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"The issue is this: The city said the money is in the budget for the
raises, but it wants workers, who have been working without a contract
since October, to opt into the city’s 30-year retirement program, a move
that would force some workers to forfeit more lucrative benefits they
can earn in the 20-year plan they say they’re in now."
Click here to read the Palm Beach Post article.
56 comments:
The Truth hit the papers! Now the public can see whats really going on.
The IBEW employees make around $30/hr and PEU starts off around $8 so its pretty obvious why the IBEW would sign their 30 year contract since they are making alot anyway and could easily transfer to FPL which most do. Yet another black eye on shady offers from LW. =/
Looking at the smug look on the CM face and reading the raises they got are you kidding me, I can't imagine there is any loyalty with employees. The Electric department most of the lineman leave as do the substation employees so what do they care they go to FPL or contractors and make more money with better benefits once we get them trained. This folks is a joke and a shame how are city is managed. The directors only care about how they look and spit on the employee. I have heard the HR Director herself say that in so many words. Say good bye to loyalty and can you blame us.
Maybe the article will shock them since their dirty secret is out. I hope it helps the employees. Most of the employees ive spoken with all love what they do just not the management that governs them. Its a great job with a bad company they say
Oh damn all hells going to break lose on Monday for the employee's :( For the ones who spoke up to get the word out, good on you. Thank you.
It will be interesting to read what Mr. Bornstein writes on the Lake Worth website for a rebutle. The paper can only post facts therefore intense research is required. Im pleased this article was written. Hopefully it will give the employees hope that a brighter day is around the corner now that the light has been shinned over the darkness thats been eating away at employee moral & retention.
"You can brush the dirt under a rug for awhile but eventually it will spill out the sides." You better hurry up Glen & Bornstein and start back tracking to save the face of the city because after reading this article im sure the public wont be patting you on the back anytime soon. The words out! How can Bornstien even lead the city into the future without his troops behind him. Just like what was said how could you look an employee in the face when you except raises for yourself and Department Heads yet tell your people theres no money for you unless you vote away your future. Great Leadership guys.
In his statement "rich benefits are a thing of the past" : what a bold statement from a man who i highly doubt will put in 30 years anyway but yet he acts as if he can relate to a staff member. What a joke CM is!!!!
Why does a raise have to be negotiated if the commission voted to give the employees a 4%? Just give them their raise already!
It's not the raise; it's the union contract.
The reason the 4% raise has to be negotiated 10:37 is because it's part of a 3 year contract and the offer is for only 1 year with a MAYBE raise for the remaining 2 years. A lot of ifs, Also think about the percentage the CM, HR Dir and the other Dir got compared to their previous income way over 4%. Come on people now add in a new salary for the Metering Manager $15K, the New Asst Utility Dir $10K and then you say you don't have money for raises. I guess that alone would explain the discontent of the us employees. Also then we deal with the constant change over in personnel and all the lies that our leadership tells us. Folks you can not believe the crap that comes out of the mouths of our leadership
Well employees if you don't like it then leave already, you know Management doesn't care
Who is the "new" assistant utility director? What is his salary?
I believe the new asst dir is in the elect utility Gill and he started that new position last summer from a dispatcher position, he agreed with all the stuff the CM wanted to do (lighting, Voltage Change, Generation) so the other 2 were let go, He is your yes man
It is nice to know that some of the employees see Mr Gill for what he really is, an ass kissing fraud. He also has the full support of the HR Director, between her and the CM they have chosen to have the utility directed by individuals with no experience but first rate sycophants
I have been reading the comments on this article people have posted on Lake Worth Local & Lake Worth Voice. Some people namely Ben Ellis is actually on the citys side and believes that the employees deserve nothing and the CM is completely justified is his actions. These are the people that infuriate the competent people who believe in equality. Regardless of what someones profession is everyone deserves a opportunity for a fair work place. His message implies a lowly plumber deserves nothing yet a highly placed CM has a right to raises.
Whats fair is fair and what is not is not. Even if they want to change it to 30 and collect at 62 at least give the people who SIGNED in under the old contract and invested years of their lives the contract they signed up for and not illegally remove it. I feeo for those people who vested their lives in the city only to have it changed by a smug politician who graciously accepted his raise while saying times are hard and the employees need to change with the times. He is a POS, sorry for the language Lynn but this is unjust
Well then Mr. Ellis get off your ass and go to work for the City and put up with it from an employee POV if you think all is so good no doubt there will be plenty of opportunities for employment. Yes Walt Gill was very active in getting people fired and still is. When I talk to people who have left or forced to leave they all say that leaving was the best move they could do and are so happy now and feel appreciated by their new employers.
