Posted: 7/13/2015 11:05:27 AM EDT
And McAwful's immediate reaction? Spend it! And in a way that makes it a recurring expense - pay raises for all Commonwealth employees. 
How about returning the excess to the taxpayers or putting it in a rainy day fund instead? How I hate Democrats!!! |
|
For several years there was no raise for state employees. Health insurance costs went up, salary stayed the same. Take home pay went down. Everything got more expensive...gas, groceries, etc. Any time there is a raise, and let's face it 2% isn't much, the insurance cost raises again and eats that too. Also there is no step system where your pay will increase with time in service. The only way to get pay increases is to jump between jobs. Stability and loyalty are not rewarded or encouraged. Even when you jump jobs in the state system the most you can hope for is a ten percent increase...even when you take on a lot more responsibility. And don't bother worrying about how much the person made who vacated the open position you just got offered. Even when you are more qualified than they were your previous state salary will be used and you will be offered a ten percent raise to take the position. Whatever extra was budgeted for that position will be transferred to something else and you will be doing the same job for much less. And yes. I am a state employee. |
|
Quoted:
Welcome to the party. I assure you it's no different in the private sector, except we don't have that sweet VRS defined benefit plan. My wife went from a private group to the VA a couple years ago. I encouraged the move for several reasons, one of which was the retirement. We calculated what was contributed to her FERS benefit each year and it's impressive. Her friends still at private groups are all getting squeezed on health insurance too, big time. Their plans get crappier and more expensive each year, while we sit with Federal BC/BS. It's still funny to hear her friends bitch about their benefits, which are (even with the cuts) VASTLY superior to the private sector generally. |
|
Quoted: For several years there was no raise for state employees. Health insurance costs went up, salary stayed the same. Take home pay went down. Everything got more expensive...gas, groceries, etc. Any time there is a raise, and let's face it 2% isn't much, the insurance cost raises again and eats that too. Also there is no step system where your pay will increase with time in service. The only way to get pay increases is to jump between jobs. Stability and loyalty are not rewarded or encouraged. Even when you jump jobs in the state system the most you can hope for is a ten percent increase...even when you take on a lot more responsibility. And don't bother worrying about how much the person made who vacated the open position you just got offered. Even when you are more qualified than they were your previous state salary will be used and you will be offered a ten percent raise to take the position. Whatever extra was budgeted for that position will be transferred to something else and you will be doing the same job for much less. And yes. I am a state employee. |
|
Quoted:
Welcome to the party. I assure you it's no different in the private sector, except we don't have that sweet VRS defined benefit plan. I agree on that part... I also think we're all getting our collective butt's kicked but in different ways since the banks screwed us and our economy. snip |
|
Quoted:
For several years there was no raise for state employees. Health insurance costs went up, salary stayed the same. Take home pay went down. Everything got more expensive...gas, groceries, etc. Any time there is a raise, and let's face it 2% isn't much, the insurance cost raises again and eats that too. Also there is no step system where your pay will increase with time in service. The only way to get pay increases is to jump between jobs. Stability and loyalty are not rewarded or encouraged. Even when you jump jobs in the state system the most you can hope for is a ten percent increase...even when you take on a lot more responsibility. And don't bother worrying about how much the person made who vacated the open position you just got offered. Even when you are more qualified than they were your previous state salary will be used and you will be offered a ten percent raise to take the position. Whatever extra was budgeted for that position will be transferred to something else and you will be doing the same job for much less. And yes. I am a state employee. I'm feeling a little ignorant here. What percent of the health insurance cost do state employees pay? |
|
Quoted:
For several years there was no raise for state employees. Health insurance costs went up, salary stayed the same. Take home pay went down. Everything got more expensive...gas, groceries, etc. Any time there is a raise, and let's face it 2% isn't much, the insurance cost raises again and eats that too. Also there is no step system where your pay will increase with time in service. The only way to get pay increases is to jump between jobs. Stability and loyalty are not rewarded or encouraged. Even when you jump jobs in the state system the most you can hope for is a ten percent increase...even when you take on a lot more responsibility. And don't bother worrying about how much the person made who vacated the open position you just got offered. Even when you are more qualified than they were your previous state salary will be used and you will be offered a ten percent raise to take the position. Whatever extra was budgeted for that position will be transferred to something else and you will be doing the same job for much less. And yes. I am a state employee. In that immortal line "He chose poorly." You can always change jobs. |
|
Quoted:
For several years there was no raise for state employees. Health insurance costs went up, salary stayed the same. Take home pay went down. Everything got more expensive...gas, groceries, etc. Any time there is a raise, and let's face it 2% isn't much, the insurance cost raises again and eats that too. Also there is no step system where your pay will increase with time in service. The only way to get pay increases is to jump between jobs. Stability and loyalty are not rewarded or encouraged. Even when you jump jobs in the state system the most you can hope for is a ten percent increase...even when you take on a lot more responsibility. And don't bother worrying about how much the person made who vacated the open position you just got offered. Even when you are more qualified than they were your previous state salary will be used and you will be offered a ten percent raise to take the position. Whatever extra was budgeted for that position will be transferred to something else and you will be doing the same job for much less. And yes. I am a state employee. I was a state/local employee during this timeframe... 3 years of no pay raise while everything else went up. |
|
Quoted:
Welcome to the party. I assure you it's no different in the private sector, except we don't have that sweet VRS defined benefit plan. Really? 
