Lancaster elections are over, now what

[gorja]

It would be even less if they had their deductions before tax that way there are no income taxes taken out on the portion of health care benefits they are paying for

Yeah, that's right.

[Lee Chowaniec]

No for larger and yes to contribute to insurance. Will the employees agree to receiving a smaller paycheck? If their salary was $41,000 and they were to receive a 2% increase that's an increase of $820. If the insurance is $20,000 and they are to pay 10% that's $2,000. That would be about $98.33 less per month in their paycheck.

All town unions were offered a 1.5% wage increase for 2012 and a 2% wage increase for 2013 if they agreed to contribute 8% to their health care plan. Only then would they begin contributing to the health care premium – not retroactively.

By accepting those increases no town employee would receive a smaller paycheck – not even that clerk/typist position you mentioned which is the lowest full time salaried position in town. And the contribution amount requested was 8%, not 10%.

Seems fair to me considering I am a senior who will receive no increase in Social Security this year, have seen my supplemental insurance premium raised and have larger co-pays and significantly higher deductibles. But I guess it’s okay to keep dipping in my pocket so they can take contributing anything to their health plan off the table.

Not contributing anything to their health care premium is unconscionable in the public sector today when individuals in the private sector are paying outlandish coverage for premiums that are nowhere as generous as the town’s. And, the town can no longer sustain paying for such largess.

[gorja]

All town unions were offered a 1.5% wage increase for 2012 and a 2% wage increase for 2013 if they agreed to contribute 8% to their health care plan. Only then would they begin contributing to the health care premium – not retroactively.

By accepting those increases no town employee would receive a smaller paycheck – not even that clerk/typist position you mentioned which is the lowest full time salaried position in town. And the contribution amount requested was 8%, not 10%.

Seems fair to me considering I am a senior who will receive no increase in Social Security this year, have seen my supplemental insurance premium raised and have larger co-pays and significantly higher deductibles. But I guess it’s okay to keep dipping in my pocket so they can take contributing anything to their health plan off the table.

Not contributing anything to their health care premium is unconscionable in the public sector today when individuals in the private sector are paying outlandish coverage for premiums that are nowhere as generous as the town’s. And, the town can no longer sustain paying for such largess.

What is the actual healthcare premium cost $15k, $17k, $20k? That offer does seem fair 1.5% raise first year, 2% raise second year and the 8% contribution starting in the 2nd year. Where did the 5.08% increase come from?

[BorderBob]

What is the actual healthcare premium cost $15k, $17k, $20k? That offer does seem fair 1.5% raise first year, 2% raise second year and the 8% contribution starting in the 2nd year. Where did the 5.08% increase come from?

So we are talking a 1.5% pay increase in the first year and a 6% pay CUT in the second? It's like the GOP out shouting each other on what cabinet agencies they would close. Forgetting that in doing so, tens of thousands will be put out of work.




b.b.

[gorja]

One's on salary of $41,000 or more. The other is on $20,000 or less

That $41,000 employee's salary will increase by $1,447. before contributing the 8% of whatever the healthcare costs are. As another poster stated, the contribution would be taken out of the salary prior to the salary being taxed.

[Lee Chowaniec]

What is the actual healthcare premium cost $15k, $17k, $20k? That offer does seem fair 1.5% raise first year, 2% raise second year and the 8% contribution starting in the 2nd year. Where did the 5.08% increase come from?

A year ago I asked that at the public hearing on the budget and was told $19,300 for a family plan and $12,000 for an individual plan.

The 5.08 increase is going to the non bargaining employees who will start contributing 10% of their health care premium.

[gorja]

Originally posted by Lee Chowaniec:
The 5.08 increase is going to the non bargaining employees who will start contributing 10% of their health care premium.

Did those same employees contribute 8% towards their healthcare last year without a wage increase?

[Lee Chowaniec]

One's on salary of $41,000 or more. The other is on $20,000 or less

That $41,000 employee's salary will increase by $1,447. before contributing the 8% of whatever the healthcare costs are. As another poster stated, the contribution would be taken out of the salary prior to the salary being taxed.

