OT: Public pay & benefits

[Anonymous]

The majority of firefighters in the US are volunteer firefighters. Thes firefighter’s perform just as effectively, and at a fraction of the cost as the unionized “professional” firefighters do.

As tough and dangerous as the job is purported to be there seems to be no shortage of people willing to assume the job on a volunteer basis. Municipalities can massively reduce the number of professional firefighter’s on their staff’s if they are serious about reducing their budget’s.

As for benefits it’s not a question of what they should be paid, but rather a question of what can be realistically afforded based on the money available. Most public employee pensions simply cannot be afforded and should be massively scaled back or eliminated.

The Turtle

[SD Transplant]

Let the good times roll:

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2010/10/20-government-workers-with-super-sized-pay.html

“12. Escondido City Manager Clay Phillips is not the best paid city manager, though his base salary of $225,000 is nothing to sneeze at. But his contract is typical, and offers benefits most workers could only dream of, inflating the city’s cost of his employment to $326,000. According to the San Diego Union Tribune, he receives than 14 weeks of paid time off every year, along with a $9,000 auto allowance, a $1,000 computer stipend, a full $15,000 contribution to his 401 (k), and a life insurance policy. As another perk, he’s allowed to bring his spouse on up to three conference trips every year, all expenses paid. His contract also has a clause that is somewhat like the “franchise player” status in the NFL. His salary can never drop below the third-highest city manager in San Diego County.”

[SD Transplant]

Let the good times roll:

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2010/10/20-government-workers-with-super-sized-pay.html

“12. Escondido City Manager Clay Phillips is not the best paid city manager, though his base salary of $225,000 is nothing to sneeze at. But his contract is typical, and offers benefits most workers could only dream of, inflating the city’s cost of his employment to $326,000. According to the San Diego Union Tribune, he receives than 14 weeks of paid time off every year, along with a $9,000 auto allowance, a $1,000 computer stipend, a full $15,000 contribution to his 401 (k), and a life insurance policy. As another perk, he’s allowed to bring his spouse on up to three conference trips every year, all expenses paid. His contract also has a clause that is somewhat like the “franchise player” status in the NFL. His salary can never drop below the third-highest city manager in San Diego County.”

[SD Transplant]

Let the good times roll:

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2010/10/20-government-workers-with-super-sized-pay.html

“12. Escondido City Manager Clay Phillips is not the best paid city manager, though his base salary of $225,000 is nothing to sneeze at. But his contract is typical, and offers benefits most workers could only dream of, inflating the city’s cost of his employment to $326,000. According to the San Diego Union Tribune, he receives than 14 weeks of paid time off every year, along with a $9,000 auto allowance, a $1,000 computer stipend, a full $15,000 contribution to his 401 (k), and a life insurance policy. As another perk, he’s allowed to bring his spouse on up to three conference trips every year, all expenses paid. His contract also has a clause that is somewhat like the “franchise player” status in the NFL. His salary can never drop below the third-highest city manager in San Diego County.”

[SD Transplant]

Let the good times roll:

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2010/10/20-government-workers-with-super-sized-pay.html

“12. Escondido City Manager Clay Phillips is not the best paid city manager, though his base salary of $225,000 is nothing to sneeze at. But his contract is typical, and offers benefits most workers could only dream of, inflating the city’s cost of his employment to $326,000. According to the San Diego Union Tribune, he receives than 14 weeks of paid time off every year, along with a $9,000 auto allowance, a $1,000 computer stipend, a full $15,000 contribution to his 401 (k), and a life insurance policy. As another perk, he’s allowed to bring his spouse on up to three conference trips every year, all expenses paid. His contract also has a clause that is somewhat like the “franchise player” status in the NFL. His salary can never drop below the third-highest city manager in San Diego County.”

[SD Transplant]

Let the good times roll:

http://redtape.msnbc.com/2010/10/20-government-workers-with-super-sized-pay.html

“12. Escondido City Manager Clay Phillips is not the best paid city manager, though his base salary of $225,000 is nothing to sneeze at. But his contract is typical, and offers benefits most workers could only dream of, inflating the city’s cost of his employment to $326,000. According to the San Diego Union Tribune, he receives than 14 weeks of paid time off every year, along with a $9,000 auto allowance, a $1,000 computer stipend, a full $15,000 contribution to his 401 (k), and a life insurance policy. As another perk, he’s allowed to bring his spouse on up to three conference trips every year, all expenses paid. His contract also has a clause that is somewhat like the “franchise player” status in the NFL. His salary can never drop below the third-highest city manager in San Diego County.”

