The PMSA, sent out a letter to its City of Lake Worth union workers saying that it recommends a "NO" vote on the city's proposal after several years of negotiation on their contract...saying that the city is unwilling to negotiate fairly.
After not having a raise in eight years, the employees were given a 4% raise to begin on October 1, 2015 and to this day, employees have not received their raise. This commission, as politically astute as they are, would not have turned down a long over-due raise for its employees as it is an election year.
Read the letter from the PMSA and their reasons for denying Lake Worth's proposal.
72 comments:
Wow, I guess the letter the CM posted on the LW website in regards to valueing the employeees was just a load of political BS!
"The truth always comes out eventually" here's yet another black eye on the city. Where did you get this letter Lynn? is it on the cities website?
Just give the employees a raise ALREADY!!! Even though the commission, whom by the way are up for re-election, voted a raise its very disconcerting that our beloved city is putting stipulations on it. It’s about time we finally have evidence to support all the speculation and lies city hall has spouted out. Why would anyone want to work for LW for 30 thirty years with a company that doesn't have their best interests in mind. No wonder the employee morale is shot and retention is at an all-time low. Its surprising with all the fundraisers and publicity stunts the commissioners are pulling they haven't even asked the question since October, "Why haven't you issued the employees a raise yet that we voted on???" How can anyone take pride in a city that doesn't care about the people it governs?
The city has had for years a 20 year pension plan. That means if you start work for Lake Worth at age 20, you can take a full retirement at age 40 with the city, us, paying it till you die. Most other cities, counties, the state and companies rely on a 30 years of service since the mortality rate has steadily increased over the last couple of decades. Yes, at some point the city needs to address the fact that union pensions are breaking us. 4% sounds meager, but because we have such a heavy pension liability, we cannot afford more. Something needs to give.
Did the Lw city really not think that this would come out to the public. Its sad the employees have to deal with this magic rabbit dangling in a hat trick. The manager of the city and all the reps on his side should all resign just for the mere fact that it came out showing the true nature of the situation in which they are using shady tactics. Talk about ethics.. they need a workshop on that!
hmmm I wonder if this will effect the election now that the secret is out there for us to see.
This will NOT effect the election. And the term before you get pension benefits should be negotiated, IMO. As I don't understand "multipliers," etc, I can't really speak to this issue. I hope that it can be worked out. Negotiating the pension separately sounds like a good idea but I can see both sides of the issue here.
Maybe the CM and Departmental Heads paychecks should start to give a little instead of their annually increasing salaries and bonuses... The union recognizes that a 20 year pension paid out is not sustainable in today’s world. The Union is proposing that the employees that signed in underneath the old contract prior to 2010 for the 20 years and out be honored. Anyone after 2010 will have the option of the 30 years to retire or 5-5-5 plan to collect at 62 years old. Out of our 300 or so employees, only about 40 people fall into the old plan. At least give them what they signed up for. These are people that built their lives on the city for their families and lively hood. It is unjust to just up and change a plan that was promised and agreed to at their time of employment. Even if you make the prior employees wait until 62 to collect just give them their 20. A meniscal 4% raise is a joke when the CM and Department Heads received around a 13% raise increase. These are the people stating the city is broke but it’s okay for them to happily receive more but yet the employees fall short. Simply value your workers and they will value their output and create a better city for everyone. This back deals and lying to the public is immortal and unethical and they should be ashamed to face the public.
As for the commissioners… These are people that vote ordinances and rules into city law. You would think they would be more in tuned to what is going on. Especially in an election year.
The city is banking on that 30 year pension plan even with the horrible multiplier because none of the employees will ever reach 30 years. Honestly why stay in a organization for 30 years when there is always a roadblock that could pop up? The employees haven't had a raise in almost a decade and now this letter surfaces after we were told they got their raise. It makes me wonder what else are they telling whole lies and half truths about.
The city could careless about its employees so do you really think the commissioners do @ ANON 12:50?
to the 1:53, I don't think that the commissioners have any real stake in what happens after they pass a ordinance or a employee raise into affect. I do believe that as a appointed individual they should care more about the people's opinion they represent and overall how the public sees them. Personally I am disappointed in the city for lying if this letter is true and for the disregard of the people they govern over.
