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WI Gov gives $765K in bonuses to state workers after pay cut for public workers
He is just so special.
Wisconsin's budget crisis was so severe that, according to Gov. Scott
Walker, pay cuts for public workers across the state were an absolute
must. Pay cuts for rank-and-file public workers, that is. For teachers
and librarians and snowplow drivers and custodians. The state's managers
and lawyers, though, are a different story:
An analysis of data The Associated Press obtained through an open records request showed Wisconsin agencies have handed out more than $765,000 in bonuses and merit raises this year to nearly 220 employees.That includes nearly $300,000 in raises and bonuses to staff at the Department of Justice, which had previously tried to cut its Sexual Assault Victim Services program's grants by 42.5 percent for budgetary reasons. Assistant Attorney General Maria Lazar and Deputy Attorney General Kevin St. John got raises of $3,000 and $5,000.The money was awarded under a program former Democratic Gov. Jim Doyle suspended but Walker reinstated last year.
The Republican governor's top aide, Department of Administration Secretary Mike Huebsch, said Walker brought the program back because he felt it was important to mirror the private sector and provide rewards for outstanding work.Scott Walker is literally, explicitly promoting two different systems for public workers: If you're already high up the food chain, you should be eligible for more, regardless of the state's budget situation. If you're just another worker making sure kids are educated or streets are safe, you should face cuts and be blamed for budget problems.
"Get your facts first. Then you can distort them as you please."
~ Mark Twain
Re: WI Gov gives $765K in bonuses to state workers after pay cut for public workers
This is such utter bull that I can barely type out a coherent response because I'm too consumed with anger. Both H and I have, at one time or another, been directly affected by Walker's budget cuts. He never gave twoshits about whether our pay was mirroring the private sector. Bonuses? Merit pay? PFFFFT. We were told to take our gruel and like it. He is such a horrible, horrible human being.
I work for a non profit and there has been a lot of talk about how we are having trouble attracting and retaining talent because we can't offer them the pay they could receive elsewhere. I don't think that attempting to mirror pay in the private sector is a bad idea in theory and I also don't think that a 3k and 5k raise are crazy.
I do, however, think that this is very poor practice while cutting pay for others. It shouldn't just be the people at the top getting rewarded while those at the bottom are punished. I guess if the talented lower paid workers will be attracted and retained anyway then it makes financial sense not to provide them incentive to do something they will do without the incentive, but it is very bad PR/HR practice.
Given that WI is mostly a blue collar state, I do find it odd that this guy ever got elected. He certainly isn't looking out for the little guy.
I agree Bridey - as a state employee, I laughed when Van Holland gave a speech about having to pay fair market wages to his staff in order to keep them. What a joke. I easily make 10% below market wage, but until August my benefits made up for some of that. Until now, his motto has basically been all about how state employees are living high on the hog. He has made us the bad guys since he came into office. I am proud to work for this state and for the people I work for, but there is only so much you can take before starting to look elsewhere.
Not to mention demonizing unions.
I am the 99%.
CRAFTY ME
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