CCMIN102103 - Laserfiche WebLink

entire industry. He believed employees should be paid fairly throughout an entire industry. Based on years of experience, Ms. McKeehan said that she preferred to avoid this argument at all costs. She has had employees relay to her through the bargaining process that they should be compared to the private sector because those employees receive more in wages and compensation. There have been retirement changes that are substantial. She has never argued the Consumer Price Index should be used because it goes up and down. She does not want contracts tied to it. Compensation should be based on the City's own ability or willingness to pay. Compensation for employees in the public sector tends to level over time, which explains the range of three to four percent over a period of 20 years. Mr. Bmzosky believed the entire compensation package was not taken into consideration, and pointed out that there were changes to retirement benefits last year. Ms. McKeehan noted that was tree; however, she cautioned Mr. Brozosky that there are times when it goes the other way. Based on years of experience, even the lucrative police and fire pension programs that were granted, which long-tcmi needs to be looked at and what it will mean for our state, were arrived at so that many employees could have retired when they were in their 30s' and 40s.' If the retirement system is kept level and it is sensible, the City will be able to find employees during both good and bad times. Mr. Bmzosky believed this to be risk versus reward. He mentioned he knew of people who are trying to keep their jobs and to keep them they are taking pay cuts. He believed it was hard to tell someone employed outside of the public sector who has lost their job or taken a 10 percent pay cut, that their tax money is being given to employees who are receiving five to 10 percent pay increases every year. To keep things in perspective, Ms. McKeehan pointed out the five percent salary increase is for 60 employees only. Mr. Brozosky noted that he is looking at the overall picture, and unfortunately, the decision made for the remainder of City employees happened before he was on Council. For public sector employees to benefit from the retirement package, Ms. McKeehan noted that they must remain in the job for 30 to 35 years. There are not many employees who are willing to commit to that length of time. Police and fire employees see this as a career and tend to be employed longer, while other employees do not have this type of tenure. She also pointed out that the public nature of the position is very different and risky, and believed it was hard to make comparisons back and forth because of the difference in the type of environment. She said she was not suggesting the retirement benefits were an insignificant cost, but asked Council to take this matter in context of the entire pay system that applies to employees. Pleasant City Council 19 10/21/03 Minutes