[sdrealtor]

Now I dont have a problem with that or think that is obscene for a city manager of a fairly large size city. He is essentially the CEO or COO of a good sized company. There is only one of him in that city.

[sdrealtor]

Now I dont have a problem with that or think that is obscene for a city manager of a fairly large size city. He is essentially the CEO or COO of a good sized company. There is only one of him in that city.

[sdrealtor]

Now I dont have a problem with that or think that is obscene for a city manager of a fairly large size city. He is essentially the CEO or COO of a good sized company. There is only one of him in that city.

[sdrealtor]

Now I dont have a problem with that or think that is obscene for a city manager of a fairly large size city. He is essentially the CEO or COO of a good sized company. There is only one of him in that city.

[sdrealtor]

Now I dont have a problem with that or think that is obscene for a city manager of a fairly large size city. He is essentially the CEO or COO of a good sized company. There is only one of him in that city.

[davelj]

[quote=Turtle69]

As tough and dangerous as the job is purported to be there seems to be no shortage of people willing to assume the job on a volunteer basis. Municipalities can massively reduce the number of professional firefighter’s on their staff’s if they are serious about reducing their budget’s.
[/quote]

And this applies to police officers, teachers, etc. There are multiples of qualified folks willing to do these jobs (for less compensation) for every opening.

Now, someone could rightfully argue that there are multiples of qualified folks willing to do the Highly Paid CEO’s job (for less compensation) as well and yet true market forces don’t appear to be fully at play with these positions either. And that’s a problem.

The difference, however, is that in the former case the TAXPAYERS’ money is at stake while in the latter case PRIVATE money is at stake (with the obvious exception of financial services firms who are on government life support – and these fuckers should have their pay cut WAY back).

[davelj]

[quote=Turtle69]

As tough and dangerous as the job is purported to be there seems to be no shortage of people willing to assume the job on a volunteer basis. Municipalities can massively reduce the number of professional firefighter’s on their staff’s if they are serious about reducing their budget’s.
[/quote]

And this applies to police officers, teachers, etc. There are multiples of qualified folks willing to do these jobs (for less compensation) for every opening.

Now, someone could rightfully argue that there are multiples of qualified folks willing to do the Highly Paid CEO’s job (for less compensation) as well and yet true market forces don’t appear to be fully at play with these positions either. And that’s a problem.

The difference, however, is that in the former case the TAXPAYERS’ money is at stake while in the latter case PRIVATE money is at stake (with the obvious exception of financial services firms who are on government life support – and these fuckers should have their pay cut WAY back).

[davelj]

[quote=Turtle69]

As tough and dangerous as the job is purported to be there seems to be no shortage of people willing to assume the job on a volunteer basis. Municipalities can massively reduce the number of professional firefighter’s on their staff’s if they are serious about reducing their budget’s.
[/quote]

And this applies to police officers, teachers, etc. There are multiples of qualified folks willing to do these jobs (for less compensation) for every opening.

Now, someone could rightfully argue that there are multiples of qualified folks willing to do the Highly Paid CEO’s job (for less compensation) as well and yet true market forces don’t appear to be fully at play with these positions either. And that’s a problem.

The difference, however, is that in the former case the TAXPAYERS’ money is at stake while in the latter case PRIVATE money is at stake (with the obvious exception of financial services firms who are on government life support – and these fuckers should have their pay cut WAY back).

[davelj]

[quote=Turtle69]

As tough and dangerous as the job is purported to be there seems to be no shortage of people willing to assume the job on a volunteer basis. Municipalities can massively reduce the number of professional firefighter’s on their staff’s if they are serious about reducing their budget’s.
[/quote]

And this applies to police officers, teachers, etc. There are multiples of qualified folks willing to do these jobs (for less compensation) for every opening.

Now, someone could rightfully argue that there are multiples of qualified folks willing to do the Highly Paid CEO’s job (for less compensation) as well and yet true market forces don’t appear to be fully at play with these positions either. And that’s a problem.

The difference, however, is that in the former case the TAXPAYERS’ money is at stake while in the latter case PRIVATE money is at stake (with the obvious exception of financial services firms who are on government life support – and these fuckers should have their pay cut WAY back).

[Author]

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