Look after you're employees and they will look after you: Keep smiling and spinning that bowtie like Peewee Herman because in the end Karma will catch up to Mr. Bornstein.
Does anyone want to bet that now that Lynn has shown the public this letter that we will all see Mr. Bornstein post a rebuttal entirely about how much he values the employees, haha! Lies I tell you. I'm curious how the City expects to keep favor in the public sector now that a blatant false has been exposed.
Seems like the commission is worthless. They can vote whatever they want to in but the buck stops inside city hall. If I worked at a job for over 7 years without a raise and have gone through what these employees are having to deal with id just coast. what's the point of pride of work when the people above you don't care about you.
they could direct the CM to pay the raise. He reports to them. blame it all on the majority commission who are all up for reelection.
The CM is all about himself. The proof is right there infront us
The city hires a promotes a dispatcher Supv to Asst Director for $20K more in salary, Promotes a meter Supervisor to Supervisor and give him $20K more a year, hires more engineers to help with the utility and turns around and tell the union they can't afford a raise to the other staff and Bargaining units. Give the Director of HR a $15K raise and the CM a $10 raise but hold off on all others. GIve me a break this is so wrong, We all need to just leave this city and let them find new patsies.
I completely understand where your coming from. I feel bad for the employees that vested so much of their lives in this city for nothing just to have the rug ripped out from under them with empty promises. It is wrong but unfortunately the rich get richer the poor get poorer. This is the city legacy. No matter how many people voice their opinion regardless of right or wrong nothing seems to change. Meanwhile the employees suffer and the CM & his lackies can sit on their high horses and do whatever they want.
Sitting is what all these directors, Assistant Dir and manager's do and they do it well. We work hard for this city and it is time to get the hell out of here.
Go figure the city offers a back alley one sided secret forced contract with the union
Its not just the cm. Its the whole regime... Dept heads& especially the HR Director plus the commission has no excuses. Whats the point of voting a raise if the city whom they work with just tangles it up. Its now FEB with zero raises and now we know why. Hey Bornstein we know you read this blog, just know every single employee knows your fake they may smile just bc of fear of losing their job. Your definitely a piece of work buddy
I bet the higher ups are enjoying their un stipulated raises! Enjoy them while all the poor souls that work under you all enjoy same measly pay since 2008! Im an employee and truthfully ive put so much time in the city hoping for a brighter day but truth is this place is just a bad bet. Ive wasted so many years and seen so many great good hearted people leave. Im looking for a new job too i cant afford to waste more of my life with a place that could care less about its workers. They know morale is horrible! Honestly how could they not??? Retention is unbelievably low.
I am am employee whose been with the city prior to the forced 30 year contract implemented by Stanton. The city should at least honor those contracts for the enployees prior to 2010. Its such a small group whom even fit into it. If you want to implement the 30 year and 5-5-5 at least give the enployees a fair multiplier or some SORT of incentive to work here!!!! This city blatantly treats the employees as if we are nothing and its sad. Ive seen so many good hearted wholesome employees / friends leave this place. Retention is at a all time low. I am looking into speaking with a lawyer in regards to my forced contract change bc I signed for 20, not this bs.
Lynn i have commented a few times on here and just wanted to say Thank you for sharing whats really going behind the doors. We appreciate all that you do. I hope you have a great evening.
This is sad to read =( I feel bad for the employee's
Even with Lake Worths' hard hitting attorneys im sure backing their every move they have to be doing something illegal. What happened to this place? While I was growing up here it seemed so much better years ago n' now all I see is corrupt politician's tooting their horns twisting the facts to further their own agendas. Even the commission turns a blind eye to the truth. What happened to working together to improving this sweet little town? Bewildering the employees is not the way to show good faith and honesty which are the basic qualities of a leader. Its clear to see its time to clean out city hall.
I hope the vote ends up with a no for the employee's sake.
@8:37..glad you have a venue and I can well understand why you are unhappy. It sounds like your Union is trying to work out the best deal for you. Personally, I wouldn't compromise either...not for 4%. Your union is like your attorney. I would say listen to them. If the city is playing hard ball, it is because they are looking out for the CITY and it's interest...that's their job.
