Friday, September 18, 2015

Strings to Lake Worth City Employee raises?

Comment Up
Strings

As we, Joe Public, never hear about union negotiations, this was submitted as a comment.  As it is explosive, it deserves the front page even if it can not be verified. We are all under the impression that this "visionary" was doing the right thing towards our city employees by giving out a 4% raise beginning on October 1, 2015.  They had no problem awarding the city manager a huge salary increase.

Here is a fun tid bit:

The city employees are NO longer receiving the 4% raise October 2nd. The commission voted it in but the City denied it because the city wants to invoke a contract with the union stating, they will grant a raise but then the employees will not receive anymore raises for 3 years and tie it into a 30 year pension contract. The Union is fighting for the raise to be separate from the pension negotiations and to deny a 3 year tie up in raise contracts. Resulting in NO raise October 2nd for employees.

Don't believe all the rumors from city meetings. Listen to the actual employees on what's really going on. =( Once again the City shows how much the employees are really worth to them..
.

From anonymous

82 comments:

Anonymous said...

Go LW you've show your true colors once again! Good Job! City of Choice...right...

Anonymous said...

City manager +$15,000 per year, City Department Heads +$10,000 per year raise, City Employee's $0,00 per year & going on 8 years! No wonder this city looks like crap.. hmm maybe bc the employee's are valued as poo... how about we treat the employees right??? No... okay lets continue to enjoy our failing city filled with crime, blight..etc Leadership all the way fellas!

Anonymous said...

I hope this isn't true. poor employees =...(

Anonymous said...

Lynn,

It was supposed to be October 1st 2015 not 2016. Either way I hope they get raise, 7 years is a long time.

Lynn Anderson said...

Sorry anonymous @4:41--I was thinking of the 2016 budget. I corrected the year.

Anonymous said...

Really??? Pray this isnt true!

Anonymous said...

We all know the city doesnt actually value the employees but with a 30 year pension contract and pitiful leaders battling for mudayne raises truth be told why even stay as a employee? The city is on a steaming path for disaster! A strike is inevitable!!!

Lynn Anderson said...

We are in very tough times right now. Unfortunately you see upper management giving themselves huge raises and you can't even get a peanut. But things will change, of that I am sure. Even the federal reserve did not raise interest rates...they have no confidence in the economy. Think of the positive right now...you do get great benefits.

Anonymous said...

This is ridiculous. Another year goes by and the City lets down its employees & lies to the public! Shouldn't that be a issue in its own? Bornstein is a JOKE. I hope you enjoy your enormous paychecks while you starve the people under you! Lets all just pray this isnt so

Anonymous said...

If they dont give a raise where does all that allocated money go? Shady business is a brewing in our community

Anonymous said...

Ugh oooo someone let the cat outta the bag with this glimpse into whats really being talked about in negotiations.

Anonymous said...

@ ANON 5:03, I will be praying for the employees too . we all will know the truth when Oct 1st rolls around

Anonymous said...

Why are they negotiating it? I thought it was a done deal that All employees are having a pay bump on October 1 2015? Its like a magic show flipping cards

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 5:51 thats exactly what it is "a magic trick" thanks for posting insider information Ms. Anderson. I love reading your blog. Im sure this will blow up now that the public sees what schemes are happening behind the scenes

Lynn Anderson said...

On Tuesday night, a representative of PMSA Union out of Tallahassee spoke during Public commentary complaining about the employee raises...contract. I had no idea what this was all about. As Triolo now has a new policy that commissioners cannot reply to public comments, we did not learn that there was a dispute on this issue. Perhaps it will be settled before October 1. The Rep was objecting to not receiving info in a timely manner.

Anonymous said...

I would bet my bottom dollar this is true simply because more and more people are quitting their jobs for lake worth and finding better paying positions elsewhere. If these are such tough times then why is only certain people allowed pay increases? Its funny a 15 grand a year pay increase for people like the CM is around 7 bucks a hr increase while a measly 4% is less than a buck and hr for the many employees. So tell me why again is it even a debate for a raise? "ONLY BIG WIGS MATTER"... Clearly.

Anonymous said...

