A Step in the Right Direction

A Step in the Right Direction

A funny thing happens when public service employees join together. Things begin to change. While we prepare to sit down with the county in face-to-face Meet and Confer sessions, management has taken a couple of steps toward addressing two key elements in our proposals for quality jobs and services.

As you know, in April 2007, Pima County recognized SEIU as the authorized representative of Pima County employees. You also know that last July, the county agreed to a 5.1% across-the- board wage increase for full-time employees. That was a good first step, but employees knew we’re still not paid the ‘market wage.’

As we have in other chapters, SEIU recommended a market survey study to see how Pima County wages compared to those of other cities and counties. While the study was underway, SEIU members did their own comparison and discovered another problem: Wage compression.

Dollar Bills

That’s when new hires make as much or more as long-time employees because minimum salaries meet or exceed existing pay grades.

Utility maintenance worker, Larry Florez, one of many long-time county employees who is still in the lower end of his pay grade, defines the problem: “It’s great they’re raising the minimum salaries, but the guys that have been here for awhile didn’t get anything. The new guys are catching up quick.”

As expected, the Hay Market Compensation Study found that Pima County workers are paid below the market rate. In a partial remedy, some employees have now received a salary range upgrade to bring their wages a little closer to those working comparable jobs elsewhere. And, in a long overdue first step, the county is now recognizing the need to deal with the issue of wage compression.

Did You Get a Raise?
So, we’ve got some good news, some bad news and some great news. The good news is some Pima County employees have received a wage increase as a result of the Hay findings. And some employees are now receiving a “compression adjustment” in their paychecks. No notice was given of the adjustment so you’ll have to check your pay stub to see if you’re a winner.

The bad news is many Pima County employees received nothing. Even worse, Pima County, like other Arizona cities and counties (and the state), is suffering a budget crunch leading to uncertainty and concern among county employees.

But the great news is that, unlike in the past, Pima County employees are organized. That means we’ll be sitting down with the county to create a mutually acceptable agreement that recognizes the value of county employees in a competitive market and the importance of an experienced workforce in maintaining quality public services during difficult economic times. Because when times are tough, working together works.

So, did you get a raise? If you did, good; every little bit helps. If you didn’t, let your union rep know because your experience is a powerful argument in support of our Meet and Confer proposals.