You chose the position that pays the least in town to make a point. The difference is about $100. Punch in some other higher paying positions and you will find there is a net gain to the employee. For whatever reasons the other three unions wait for the police contract settling before they bargain.

But it is the police contract that is drawing the most discussion. Go ahead and punch in those same numbers for a patrol officer making $68,000 per year – and here the low man on the totem pole concerning salaries. The offer was more than generous and this individual will come out with a net gain near $800. More importantly, it gets town employees to contribute to their health care. The taxpayers should not be forced to continue paying for such an unsustainable program.

[Lee Chowaniec]

So we are talking a 1.5% pay increase in the first year and a 6% pay CUT in the second? It's like the GOP out shouting each other on what cabinet agencies they would close. Forgetting that in doing so, tens of thousands will be put out of work.

b.b.

Please explain the math - 1.5% + 2% = -6%

There are no police job cuts in this budget and the town board is under the control of the DEMS. They as well have a voice in the negotiation process

[gorja]

I noticed for those employees affected in the town clerk's office with Fudoli's 5.08% wage increase that the Dept head, Mrs Coleman had only requested a 3% increase for those two employees.

[gorja]

You chose the position that pays the least in town to make a point. The difference is about $100. Punch in some other higher paying positions and you will find there is a net gain to the employee. For whatever reasons the other three unions wait for the police contract settling before they bargain.

But it is the police contract that is drawing the most discussion. Go ahead and punch in those same numbers for a patrol officer making $68,000 per year – and here the low man on the totem pole concerning salaries. The offer was more than generous and this individual will come out with a net gain near $800. More importantly, it gets town employees to contribute to their health care. The taxpayers should not be forced to continue paying for such an unsustainable program.

My response was to BorderBob and his -6% pay cut. He seemed to be using the 2% raise and the 8% contribution as percentages of like figures when the 2% was of the salary figure and the 8% was of the lower healthcare premium figure.

Edit - as in 2% + -8% = -6%

I wasn't arguing against your point, Lee.

[4248]

This is exactly why we need more transparency in Town Hall !

We taxpayers are told - "We cant talk about negotiations" - "We don't want that information made public"
- WHY ?

There's no law against telling residents what each side is asking for or at what stage in negotiations they are in ! This has been brought up many, many times and always is ignored.

We get rumors and contorted views, but never factual relevant information ! WHY ?

All the tax payers can do is guess and read political versions of what transpired - weeks or maybe months afterward ! Its not fair to tax payers or employees.

Recently it appears even Union Members are mislead or misinformed by their own people.

Simple example is BB's post: "So we are talking a 1.5% pay increase in the first year and a 6% pay CUT in the second?" - which is factually incorrect and misleading - if that's the way it was presented to members/employee - no wonder they turned it down !

Then for some fluff and to add bias he adds , "It's like the GOP out shouting each other on what cabinet agencies they would close". Then the unfounded threat, "Forgetting that in doing so, tens of thousands will be put out of work." b.b.

Now, this is what employees are being told - while tax payers are being told,
"WE cant tell you - but the other guys aren't being fair"

[4248]

Some residents are wondering if the Supervisor elect Johanna Coleman Metz will try to build a Board of Ethics ? Will she do what her follow Lan Dems have never allowed - will she have a Board of Ethics made up of volunteer resident taxpayers ? Not Party Players - not Party Chosen Cronies - plain old volunteer tax paying residents ?

Will the new Town Clerk Mrs. Terranova assert her legal authority and do what Johanna Coleman Metz has not done ? Will she have all elected and appointed officials as stated in the law - fill out complete financial disclosure forms ? Will she insure they are completed verified and available for public viewing ? Or will she continue the practice of ignoring that law ?

These are just two simple steps the new admin can do to show tax payers they are for open Government. They campaigned on inclusive and open Government - will they keep their promises ?

When will Supervisor Elect Johanna Coleman Metz announce her retirement/resignation as Town Clerk ? She must file her paper work with NYS prior to taking office as Supervisor ! She doesn't have to file, she could forego "Double Dipping" - but only time will tell !