vendors! Just make friends with Marlette!!

[Member 2358]

First of all, smartass, reference the term "seasonal employees". Seasonal employees are often teachers or students. I bet a teacher would be VERY happy to make $19 an hr. over the summer & have this added to their lucrative pensions!

...

Ooohhhhh, "smartass". heh I guess you got me good, eh?

You've kinda supported my point. $19 an hour for seasonal work is damn good. I'd expect lots of people to aply for those jobs. Which should prvide the employer with a real good pool of candidates from which to choose. So, that'd be very cool.

Again, though, if others feel slighted, there's nothing keeping them from getting what they feel they "deserve" or are "worth" elsewhere. Go for it. Just don't complain if you stay in an unreasonable or unfair situation.