primitives' job security fading

[franksolich]

http://upload.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8690129

Oh my.

Liberal_in_LA  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-04-10 04:36 PM
Original message
 
State and local gov't workers' job security fades

For years, most people who worked for state or local governments accepted a fact of life: Their pay wasn't great. The job security was.

Now that's gone, too.

States and municipalities are facing gaping budget gaps. Many have responded by slashing services, raising taxes and, for the first time in decades, making deep job cuts.

And public employees should brace themselves: Some economists say the job cuts could worsen in the second half of the year.

------------------------

One of them is Daryl Seaman, who was so confident in his job security just a year ago that he built a new home for his family. As a probation officer for Madison County, Ill., he didn't think his job would ever be in jeopardy.

Twelve months later, Seaman has been demoted because of county budget cuts. He finds himself obsessing with co-workers over the next round of layoffs that could claim their jobs.

"Everybody is panicking," Seaman says.

Seaman's wife teaches in a district that has laid off some teachers with less seniority. With two teenage daughters to support, they're saving everything they can.

"We're just afraid to spend any money," Seaman says.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j1071...

Welcome to the real world.

proud2BlibKansan  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-04-10 04:38 PM
#19 TOP PRIMITIVE OF 2009; THE DYSMENOPAUSAL KANSAS SCHOOL TEACHER
Response to Original message

1. DH and I both work for a school district

These are tough times indeed. But we are grateful to have jobs. Many of our friends don't.

tularetom  (1000+ posts)        Sun Jul-04-10 04:55 PM
THE LAKE-FRONT REAL-ESTATE MAGNATE PRIMITIVE
Response to Original message

2. Somewhere along the line, parity with private sector salaries became a priority and when that happened, the job security, good bennies and all the other plusses of public employment began to go down the shitter.

In our area, salaries of public employees exceed their counterparts in the private sector. People are pissed when they learn this.

As a retired public employee, I'm not happy with this situation. But I saw it coming at least 20 years ago, when police unions began holding the elected officials hostage with scare tactics.

Now the chickens are coming home to roost. I wish it weren't so but I'm not surprised.

Liberal_in_LA  (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-04-10 05:15 PM
Response to Reply #2
 
3. Our police union did the same about 10 years ago..threatened to put up billboard near airport saying Los angeles was crime filled

True_Blue (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-04-10 06:39 PM
Response to Original message
 
4. 152,000 Gov Employees Face Layoffs

"State and local governments are expected to make job cuts that will affect 152,000 government employees. This is on top of the 95,000 state and local government workers who were victims of job cuts since January.

The Associated Press reports that Nigel Gault, an economist at IHS Global Insight, sees the cuts taking place during the second half of the year.

Because of serious budget deficits, state and local governments may have to lay off a number of their employees, adding an issue to the growing number of unemployed Americans and the absence of legislation that addresses unemployment extension benefits."

http://all247news.com/152000-government-employees-face-... /

Again, welcome to the real world.

[Ballygrl]

A lot of anti-union sentiment being expressed, so if the progressives feel like that? you can imagine how the majority of the Country feels.

[NHSparky]

Their pay wasn't great?  AYFKM?  Some of the wealthiest counties in America are those immediately surrounding Washington DC.  I've seen policemen retire making OVER $100K a year in pension--there's one guy in Vernon, CA, whose annual retirement pay is (are you ready for this):

$499,674.

PER YEAR.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/pensions-190844-pension-city.html

Of the 351 Orange County retirees who make $100,000 or more, nearly two thirds were public safety workers.

And people wonder why the we're going broke.

[zeitgeist]

Their pay wasn't great?  AYFKM?  Some of the wealthiest counties in America are those immediately surrounding Washington DC.  I've seen policemen retire making OVER $100K a year in pension--there's one guy in Vernon, CA, whose annual retirement pay is (are you ready for this):

$499,674.

PER YEAR.

http://www.ocregister.com/articles/pensions-190844-pension-city.html

And people wonder why the we're going broke.

Yep lots of good jobs out there.

MYFOX NATIONAL) – If you want to pursue a career as a bus driver, Madison, Wis. may be the place to start applying for that job.

The Wisconsin State Journal reported that John E. Nelson, a bus driver for the city's transportation system Metro, earned $159,258 last year. Of the $159,258, $109,892 was due to overtime and other pay.
Nelson earned more than the mayor and even his boss.

Nelson is one of seven bus drivers that earned over $100,000 in 2009 reports The Journal . The drivers have their union contract to thank.

Their union contract allows the highest based salary senior drivers the opportunity of choosing to have overtime first. Nelson utilized this rule to his advantage
http://saritabarthel.newsvine.com/_news/2010/02/11/3884152-bus-driver-john-e-nelson-earns-over-159k

[Tucker]

One of them is Daryl Seaman, who was so confident in his job security just a year ago that he built a new home for his family. As a probation officer for Madison County, Ill., he didn't think his job would ever be in jeopardy.