I wish that the city was wealthier and could afford to double that raise.. Just know that we residents are happy with you and the good job that you do day in and day out.
The way i see it is simple if the people in charge aka the CM is saying the city is broke then why did he and his department heads get a huge $10,000+ raise yet a 4% equals out to nowhere even remotely close.
Whats good for the goose is good for the gander
If the town of Lake Worth is really broke as they say they are and in such a financial crisis for around abouts' of 8 years now then the previous commenter has a good point. Where's the money for all the manager raises coming from and those are the same people stating there's no money in the budget for the people below them. Give the people what they were contracted to prior to 2010 and let’s work together to come up with a new pension plan favorable for all the new hires post 2010 and the city. I know that the union wants to come up with a fair solution and realize it’s a give and take negotiation but the Gestapo techniques the city is using is just plain wrong. Something sounds fishy and the letter posted confirms that the city is not acting in good faith. I hope this make the news because it needs too. The employees need our public help instead of people just commenting on a blog. I will be emailing a copy of this letter to the palmbeachpost & wptv. Hopefully more people speak up as well. I understand how the employees must feel especially for fear of firing if they were to speak out. It’s time for a change and let us be the change this city needs.
I have a difference of opinion with the City Manager. The employees should be happy they have a job. If he wants a raise for himself and his managers so be it, hes the boss! All the people who commented that are employees just shut up. You should all be kissing his feet to just to have a job. And ms. Anderson you of all people should be appauled by everyone posting negative writings about him. Ms. Stanton was for the city and against the employees and you favored her so what happened to you? When did you all of a sudden care about the babied staff? I say suck it up do your job and you dont deserve or need a raise! I support Mr. B
Ms. Stanton had nothing to do with not giving raises. She was not here long enough for any of that because Maxwell took the lead to fire her because she stood up to his BULL. That was his fist bad decision. What she did do was eliminate positions as we were about to belly-up. This was not because she was against the employees...let's get that one straight. She turned the city from the Red into the Black.
Next, the employees have a point. Don't give management big raises when you don't look out for your staff below who actually do the work.
Everyone deserves a damn raise, at least a cost-of-living increase yearly.
ANON @ 10:01AM. You must be a immoralist individual to make such a bold statement as you did. Nobody deserves to be treated as the current employees are being treated. You need to fact check yourself before you spout off a inaccurate rant. Its people like you that make it hard for everyone else with your self-righteous idealology attitude. Maybe you should run for politics, you'd fit right in with the current City Management.
To the anonymous coward who just attempted to post here-
Your comment is being deleted. Read my policy. You cannot come here and personally attack this author. If you had eliminated your first sentence, it would have been posted.
Try again.
If I allowed all of these personal attacks, it would be non-stop, 24/7/365 with you people.
My opinion is as valuable as yours. Just do yours nicely...no snide remarks towards me...just make your point. You like the CM--great.
I think the majority off commenters here are on the same page. Treat your people right and they will go above and beyond for you. As the years pass prices go up and with a stagnant salary people are actually taking a pay cut with out even a cost of living increase. Every time you (lynn) post a article about the employees it always seems to get heated. I guess its a very sensitive subject among residents.
It's an absolute fact that Unions are breaking cities all across the country. The unfunded liabilities are unimaginable. Something has to be done to make pensions sustainable for municipalities. I agree that we should go with a Defined Contribution Plan but I also agree that workers, unless we are in another recession/depression need a raise--at least adjusted to the cost of living. What you find during a recession is that there is little to no inflation.
In the past 8 years inflation has occurred and with zero raises or cost of living adjustments with the city personnel, exception city manager and department heads, its safe to say the employees have been taking pay cuts to continue working with LW, that shows devotion in hopes of a brighter day. Yes, 20 paid out is unsustainable but the City should honor those people who legally signed into that contract back in the day and whom have been here through all the mud since. The new combers should get a option for the 30 or 5-5-5 and paid at 62 with a fair multiplier negotiated through the Union. The Union realizes they cannot get everything they want but what's fair is fair. The city's lack of good faith will bite them in the butt in the end. Once they employees finish the vote and vote no, which is likely, the contract will go to a outside party "impass" for negotiation. Non bias negotiation.
