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AP: Okla. workers push for market, performance pay

 

Oklahoma state employees have not seen a market pay adjustment since 2006. In that time, the costs of goods and services has only shot upward. It's a situation that is shrinking paychecks and making it harder to stay in state service. 

 

In this article from the AP, which was published in several local papers across the state, OPEA Executive Director Sterling Zearley and several state employees talk about the topic and why it's so important for state employees to have a market pay adjustment this legislative session.

 

"You've got to make that position, whatever it is, comparable to market," said Sterling Zearley, executive director of the 10,000-member Oklahoma Public Employees Association. "You've got to compare them to similar jobs. Just because you're in it for the service doesn't mean you're in public servitude."


For more of the article, click here.


Posted on Mon, January 28, 2013 by OPEA

4 comments ()

1. concerned wrote:
When can we see this come about? Why not push for the double longevity pay as well, which would help out also. They did previously bring this up in the talk of ways to help the employees.

Tue, January 29, 2013 @ 8:39 AM

2. Joe wrote:
Just to give a little perspective to our state lawmakers of how much more state employees are paying extra since 2006 to survive week to week.


price gas in 2006 $2.34 2012 $3.38 69% increase

Bread in 2006 $1.05 2012 $1.57 66% increase

Ground Chuck 2006 $2.30 2012 $3.48 66% increase

Eggs Large 2006 $1.14 2012 $2.10 54% increase

Milk 2006 $2.80 2012 $3.60 77% increase



At this rate no matter how good our benefits are no one will be able to make ends meet to work for the state.
Plus this next generation of employees care more about the money than they do about the benefits.


Our Senators & Reps. better get a clue or they will have a crisis on their hands where very few will apply for state work...and those who do apply will be the bottom of the barrel workers. Something needs to done or it will be the lawmakers who will have to explain to their constituents why public services are so bad or not available at all.

Wed, January 30, 2013 @ 9:39 AM

3. BJLarsen wrote:
https://jobshrportal.cpa.texas.gov/ENG/careerportal/Job_Profile.cfm?szOrderID=220600&szReturnToSearch=1&&szWordsToHighlight=social%20services

interesting...ddsd CM's start around 2300 monthly, look at what Texas pays.
May take my 18 years experience and move closer to my kids in Dallas afterall; I don't believe I can count on our legislature

Wed, January 30, 2013 @ 3:40 PM

4. Mike wrote:
Something needs to be done. Between the raise in insurance rates and the 2% social security tax being taken out again I lost $150 on the paycheck I got today.

Thu, January 31, 2013 @ 3:53 PM