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Today's Poll!State salaries committee moving forward
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
The Missouri Legislature’s Joint Interim Committee on State Employee Wages is learning more about what consultants can offer, so the state can get some help improving state workers’ total compensation.
In two meetings this month, committee members have heard presentations from four consulting groups on how they might approach a study of state employee salaries and benefits — and the possible complications such a study would face. But, state Rep. Mike Bernskoetter, R-Jefferson City, said Tuesday, a decision to hire a consultant — or to do something else — still must be made.
Several of the consultants talked about how they would look at what Missouri government already is doing, and see if there are ways to consolidate the present pay plan by consolidating the more than 1,000 job titles Missouri now has, or reducing the pay levels on the current pay grids.
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Comments
JCLifer 6 months, 1 week ago
Why not use the consultant money to improve the pay?
spelchek 6 months, 1 week ago
"The money will be used to partially fund a study on how to spend the money." -- Simpsons
JCLifer 6 months, 1 week ago
"...or reducing the pay levels on the current pay grids?
I guess that is one way to help boost morale and loyalty.
tonto_goldberg 6 months, 1 week ago
See - it's like this: If you lower the whole grid then the employees look like they are farther along on the scale. So they are paid at 50% of the scale instead of 35%, and 50% is a lot better than 35%. I'm really sorry I brought this up. They might actually do it.
JCsleeper 6 months, 1 week ago
Likely they will use the hot-dog money to help pay the consultants. The consultants can then recommend reducing the pay levels on the current pay grid and keep some of that money. Sounds like a plan.
gofish 6 months, 1 week ago
Bernskoetter and Kehoe are just wasting time. Consultant fees don't buy groceries. You fix the problem by giving state employees more grocery money....or by allowing them to be eligible for food stamps. Oh wait...many already are. People's budgets are bleeding red ink now. Surely you don't need a consultant to tell you that. While they wait to create "the perfect pay plan", the perfect financial storm is ruining lives and credit histories. An across the board raise is needed NOW. It's like refusing to give a cancer patient chemotherapy while waiting for the disease to be cured.
JCLifer 6 months, 1 week ago
Where is the outrage from the JC Chamber of Commerce, City Hall, and other so-callled "leaders"? The lowest #50 wages of the region's largest employer set the pay and the quality of life for the entire region. Are there people out there who enjoy that our region is nearing 3rd world status? I cannot understand people who are so misguided that they would support government policies that would hold down the success of the area's business and economic activity, as well as reduce opportuniteis for growth and self-sufficiencly for individuals and their families, including their own families and children. What is wrong with these people? Are they happy with the majority of benefits of state government going to St. Louis and Kansas City suburbs, as well as Southwest Missouri and St. Joeseph while we live in a depressed area? One might think that being the capital city might be a good thing- but not here. In our state it just means everyone is poorer than every other town that is the same or bigger population.
rodinman 6 months, 1 week ago
I believe the reason there is no outrage from the JC Chamber of Commerce is if the pay went up for state employees then they would have to pay their own employees more money. The more money they pay their employees the less they have to spend on vacations, lake properties, ...
JCLifer 6 months, 1 week ago
They could easily pay their own employees more because everyone would have more disposable income, and the sales of these employers' goods and services would rise, giving the employers more income.
Don't they understand that "a rising tide lifts all ships"???
Cutting off their nose to spite their face isn't too smart.
Who really wants to live in a bottom-feeder area?
Paroquet 6 months, 1 week ago
Our state employees are the lowest paid in the nation, in the third most populous state west of the Mississippi, and raises don't even meet the rate of inflation.
And on this, I am not joking--The state of Mississippi gave their workers a $1.00 raise so they wouldn't be at the bottom of the list.
Oh, and we let utility companies try and justify rate-hikes on the basis that consumers are being too efficient.
Rather than paying consultants to tell us something we already know, the state legislators should drop a dime and buy a clue.
GrumpyGus 6 months, 1 week ago
Cut waste, reduce the number employees except for public safety, and use the savings for increases. Not rocket science. And DO NOT hire a big consultant to do a salary study. They will tell you what you already know, and propose a solution you can't afford.
tryingtomakeit 6 months, 1 week ago
Okay we get it. Wait for it "longer", "longer, "longer", "longer", "longer", more "strategic planning". Thank you for the value that you place on our work.
him 6 months, 1 week ago
Wasting money on a consultant and study on something they aren't willing or able to do something about. The whole thing is just smoke to make it appear they care and are trying give raises. Making cuts isn't the answer. Just like the raise we got in July. I would have gladly given up my $25 a month to save someone from being laid off. I found it funny how the only Governor to not give state raises proposes one during and election year after he cut hundreds of jobs. Also the only Governor to take away the day off after Thanksgiving gives it back on an election year.
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