I'm sure we will see a letter pop on the City of Lake Worth website from the City Managers justifying his actions, "twisting the facts." He's a politician, he can make dog poo look appetizing! Lies I tell you...
You never know the news might catch wind of this
Hey employees,you better help kick Triolo,Amoroso and Maxwell out of office if you ever want a raise and a new city manager!!!!
Very good qualified and educated employees have left running out of here with all the corruption going on. I know of a couple manager's and directors that told me about some of the crap that occurs that is not spoken of. Of course they left to better themselves and/or forced out because they did not agree with the CM or HR Director. Terrible leadership here and like a few folks have already stated time to bale on this city go where we can be appreciated and treated fairly.
@ 6:04. Its sad but true. Why work for a company that blatantly shows they dont value their employees. If this happened in the private sector that company would fail
If my boss treated me like the city treats its employees they better be ready for a lawsuit.
to compare the CIty to a corporate setting doesn't work as in a corporate setting you would be fired for treating the employees like they treat them or the unions would be grieving and suing. Ask the HR Director about being terminated for her past, oh wait we are not suppose to know that. Well just stay the course bornstein and watch all your good people leave you. Lynn keep this posting up on your front page for awhile longer, it's interesting to see how people really feel
The unions are grieving, alot! They dont care about good or bad people leaving or staying. This is a turn around city. People come in gain some experience then move on. As long as the CM & Dept Heads continue receiving there $130,000+ salaries they could careless about the pee-ons beneath them. Sad... Truly sad.
How can this City manager be working in the best interests of the tax paying residents of Lake Worth while treating employees so unappreciative and at the same time taking huge raises for himself and is directors.
The PEU and PMSA union offer the CM and HR director to work with them in the best interests of City and employees on working to phase out the 20 and out pension and this was met with rejection by management.
If the City is so broke maybe it's time the CM and is Directors start given back and stop playing Politic with the City tax dollars this should not be their personal piggy bank. (VOTE NO)
The vote is Feb 28th. I hope they vote no bc if the yes win then the city is truly doomed and lake worth will never be a choice city to work. Even worse than it is now.
I hope this makes the news. This is a story worthy of publishing
Triolo,Amoroso and Maxwell all run business is LakeWorth that alone is their interest, They put on their show at the commission meeting acting like they were on reality TV.
They make sure that what concern them and might hurt their business get taken care.
I hope that they lose this election and get investigated for misuse of power because Value and Caring start with your EMPLOYEE.
The CM is like a cartoon character: Daffy Donald duck on the outside then Mr. Burns from "The Simpsons" on the inside.
Lynn this article should stay on your front page, let the community see what and how this city management really runs things and how people feel about their leadership. They are voters as well.
I'll keep it up on the right side of blog as Featured post for a little bit longer.
Crazy! The emoloyees cant win, just another carrot the city is dangeling. The employees deserve a cost of living increase / raise! I want my tax dollars to go them not just to the CM & all his managers so they can get more than they deserve. This is plain wrong and unjust
Interesting because i thought they all got there raise back in october when the commission said so?
Thats what was put out to us but judging from the letter they didn't get it. Why would the city give out false information to us. Is this what the city has evolved into over the years? A bunch of misleading beauricrats.
The commission doesnt seem to care much. I bet if this want mainstream the tune would change.
Ive worked for this city for around a decade with only 2 5% raises and now they are not only saying, by this horrible contract, that my efforts sticking through the tough times are worth nothing but now my future here is worth even less. This place openly shows that the employees come last. Ive seen so many people leave and the ones that are hanging on are praying for a change that sadly may never come with the current management we have. Every time the CM or HR Director speaks it sickens me to see them smiling spouting lies to my face. I miss the old Lake Worth. The one I new when I first signed on.
We've been slapped in the face forever and now there kicking us in the gut with this horrible contract. When will they realize that the employees are the backbone of this place. Vote NO!!
