FACT:
- Most City-Parish workers have not had a pay increase in 4 to 5 years.
- There are almost 200 full-time City-Parish workers who earn less than $10 per hour.
- The City-Parish pays its employees significantly less than workers doing similar jobs in 23 cities that are comparable to Baton Rouge. Starting pay for electricians employed by Baton Rouge is $30,754. Electricians in the cities surveyed make an average of 25 percent more.
- Health insurance premiums have increased 30 percent in the last three years.
- Health insurance deductibles have dramatically increased as well, reaching $500 for an individual.
DPW worker and SEIU Local 21 LA board member, Leon Goudeau, speaks at the Dec. 13, 2011 Metro Council Budget Meeting.
The Metro Council is beginning to address the problem of severely underpaid Baton Rouge city workers.
In a budget meeting on Dec. 13, 2011, the Metro Council granted about 70 workers in the Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control District and the Constable Department pay increases. Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control District has a strong reserve fund of more than $8 million, which is more than its entire operating budget of $4.9 million. The department has had consistent yearly budget surpluses for years. These dedicated workers have done their due diligence to save their departments money. Why not reward them for their hard work? The amount to fund these much-needed pay increases doesn’t even equal 1 percent of the total budget.
Police officers and firefighters received raises in 2008 and 2009 when no other City-Parish employees received pay increases.
City-Parish employees do receive annual merit increases of 3 percent of their pay meaning an employee earning $12.69 per hour will receive a 38-cent per hour increase. But merit increases occur only until year 12. The average city employee’s tenure is 15 years. As a result, only 2 out of 3 employees receive a merit increase. One out of 3 receive a 1 percent per year longevity increase. Between 2006 and 2010, the inflation rate has been an average of 2.67 percent each year, for a total increase of 13.35 percent in the cost of living.
And don’t forget that the health insurance premiums have increased by 30 percent over the last three years.
FACT:
- Total cost of raises for MARC: $79,240.
- Employees in the Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control District Control earn $13.13 per hour. After you factor in the cost of health insurance, employees with families bring in $498 every two weeks.
MORE FACTS:
- The Director of the Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control District retired at grade 2320 step 12 at $95,000 is currently being paid a salary on top of his retirement.
- The Mosquito Abatement and Rodent Control District requested raises for one position, which was the Director who makes an average of $75,000-80,000 annually.
- In investment interest earnings alone, the Department received an additional $77,380.
- In 2010, the Department spent $142,180 on contracted employees, there are only 4.
- In 2010, the Department spent $41,800 on Travel, Magazines, and Advertisements, half the cost of raises.
FACT:
- Total cost of raises for City Constables: $135,000.
- Baton Rouge Constables have not had a pay increase in 10 years.
City Constables do not just work in the courthouse. City Constables are called in the event of fatal traffic accidents, home invasions, drug busts, and armed robberies. When the Police Department does not have the staffing, City Constables are called in first to perform the same duties, during emergencies and holidays. City Constables were responsible for serving more than 10,000 warrants last year.
FOLLOW THE MONEY:
- From 2005-2011, Mayor Kip Holden’s budget has doubled from $2.3 million to $4.3 million.
- 2011 budget expenditures include:
- $90,000 to a production company to film ribbon cutting and ground breaking ceremonies
- $3 million to a Baton Rouge Water Company to include sewer user fee on bill. Baker and Zachary are each paid $75,000 for the same service
- $10,000 to Jewish Federation of GBR, film festival
- $4,500 per month to Eugene Ji for “liaison for economic & cultural affairs with the Peoples Republic of China. Total paid: $70,000.
Many City-Parish employees work second and third jobs. More money for City-Parish workers means more money for the Baton Rouge economy. These workers live in the Baton Rouge area and will spend their money at home, meaning the money will go right back into the local economy.