Twelve months later, Seaman has been demoted because of county budget cuts. He finds himself obsessing with co-workers over the next round of layoffs that could claim their jobs.

"Everybody is panicking," Seaman says.

Seaman's wife teaches in a district that has laid off some teachers with less seniority. With two teenage daughters to support, they're saving everything they can.

"We're just afraid to spend any money," Seaman says.

http://www.google.com/hos...ws/ap/article/ALeqM5j1071...

Social worker and teacher. 1st and 2nd career choice for moonbats.

No love lost.

I love what Christie is doing on NJ. He has all the public workers in an uproar.  

[Ballygrl]

Social worker and teacher. 1st and 2nd career choice for moonbats.

No love lost.

I love what Christie is doing on NJ. He has all the public workers in an uproar.  

And the taxpayers are loving him for it!

[PatriotGame]

True_Blue (1000+ posts)      Sun Jul-04-10 06:39 PM
Response to Original message
 
4. 152,000 Gov Employees Face Layoffs

"State and local governments are expected to make job cuts that will affect 152,000 government employees. This is on top of the 95,000 state and local government workers who were victims of job cuts since January.

The Associated Press reports that Nigel Gault, an economist at IHS Global Insight, sees the cuts taking place during the second half of the year.

Because of serious budget deficits, state and local governments may have to lay off a number of their employees, adding an issue to the growing number of unemployed Americans and the absence of legislation that addresses unemployment extension benefits."

http://all247news.com/152...overnment-employees-face-... /

O BA MA, O BA MA, O BA MA

MMM...MMM...MMM...

Suck it DUmmys!

[zeitgeist]

Jobs Jobs Jobs. Some have um and some don't.

More primitive schizophrenia here >

phantom power  (1000+ posts)        Fri Jul-09-10 03:16 PM
Original message
So What If They Make $100,000?
 Indeed.


One tremendous problem we have in this country is that too many who run in whitecollarish circles get absolutely enraged at the idea that some people working in blue collar or service industry jobs might actually be making a few bucks. It doesn't matter how hard those jobs are, that the jobs might actually require a high level of skills, or how many years people have been in those jobs, they're somehow seen as lesser jobs.

I'm reminded of when my local transit authority went on strike, and people were absolutely livid that some lowly bus drivers earned $50K per year. My response, of course, was to suggest that if you think earning $50K per a year in a job with limited career advancement opportunities, driving a ******* bus down narrow Philadelphia streets 40 hours a week sounds like an excellent job opportunity, then go become a bus driver.

http://www.eschatonblog.com/2010/07/so-what-if-they-mak...
 

Gore1FL  (1000+ posts)        Sat Jul-10-10 02:52 AM
Response to Original message
34. You know what?
 I have a graduate degree. I work in IT for a University. If I was in the private sector I would be making twice what I make. So if someone driving a bus makes $50 grand a year, he is doing better than I am , while I am building the future.

So guess what. I apparently fall into the "bad guy" category on this.

A guy driving a bus doesn't deserve to make what a Windows deployment expert makes.

Sorry. I work longer. I work harder. I have way more experience. I have a significantly better skill set. So sorry. If a bus driver makes more that I do, it is a ****ing travesty. If becoming a bus driver was a real option for advancement then I'd jump on it.

But realistically, I can do better for more people doing what I do.

So spare me the indignation.
 

Pwned

Cleobulus (1000+ posts)      Sat Jul-10-10 09:16 AM
Response to Reply #34
57. "Windows deployment expert", so you install Windows on computers?
 Since when did that require a college degree? I've been installing Windows on computers I built from scratch since I was about 14, and I started with Windows 3.1. Oddly enough, its gotten simpler over time.

Nowadays, I can deploy it to a lot of computers at once, rather than one, but the concept is the same, and frankly its not rocket science.

This is actually quite a bonfire in its own right but also fit this thread.  Row over to take a look.  It might make a good thread on its own but I just don't have time and hate to lose it in the flotsam and jetsam. Make sure to wash up before coming back in the house.

[PatriotGame]

A lot of anti-union sentiment being expressed, so if the progressives feel like that? you can imagine how the majority of the Country feels.

Yup!

S-E-I-U who ya gonna sue?

S-E-I-U who ya gonna sue?

S-E-I-U who ya gonna sue?

Why, yourselves of course...snarkle...

[jukin]

For years, most people who worked for state or local governments accepted a fact of life: Their pay wasn't great. The job security was.

A lie that has been perpetuated by the public sector employees and their union tug bosses. Public sector employees make in 12 months what the same private sector employee makes in 13.2. That does not account for the benefits, vacation, and retirement pensions.

Sorry Dumbass, your post is total and complete bullshit.