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Today's Poll!Study: State workers earn 23.9 percent less
Friday, March 4, 2011
Missouri’s state workers earn 23.9 percent less than their private-sector counterparts, despite being more educated.
That’s according to a new study from the Economic Policy Institute (EPI), a nonprofit and nonpartisan Washington think tank.
The study found that municipal public employees also are undercompensated, but to a lesser degree: 10.2 percent. Together, state and local public employees earn 15.7 percent less than equivalent private employees.
The study, “Are Missouri Public Employees Overcompensated?,” was done by Jeffrey Keefe, associate professor of Labor and Employment Relations at Rutgers University.
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Comments
JCsleeper 2 years, 2 months ago
Well, surprise. Who would have thought?
JCLifer 2 years, 2 months ago
All the high-paid managers added at the top levels have made the numbers look much better than they actually are.
It doesn't sound like education is valued. Even a lawyer can run any state department.
4blogtalk 2 years, 2 months ago
What was missing from this survey is the application of local costs of living to the findings. Back in the early 80s jefferson city's cost of living was between 89 - 90% with 100% being the national average, but the cost of living has risen some. Jc used to have a lower cost of living than all the state capitols from the states bordering us, that is not true with some of our neighbors now. Also, granted I don't know the percentage of state employees who work in KC or Stl where the cost of living is higher. My point is, there are other factors which reflect the total compensation fairness or lack thereof in Mo. State employee compensation. Real Estate Cos. websites and others have cost of living comparison software to help you determine the replacement wage needed to equal your current wage when you are considering relocation. I finished writing this, then took another look at the paper and saw the other article where Sen. Kehoe makes the same point, just to clarify I am not the Senator.
TraceyT 2 years, 2 months ago
The need to compare cost of living is a valid point, assuming that this study was nationwide. Since this statistic is specific to Missouri and done at a statewide level, COL is irrelevant unless you are comparing private sector wages in KC to state worker wages in JC. No matter what the scenario, the 90% national number is totally irrelevant to the cited study.
JCLifer 2 years, 2 months ago
Don't forget the higher cost of commuting for Missouri state workers to live in a decent town with some amenities. Columbia is at least 30 miles away for most young professionals.
rmsberengaria 2 years, 2 months ago
Yup, he is wokring the play book of Cloward-Piven toward socialism!
rodinman 2 years, 2 months ago
carpool.
pegassuss2525 2 years, 2 months ago
Love to. Going to Eldon from 7-4:30 Mon. thru fri with possibility of staying late at the drop of a hat? Not really feasible. Like I said, not everyone has two vehicles and the ability to live 10 minutes from work.
rodinman 2 years, 2 months ago
Don't live 30 miles from your job and then complain about the cost of the drive. They made a decision and not must live the results of that decision.
pegassuss2525 2 years, 2 months ago
Some of us don't have a choice.
GodNGuns 2 years, 2 months ago
The cost of living keeps going up ! When was the last time state employees got a pay raise ? They are 50 th in pay in my country, 56 th in OBAMA'S world .
rmsberengaria 2 years, 2 months ago
Regardless of your political affiliation the editors or writer of this article should of also included information from the American Enterprise Institute a conservative think tank along with information gleaned from the Economic Policy Institute a Liberal/Progressive think tank.
I did a little research of the Economic Policy Institute for all to see and make your own decision if all its information is Un-Biased. Members and affiliations on the EPI board: Robert Reich - Clinton Administration co-founder progressive/liberal magazine "The American Prospect" Rep. Linda Sanchez (DEM) Andrew Stern (SEIU) Union Richard Trumka (AFL-CIO) Union Randi Weingarten (AFT) Union Barry Bluestone - Worked for Rep. Richard Gephardt (DEM) R. Thomas Buffenbarger (IAMAW) Int. Assoc. of Machinists and Allied Workers (UNION) Anna Burger (SEIU) Union Larry Cohen (CWA) Union Leo W. Gerard (USWA) Union Ron Gettelfinger (UAW) Union Alexis Herman - Clinton Administration Robert Kuttner - Co-founder along w/Robert Reich of the "American Prospect", magazine (Liberal/Progressive) Julianne Malveaux - Outspoken Liberal Activist Ray Marshall - Worked for the Carter & Clinton Administration Geral W. McEntee - President of (AFSCME) Union government workers Bruce S. Raynor - (SEIU) current President and President "Workers United" Socialist group
rmsberengaria 2 years, 2 months ago
www bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ecec.pdf This is from the Bureau of Labor Statistics not a group. Of course it is a look in aggregate for all the states. compared to the private sector. But, when the federal and state governments are broke it is reality left wing progressive/socialist ignore! Raising tax's on the 2% of the wealthiest achievers only nets 700 billion over 10 years and that is a big if! Most of that 2% will just make sure they fall under the threshold of that 39.6% top tax rate. Taxing people more never brings in the revenue projected. The only fair thing is that current State employees should pay a portion of their retirement and Health Care cost at or near the same percentage as the private sector does. And, as some on here complain that Missouri is last in pay, I have repeated over and over that if the State re-organized and got rid of the middle and upper management bloat, and mini boss's over boss's pulling in 58-78K a year they could afford to give rank and file hard working state employee's a raise. But, I give up typing this over and over again Dems and Repubs are in love with their bureaucracy and somehow are convinced that government is the answer to all ills! "Government does not generate one cent of real revenue unless it gets it from the private sector" who produce it!
TraceyT 2 years, 2 months ago
hkchas and I are interested in your statistics. Since you are already familiar with these organizations, could you provide us with some links to the relevant information rms?
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