And the truth unfolds....

Anonymous said...

The city cant just honor their word. They tell the public oh were giving them raises and so forth then behind closed doors its a battle. Such as a 30 year pension plan? Like a employee is really going to stay employeed for 30 years with a organization that doesnt have their best interests in mind who continuously shows their lack of. What a fake CM & comissioners we have! Its all about themselves! I cant wait until this gets out and everyone finds out how corrupt they are.. Shame on you!

Anonymous said...

Pitifull! Simply Pitiful Lynn! Whoever the employee is that wrote that original comment did the right thing by exposing the City for what they are (liers & bullsh!:t artists) but theyd definetly be fired for it. Either way good for them!

Anonymous said...

The commission voted for this raise. Do you think they knew about this? I'm not sure that all commissioners are informed.

Anonymous said...

If not someone should tell them... Wait til this hits the post!

Lynn Anderson said...

In the back-up for Tuesday night's meeting is the following:
Will there be a raise in FY 2016?
· In FY 2016 an one-time 4% across the board salary increase will occur in compliance with Union Contracts ($940,000=GF 40%; $376,000=all others funds 60%)
o For PEU/PMSA/IBEW employees, the 4% increase will be effective the date of the new contracts without retro pay.
o For all non-bargaining employees, the 4% increase will be effective October 1, 2015.
o The Mayor, Commissioners and the City Manager are excluded from
receiving this salary increase.

Anonymous said...

In 2016 thats a fiscal year away. What happened tp the 2015 raise ?

Anonymous said...

The city and union cant reach a agreement because the city is trying to loop hole the employees again... No wonder everyones quitting... Great way to boost moral fellas!

Lynn Anderson said...

@11:03-- our fiscal year starts on October 1, 2015 thru September 30, 2016. We don't work on a calendar year.

Anonymous said...

Just read this. Say it aint so Lynn! What happened to leadership? Honor? Pride? I hope the city reads your blog. You know whats sad, our so called leaders are the same ppl to shake your handle with a smile while stabbing you in the back! Something has to change. Were losing so many valuable skilled employees but as long as the ppl making the rules stay rich its all okay. Is this what it comes down to be acceptable these days?

Anonymous said...

Everyone reads this blog, don't worry about that.

Anonymous said...

Truth is out!!! Corruption in LW

Anonymous said...

Makes you wonder what else they say thats lies to the public. Well i never met a honest politician, haha! No wonder this city is in the gutter

Anonymous said...

This is the fault of the City Manager. HE RUNS LAKE WORTH ! He makes sure that the Commissioners are like mushrooms-Kept in the dark and fed BULL$HIT !!!
Elections DO Matter and you employees had better start helping the people that want to help you. Hint : It isn't friends of Maxwell, Triolo or Amoroso!
The employee purge goes on !!!

Lynn Anderson said...

I wouldn't be surprised if this is not settled very, very soon, there will be a lawsuit. Stanton tried to pull some tricks with the Union and got sued. She lost a few cases as I recall.

Anonymous said...

Evil trickery

Anonymous said...

But the commision voted the CM a Huge raise and a 4 year contract! Of course they get their raise... Its always some excuse why the employees get the run around... If its lack of money or raise stipulations theres always a hidden catch

Anonymous said...

When you give your Directors big raises CM $10K, HR director $15K and create 2 new Asst Directors positions that did not exist Water/Elect for large $ and then screw over the ppl who actually do all their work for them what a shame we are as a city. And we count on employees to run our city, create safe reliable Utilities. I wonder how long these employees who continue to be lied to, have their wages froze will continue to care about their work performance or the needs of the city. Someone better do something as I know employees are looking for jobs and most don't live or care about LW anyway as they have been screwed over and told lies to long now. Good luck trying to find GOOD replacements for those who leave. We already know that the CM & HR Director just fires personnel if they don't agree. What is it now 15 employees who have left since spring. What a disaster LW is.

Anonymous said...