I "defriended" Lake Worth Voice a long time ago. Could not tolerate the one-sided discussions by those who are 100% against debate and only like the sound of their own voices. They were just plain nasty. Not my kind of people. Community Facebook pages should be open to different views without hostility.
You should post in Positively Lake Worth or Lake Worth Community. The people are not "company men" and are more friendly towards debate.
We definitely have alot of unhappy employees
I'm not sure who the two that 8:32 is referring to. There have been so many who have left by choice or otherwise that you need a scorecard to keep track of the revolving door.
You should read what Jordon posted on the actual article on the Palm Beach Post, powerful statement.
What is interesting is that some people actually stand with the city. I understand both parties need to compromise but from the looks of it the city is unwilling to do so. This needs to be discussed by a non bios outside arbitrator to be fair. If the city actually valued the employees I doubt it would have gone this far. Im sure Monday will be a interesting day for the city... Meetings galor! I just hope those ballsy brave employees that spoke out against corruption don't get fired, if so I can see a lawsuit happening.
Lynn, what do you think will come out of this article if anything?
Good luck getting re-elected mayor & commissioners! So is this how they operate vote it in and forgot about it? Great leaders and community representatives we have here. Andy in particular I would have expected more from you... Shame...
Vote NO on the proposed contract & Vote NO one the re-election of our current officials.
If the commission is going to vote in competitive salaries for the City Manager and Department Heads to be on par with surrounding cities why not do the same for a employee? For as Lake Worth Lifeguards are the lowest paid in the county. I guess that survey that the city has done on comparative salaries every year is just a waste our tax payer money since they don't actually consider matching it. 4% is a joke, granted it's something but it won't bring the pay up to meet other cities so how does the city plan to retain employees? On ya that's right they don't care too...
In response to individual salaries. Yes a entry level position should not make as much as a city manager which has higher qualifications needed. But what the city is doing is wrong. Everyone matters and until the City realizes this how can we as a community hope to tackle the problems that have plagued our town? Treat your people right and this city will turn more in a positive direction. Elect leaders not politicians who can spout a good meal, easy to chew and eat but a nightmare to digest. I see a bunch of fake beauricrats not leaders. History has taught us that leaders inspire their troops to win battles and cowards hide behind their troops. We have a bunch of cowardly fools running this city. It's sad because I love lake Worth and it could be something so much greater than what it is.
11:34--to answer your question--it will get attention but the issue will go to mediation because it appears that neither side will back down. They are at a standstill.
Lynn,
Mediation is probably the best route. But can someone who legally signed in under a certain contract and worked for years under that just have it forced out? Doesnt really seem legit. I understand if they want to change it but can they just force someone out of their agreement? If so whats the point if security in the city as well as trust in your future.
Good question to ask your union rep. I have no idea of what's in the contract. Do you have a copy of it?
Oh snap, get ready for some firings. I bet any employee who spoke to the press will be forced out by some legal manoeuvring. Mr. Torcivia maybe a snake but hes a viper with the law and im sure could conjure up something. Good on the employees who chose to speak up against injustice. Dont worry we the majority of the community have your backs since our own commission doesnt.
You just have to love the look on the CM face in the article. Its that oh hi im here to take everything from you but hey thanks for being such a great asset to the LW Team =) have a great day
Our city puts up such a pleasant front to us. Its nice to know what plays out behind the doors of city hall
Employees who stand up to the CM or HR Dir usually are gone just ask the previous electric Utility Dir and Manager who really cared for how we spent $, listened to employees and citizens concerns and stood by their beliefs now they are gone. Look out folks I wish I could say something publicly but need my job until I can get on with FPL
There it is ladies & gentlemen, prime example. No one considers Lake Worth a career city its a great city to jump into, get some experience then move on to a place where you can make a career out of your chosen profession in place that values you. We understand employees cannot give their names for fear of firing. Just look what happened to the employee who filed a ethical complaint over a electric turn-on of a non-paid utility bill on the mayor. He was placed on administrative leave, thankfully he was not fired.
Joel is one of my absolute favorite employees. He is a gem!
Thats right Joel, he's a good man and became tired of the shady favors and tried to make a stand and almost forfeited his career to do so. No one is above the rules. I myself am a employee. I love my job and what I do for this city and it kills me to have seen so many friends / co-workers leave bc the truth is Lake Worth is just pit stop on a way to career position somewhere else. I am hanging on hoping this place can once again become the place I truly enjoyed to work for when I first signed on. Us employees can only say so much but the United Voice of the Public could move mountains. Carrying louder than we could ever could. Even in the article some employees dared to speak out. Please dont let their words fall on deaf ears. Please help us.
lake worth needs a reality check *
I agree Lynn with your assessment of Joel he is a good man but he also benefited from the raise increase when promoted to manager without any added responsibilities. It's the Asst Director who made out like a fat cat and is one dangerous man with his ties to the HR Director. Someone should check his file as you might be surprised of his past doings within the city if it hasn't been scrubbed. I have been here long enough to know about that. Fortunately for the city the employees can't strike but a sit down/slow down might do the trick. The leader of the union is your power plant manager and his secretary so good place to start. This is such a shame to have our city go through this and all the hate and discontent.
