Professional Documents
Culture Documents
lI,2014
December
RE:
LETTER IN SUPPORT
Dear Mr. Agata;
The M/C employees' salary increases were withheld and neglecied for years, while M/C
employees saw new programs created throughout the State that required funding and staffing.
The time is right not only to restore the salaries of M/C employees but also to include a
reasonable and modest protection against inequitable withholding of salary increases against any
particular group of non-unionizedpublic employees in the future.
Furthermore, there have been reports of recent discussions about the possibility of holding a
legislative special session to address pay raises for the Legislature, statewide elected officials,
and heads of agencies. The current state of affairs presents a unique opportunity for the
Govemor to correct all inequities within the State's pay and benefit structure for employees not
represented by a union, while ensuring the State's fiscal stability going forward.
Through an executive order, the Governor could expand the Salary Commission's review to
include the salaries of Legislators, statewide elected officials, and heads of agencies and perform
a top-to-bottom, transparent evaluation of the salaries and benefits for public employees not
subject to a collective bargaining agreement. This approach would ensure equality and fairness
for all members of the State's workforce. Further, inclusion of the salaries of Legislators,
statewide elected officials, and heads of agencies with those of M/C employees would send a
clear and resounding message that the M/C employees' contribution to the operations of the State
is recognized and critical to the State's success and, more importantly, that they receive the same
consideration as the unionized workforce of the Sfate.
For the foregoing reasons, OMCE strongly supports the signing of this bill into law.
Respectfully submitted,
Barbara Zarcn
President
Joseph B. Sano
Executive Director