I know 8 employees personally who have resigned within the last 2 months! You know whats sad. We all talk about how horrible horrible everything's going but the people that smile to the public are the real crooks! DONT TRUST THE CM & any of the so called Leaders! Leaders... What a load of bs. Go throw on your stupid bowtie CM and feed the lakeworthians some more bs while you bank off this city while the people who actually work get peanuts. How can anyone take pride living here when everyobe knows how unjust the employees are treated. No wonder lw city has such a high turnover rate. Sad

Anonymous said...

The city doesnt care about losing employees...could they be more obvious? They'll just hire more at less pay bc people need jobs. As long as the Bosses make a ton thats all that matters. How do you tell someone take pride in your work and expect them to do that little extra when you blatantly show you could careless if they stay or leave. When this gets out its going to blow up in their faces!

Anonymous said...

Wow! I feel bad for the employees :/ Bornstien what a FAKE!

Anonymous said...

good ol Lake Worth, keeping its people in the gutter.

Anonymous said...

Try calling out electric or water personnel after hours and see how many take the call. Hell ask your new Asst Elect Director what percentage of his men actually take a call out you might be shocked. (very low below 25%) they are all very disgruntled and plane PO'd. The CM either creates an atmosphere of hate and discontent or if that doesn't work drums up some poor excuse to fire people. He has an HR director who does all his dirty work for him.I believe Lynn you have hit on a volatile subject here and it would be great if our news paper or the Post started interviewing some of the local union personnel. I know I would speak to them if they came to my work area as would a few of my fellow employees.

Anonymous said...

If any employees spoke to the press they'd be fired without a doubt. Thank you Lynn for exposing the behind the scenes info

Anonymous said...

Its sad this is what its come too... Lies & Corruption! "Employees Lives Matter"

Anonymous said...

Really? Cant the enployees gets a break? I dunno whats worse the fact that the city lied openly to the public by saying theyd give the employees a raise oct 1 to make themselves look good or they should have never mentioned a raise if they planned on screwing them over anyway. CM u need to resign! You are a Phoney!

Anonymous said...

Bornstien how about you doing somwthing right & resign already & take all corrupt officails & department heads with you! No one wants liers in office.... ESPECIALLY the Employees!! No wonder this city looks like a dumpster, the leadership is not there. All of you only care about patting your wallets! Keep wearing that goofy bowtie with that ear to ear grin. Sooner or later there will be another STRIKE. Its tragic it would have to come to that for you to open your eyes

Anonymous said...

For a salary of 130,000.00 + a year you'd figure he would care about the people below him that do the work for him to make that much... Just saying

Lynn Anderson said...

To set the record straight on Bornstein's salary and it doesn't mean that he's not worth it of course :) as 3 commissioners voted for it--
City Manager, Michael Bornstein in April was given a $10,000 raise and an extra week vacation for a total of 4 weeks. He now makes $145,000 a year. He gets $500 a month for his car allowance but lives 3 blocks away. His contract was extended for 5 years.. Maier and McVoy voted NAY. Commissioner Maier said that one of his reasons for voting AGAINST was the fact that the employees had not been given a raise.

Anonymous said...

But yet it's to much for a emoloyee to get a tiny 4% raise without stipulations since 7 years ago... This whole situation is saddening. We can all say how we feel but nothing ever changes..

Anonymous said...

=( this situation is disgusting. Bornstien you digust everyone. Just leave! I am an employee and how about you stop being fake when you see us by talking to us with a smile when you BLATANTLY and OBVIOUSLY Stab us in the back. Just sit in your office at city hall and stay away from all the employees bc we're all SICK of you. We just cant say it to you bc some of us need a job and are in a tight pickle and cant just resign.

Anonymous said...

ANON 6:10pm : im sorry to hear that, its the worst when people put on a fake persona to your face and what do you do? If you quit then he wins bc he can hire someone cheaper and if you stay then you have to deal with it. Either way the city always win. I hope things get better for you and all the employees. This situation should be brought up at the next commision meeting

Anonymous said...

I hope the post finds out about this.

Anonymous said...

Bring it up at the next commission meeting, Get real. They could care less what the employees have to say. I am also curious why WES does not look into this, thank you Lynn for exposing this and he will just sit back in the shadows and say nothing.

Anonymous said...