The city will never truly value its personnel. Those times left a long time ago. You would think it would care alot about its seasoned employees for the knowledge alone but judging by all the comments thats not the case. I sent a copy of this to the palmbeachpost & wptv.
This whole thread is saddening. Im surprised there is so many people voicing their opinions. Its nice to see the community reaching out in support. Maybe this will help the employees
Just cruising through your threads n this caught my eye * is this really whats going on with Lake Worth Lynn? I never would have guessed this little town had this type of hostility for the management. Its uplifting to read some of the comments that people are making for the people who take care of us
Gotta love the LDUB, theres always something going on.
Does the city think this wouldnt get out there? Im suprised its now feb and this is the first time hearing of this when we were told it was a done deal back last year
I'm sure they knew just didnt care...
Lynn, has any of this ever been brought up @ at commission meeting? 4 months is awhile to be sliding this lil note between the bed sheets of city hall
I just looked on the city website. The city stated the raise has no stipulations but all the employees are saying opposite. Someone is lying
This is just plain injustice if the city of LW is in such a die hard situation and you care about the service that Lake Worth employees give to it residents then take care of your employee's first so they can give the type of service that you were hired to delivered.
Tell Lake Worth Mr CM how it look when you cut service by depleting your work force increase your overhead grease your pocket and make excused for poor service. This City Manager is far from been a good leader or one that can bridge the divide, he is a politician with no people skill and that is why he uses lawyers to oppress is employees and hide behind is HR director.
The Unions have reach out to the City Manager asking to let us work together and resolve issued that will make Lake Worth a better place to work and live, in return he gave us a hostile HR director/Lawyer that have no respect for contractual employees rights. We are not trying to break The City of Lake Worth all we want is to be treated fair so we may give our best service,knowledge and expertise to the residents that we were hired to serve.
I ask each an everyone of you to support us to make The City of Lake Worth a better place a place were Employees will stay and give the service it residents deserve not excuses from those that were hired to serve but have turn politicians.
So has their been a resolution to this? unbelievable our employees are going through this. I know we do not trust our leadership on the Electric Side as both the Director and Ass Dir have told us lies and can not be trusted. Of course that is how they got into the position they are in now or atleast the Ass Director anyway. Of course he is buddies with the HR Dir so go figure
This a quote from City Manager Michael Bornstein
“I can understand why people would be angry, but things change in our world,” he said. “Really rich benefit programs are a thing of the past.”
Now he was given a $10,000 raise by city commissioners last year, bringing his annual salary to $145,000. The raise has many workers, who haven’t had one in eight years, upset. This go to show how much he appreciate is employee. If employee are contributing to their pension should they not have a right to talk about it? Are we not living in a Democratic Society?
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Have a Lake Worth issue you’d like to see The Post tackle, or a story idea? Contact Kevin D. Thompson at 561-820-4573 or KThompson@pbpost.com.
The plain true is the City Manager decided its better not to treat is employees fairly, instead pay is lawyers so he can politically manipulate Lake Worth tax base to lead them to believe he a great person and can be trusted.
Union Negotiation Statements mane by the City Manager.
This is from LW website (Quote) To be clear, nothing in the negotiations with any of the unions has tied a 4% increase for Fiscal Year
2015/2016 to accepting a new pension plan for new employees.
This is from The Palm Beach Post (Quote) City Attorney Glen Torcivia disputed that notion, saying there have been over a half dozen meetings the past several months. As for separating the pension from the raise, Torcivia said that won’t happen.
City Manager Michael Bornstein is just playing Politics hiding behind City Lawyers and HR Director/Lawyer. He has taken is Positional bargaining stand. The PMSA/PEU union is asking him to work with them on a Principled stand which both parties work together to forge a value-creating agreement.
PEU union vote 65 no 5 yes PMSA union 13 no 2 yes not to ratify contract.This vote should send a strong massage to City Manager Michael Bornstein face your employees and negotiate fairly work together to forge a value-creating agreement.
Stop wasting tax payer money, hiding behind City lawyers and start doing your job make Lake Worth a better place to work and live.
and we are to believe the 40m bond is for streets.i do believe this lies on comm.feet after all I thought they were cm boss
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