If they strike they will be fired, that i know is in the contract
Its about time City Halls dirty laundry was aired out. It was only a matter of time. the employees have had a enough and now the public can have a taste of what the staff is going through. Why go above n' beyond ones duties in a place that only wants to hold you down? There is a reason lake worth is nicknamed "lakeworthless"
Unfortunately about all of this is under a recent federal law that allows multiemployer pension plans to temporarily or permanently cut distributions if they can prove they're in danger of running out of money within 15 to 20 years. That is most likely what's going on. Our plans have an unbelievable unfunded balance.
I completely understand about changing it to 30 years but for those employees whove already put a decade or more of time its wrong to force them to work extra 10 years or so. Thats not fair and heartbreaking to hear that this is going on, these are peoples lives were talking about! Also if the city is running out of money then where is the City manager finding funds to increase the pay for himself and his managers? Something just doesn't add up...
This is a tough issue, many cities and towns are going bankrupt due to promised pension and retirement benefit costs. We are not the only City struggling with this issue. And while I don't care for the CM, he is right that we cannot afford rich benefits. The question we have to ask ourselves is how much of 100 dollars in tax payer money should go to current services and current personnel costs and how much should go to pension costs and past personnel. Should 50 dollars go to current services or should 75 dollars go to current services? This is what we have to decide as a city, and yes that means less in pension for current employees due to the fact that we likely made some promises that we can't afford to keep.
A promise is a promise. You cant just uproot someones life after over a decade of devoted service. Change it moving forward but it has to be illegal to force a employee out of a contract they began working in
This city's new motto should be: "WELCOME TO LAKE WORTH WHERE PROMISES ARE BROKEN AND FUTURES ARE SHATTERED" I just picked up the paper. this article made the front page of the local section. maybe now a fire will be lit under the seats of our "leaders" in city hall to take action
Does the original contract go on forever?
The way it works is. For all those employees prior to 2010 they joined the city during the 20 year pension. The union is willing to ratify a contract for anyone after 2010 into the 30 year plan but wants the people who enlisted at the time of the 20 to keep there benefits. Its the right thing to do. The union is willing to compromise but not comprimise on mistreatment and forced dealings with this city who blatantly shows no care for its workers.
Promises don't go on forever, the city can file for bankruptcy. Then the former employees get a lot less, that is what is happening in many cities and towns. Its not pretty but when you are operating in the red, as we are, personnel costs are some of the biggest ones.
No one in private industry retires after 20 years with full pension, it is crazy that municipalities continue to make these promises as they are unsustainable and in the end the employees will get screwed b/c these payments will be force reduced. 20 years of service to qualify for pension is fine, but then you can't collect until you hit normal retirement age (i.e. 65). Anything sooner than that means that cities are paying pension costs for 30-40 years longer than the actual years of service. If you start work at age 25 and retire at 45 then you will have received 20 years of pension by the time you hit 65 and then it continues on for another 20 years past years of service.
Do you want to keep your unsustainable promises to retired employees, provide real wages to current employees, provide services to tax payers? At this point you can't do all three with the funds we have.
@3:29...that should be a reality check.
Either way the city cannot change a pension plan midstream for an employee who signed in under the 20 prior to 2010, its illegal. But anyone after 2010 knowlingly agreed to the 30 year and collect at 62 which the union agrees with. Its a comprimise and the city doesnt want to negotiate thats why when the vote ends up as a NO it will go to outside arbitration
To everyone posting negatively... Honestly how would you feel if you workes at a job for 15 years, 5 years away from your contracted retirement, then be forced to work an extra 10 years? Then have people who have no idea what you've gone through in those years post comments saying how it your promisee future that you've worked towards doesnt matter.. Put yourself in the employees shoes for a change.. Just a thought.
THE RESULTS ARE IN FROM TODAYS CONTRACT RATIFICATION VOTE:
65 - NO
5 - YES
You turned down the city's offer? Is that it?
Now what?
I would suggest Mr. Mulvay tells his people that even though we can't strike we sure can SLLOOOOWWWW way down. See how the directors and those non union people get the work done and the garbage picked up. Wonder how long residents would tolerate services slowing down or not happening. I find it funny that Wes doen't even mention this as he and his 3 stooges could care less and the CM just keeps on smiling.
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