We are all thankful Lynn exposed those money grubbing bastards! Everytime i see the CM and that smug grin it boils my blood. All the employees completely dredd running into him as well as the Department Heads. Go continue getting rich of the employees back while you feed them chicken scratcg lies and the public taxes! I hope the post exposes the lot of you.

Anonymous said...

Lynn this is one of the best discussed issues you have had in a long time and it is so appropriate that I hope you can keep in on the front page of your blog. It appears that the employees and citizens are really speaking to this and all needs to be said and heard. Keep it going don't let it fall to the back pages. This is too important of a topic, exposing our leadership for who they really are and the commission buying into it. Hell they even got a raise but not the employees.

Lynn Anderson said...

I would say that it was a venue for employees to sound out. I have heard some of these complaints before. Bring me something new so that it can stay on the front page. Perhaps it all will be solved before then.

Operating this city is a challenge with low revenues especially when this commission majority adds costs to the beach as an example but has no way of paying for them without raising parking. They voted raising parking fees down. I'm sure that they didn't vote down their travel and entertainment.

Anonymous said...

Im sure when OCT 1 rolls around and no one receives a raise then its concrete evidence that the city is loop holing the employees once again...

Anonymous said...

This city is full of crooks!

Anonymous said...

Im an emploee and i can tell you i absolutly hate running into any officials, city manager and directors because their all smiles to your face and backstabbers. EVERY employee knows you dont care so you all can stop the act!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous September 21 11:54. Im sorry to hear what you all are going through. I do hope the palmbeachpost catches news of this. Maybe publication will help the employees out. Whats happening is wrong. Dead wrong

Anonymous said...

Im sure this city would turn around of they cared about the employees. A simple 4% isnt anything compared to the CM & Department Head raises yet their still continuing to mistreat the workers. Its messed up

Lynn Anderson said...

1:44...I have a lot more faith in the employees than that. Most all of them will continue to give the best that they can in spite of this current situation. I really believe that.
To be frank on this matter, the city can't afford raising any costs on anything.

Anonymous said...

Lynn,

If the city cant afford raising costs on anything in 8 years then why is the commission granting HUGE raises to the City manager and Department Heads who already Bank Immensely off the city? If they are going to use the broke excuse it should be directed towards everyone not just the workers. Are the $100,000 a year people exempt? Because we all know its tough to make a living off $100,000+ a year. 20-$40,000 is much easier...

Anonymous said...

Don't put out to the public employees are receiving a raise when there's back alley negotiations with stipulations. Dirty Laundry cannot be cleaned with muddy water

Lynn Anderson said...

I totally get it @2:27. Ask Triolo, Maxwell and Amoroso who voted on the CM's raise and allowed all the others to go through.

Anonymous said...

This city has too many shady deals happening... employee raises... HH Endeavor... and the homeless rights situation! When did LW become so SHADY???? I stand by the employees and against H&H. Get it together City Hall or its going to be a interesting election next year. In regards to the CM, You're lucky that you have some commissioners in your belt to grant you that beautiful salary increase & care package or you'd be out to just like Stanton. You and your managers are a disgrace. "Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely" and you all are a prime example of that.

Anonymous said...

Why work for a origination that doesn't even care if you stay or leave? Bad Faith! Keep on shoveling garbage into the employees mouth. A person can only take so much... just saying. Has history taught us nothing?

Anonymous said...

The Union hasn't won a case 8 YEARS! what's the point of even having a union if they just lose at everything?

Anonymous said...

Anyone writing on here has zero influence on what's going to be the end verdict from City Hall! The way this city is ran is very upsetting not only from the public views but im sure definitely the employees as well. We can all just blow smoke!

Anonymous said...

True statement to the post @ 4:50. The people in charge could care less about public or employee views or they wouldnt be hosing everyone with false pretenses and empty stipulatory promises. Its very disconcerting to see where they city is heading. I care about progress and for that to happen it starts with employees. Treat them fairly and Lake Worth will progress correctly. Follow our current path and the rich get richer (obviously, from hearing about the City Manager and Departmental Manager Salary Increases) and the poop get poorer. Start leading properly and hopefully this city can turn around. I tell you one thing the morale' was alot better amoung employees before Ms. Stanton came to play. Since then the city has been on a downward spiral. :( I feel for the employees.

