[quote=sdrealtor]As for the base salaries that is exactly my point. They dont make base salaries they make gross earnings with exorbitant benefits that similar folks in the private sector dont enjoy.
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I am self-employed, as I imagine you are as well. I’m not privvy to what is made working for corporations in the private sector, other than hearsay, but I imagine some of this is basic:
Annual Paid Holidays
Days Annual Paid Vacation/Sick Leave
Health/Dental Insurance
The life insurance, I think, would be a given considering they are risking their life.
So what we’re coming back to is the retirement/pension.
You say you did not make that much during the bubble years. Perhaps that’s just you. I know a few realtors that did extremely well. I know some mortgage guys that did very well.
Also the idea that everyone wants to be a fireman and there’s a waiting list, may it is b/c there is a pension.
Take away that security and see how many people would sign up and stay even through bubble years.
I’m not sure how much it costs to train firemen from day one to when they’re out there, but for police it’s anywhere from 60-100k. That would be a lot of wasted money if people keep jumping ship every few years and the City would have to start over and retrain. It would get costly, not to mention not have the seasoned person knowing what they’re doing out there.
