Well, oh well another employee retires from state service. Its a trend in the Commonweath of Pa where I work. It something that saves Gov Rendell money since folks who are leaving are replaced by a smaller number of new employees who earn less and have less vacation time. Also they pay a much bigger chunk of their paycheck for health benefits thanks to that 2003 contract. Thanks to a better economy, a Tentative Agreementwas reached for the 2007 contract that effective July 1st 2007. It was after the union stated that: "Last year, PA ranked dead last in the number of state employees per population – we currently rank 47th and in the bottom ¼ in pay."
This proposed contact is better then the 2003 contract in that we do get pay raises!! The negative is that more money will be have to be paid for health care. It will be based on a percentage of pay.
I am sure that there will be a YES vote for this contact. Considering the climate and this governor its not a bad deal. Of course in New Jersey where I live now a 4.5% pay raise each year is the norm EVEN now while real estate taxes go up and up. I read that the teachers saved money by NOT hiring a professional negotator and they got 5% raises each year. Is this not the same school district that had a hiring freeze and laid off some teacher. Oh, and the SAME school district that does not have money for field trips? Please someone fill me in on this stuff
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