Lynn Anderson said...

Do you realize that we had been in a major recession for years and we are trying to crawl our way out of it? The economy has been stagnant all these years. We finally had property values go up 10% to give us a little more money though not enough. Stanton came in and turned this city around and into the black--the direction that we want it to go. We are now, once again, heading in the wrong direction and the graph shows that we will be spending more than we bring in. Geez, guys. I know you don't have sympathy with that, but its fact.

Anonymous said...

With respect Lynn,

If we have been in such a horrible recession then explain were they magically found money for huge increases for the City Manager Salary and Department Managers but come up with excuses for employees. Shows bad faith. Believe what you want Lynn but Every single employee past and present will tell you Ms. Stanton was a devil for the City and ruined many jobs for the employees and her uncouth actions are still rippling throughout this city. She was so bad the city paid her to leave as the commision booted her out. She left dishonored and hated. I mean no disrespect to your opinion but mine differs. I really hope the city changes its tune.

Anonymous said...

LYNN @ 7:03PM: Property values have increased due to market trends everywhere and the rising amount of investors with lack of inventory, it has nothing to do with what plans the city has implicated. Raises arent connected, if so explain how the individuals who make alot accumulate more and the people who make less stay stagnent. I think were getting off topic. I didnt know Lynn was for the Manager's of the city? Wrong venue for that...

Lynn Anderson said...

Ok--I want to say this one time. I will not take any more assassinations on Susan Stanton. I know the great things she did for the city while she was here and I also understand that she was tough on employees. There was an entire culture of indifference with staff. She had to reduce staff numbers and this is never easy. We were a heart beat away from going under. She expected people to come to work on time and do a full day's work...not too much to ask. She was fired on a poltiical 3/2 vote and it was disgusting. Per her contract, she had a good severance as she should have had. She has been gone 4 years or so and it is high time that we all concentrate on the present. That might be something we can do something about. Right?

Lynn Anderson said...

Look, be nice you guys, show some respect here. I gave you a venue to talk about your concerns. This is NOT about former management. This is about your problem right now. Can we stick to the original topic please? I would appreciate that a lot.

Anonymous said...

Lets all calm down and be adults. Lynn is for Ms. Stanton and everyone else is against which is obvious. Everyone is entitled to their own opinions. I hope the employees recieve their raise and thats what matters and what this blog article is all about. So let's stop the Stanton talk and maybe theirs something we can do to help the employees or inquire about it at the commision meeting.

Anonymous said...

I agree it would be nice to bring up at a open forum. Maybe if we the public speak up it will help since if the emoloyees do they face firing... Lets help them out!

Anonymous said...

Anon 8:41. It might just work if the community bands together. It would benefit everyone! Public and employees bc maybe pride of work would return if the citizens showed we care since management doesnt.

Anonymous said...

Anyone know when the next comission meeting is? This dirty laundry deserves to be aired!

Lynn Anderson said...

Oct 6

Anonymous said...

Oh 5 days after the supposed raise is to be implimented. I hope we are all waisting our breath on this topic and the raise goes through. We will all know soon enough if the city shows good faith and keeps their word.

Anonymous said...

Im curious if any employees will show up even if they dont speak the presence alone is good. I can understand why someone may feel stuck and cant risk losing their job.

Anonymous said...

I am an employee and I will be there.

Anonymous said...

This city is a complete JOKE! Its obvious they don't care about the employees and what makes it worse is that there's nothing we the public can do about it. We have zero influence on the city and they will continue to do what they do. Ruining peoples lively hood as long as they get rich in the meantime, which is what matters. LW you disappoint me!

Anonymous said...

I hope this blog section helps them but why would the city really care about a choice few who comment on it. If they haven't cared in 8 years and now after a commision approves a raise then they make it so unfair for their union to accept it with stipulations do you really think they give a damn? No thats the answer. Lets enjoy the CM reign for the next 5 years sry employees. Its best to start looking for a new job bc the city isnt just going to wake up and start caring. They haven't then and obviously dont now