At full retirement (age 50 with 30 years service) it still costs about $750.00 a month for a DOC retiree and spouse. It cost so much when I retired that I went to my wide's insurance and opted-out of VRS insurance. Hell it would not have been worth me retiring money wise if I had to pay our insurance out of my retirement stipend. I'm long retired but I'd not mind some of that that surplus going toward essential state employees. DOC/VSP rank and file are grossly under-paid. Trouble is they will pay the ass-hats that sit in some office in Richmond awaiting their next smoke-break too. 
|
|
Quoted:
In that immortal line "He chose poorly." You can always change jobs. Quoted:
Quoted:
For several years there was no raise for state employees. Health insurance costs went up, salary stayed the same. Take home pay went down. Everything got more expensive...gas, groceries, etc. Any time there is a raise, and let's face it 2% isn't much, the insurance cost raises again and eats that too. Also there is no step system where your pay will increase with time in service. The only way to get pay increases is to jump between jobs. Stability and loyalty are not rewarded or encouraged. Even when you jump jobs in the state system the most you can hope for is a ten percent increase...even when you take on a lot more responsibility. And don't bother worrying about how much the person made who vacated the open position you just got offered. Even when you are more qualified than they were your previous state salary will be used and you will be offered a ten percent raise to take the position. Whatever extra was budgeted for that position will be transferred to something else and you will be doing the same job for much less. And yes. I am a state employee. In that immortal line "He chose poorly." You can always change jobs. I actually chose well. I am lucky to have a good job. Especially since I am kind of tethered to this area. There aren't many options here. I've worked hard and bounced my way up the chain. The only reason I make what I do now is because I moved internally a lot. In fact I moved so quickly that I basically got fucked out of pay increases on two positions because I "moved up to quick". Fuck you HR.  Most people in comparable positions in other agencies make much more than me. It chaps my ass a little, but I'll live with it.
What is terrible is the pay earned by line staff in my field. The shit they put up with is ridiculous and they are underpaid. They definitely deserve the raise. However, like someone said above, the desk riders in Richmond will get a raise too. They don't do shit, but they will add to their already impressive salaries. |
|
Quoted:
I actually chose well. I am lucky to have a good job. Especially since I am kind of tethered to this area. There aren't many options here. I've worked hard and bounced my way up the chain. The only reason I make what I do now is because I moved internally a lot. In fact I moved so quickly that I basically got fucked out of pay increases on two positions because I "moved up to quick". Fuck you HR. Most people in comparable positions in other agencies make much more than me. It chaps my ass a little, but I'll live with it.
What is terrible is the pay earned by line staff in my field. The shit they put up with is ridiculous and they are underpaid. They definitely deserve the raise. However, like someone said above, the desk riders in Richmond will get a raise too. They don't do shit, but they will add to their already impressive salaries. Quoted:
Quoted:
Quoted:
For several years there was no raise for state employees. Health insurance costs went up, salary stayed the same. Take home pay went down. Everything got more expensive...gas, groceries, etc. Any time there is a raise, and let's face it 2% isn't much, the insurance cost raises again and eats that too. Also there is no step system where your pay will increase with time in service. The only way to get pay increases is to jump between jobs. Stability and loyalty are not rewarded or encouraged. Even when you jump jobs in the state system the most you can hope for is a ten percent increase...even when you take on a lot more responsibility. And don't bother worrying about how much the person made who vacated the open position you just got offered. Even when you are more qualified than they were your previous state salary will be used and you will be offered a ten percent raise to take the position. Whatever extra was budgeted for that position will be transferred to something else and you will be doing the same job for much less. And yes. I am a state employee. In that immortal line "He chose poorly." You can always change jobs. I actually chose well. I am lucky to have a good job. Especially since I am kind of tethered to this area. There aren't many options here. I've worked hard and bounced my way up the chain. The only reason I make what I do now is because I moved internally a lot. In fact I moved so quickly that I basically got fucked out of pay increases on two positions because I "moved up to quick". Fuck you HR. Most people in comparable positions in other agencies make much more than me. It chaps my ass a little, but I'll live with it.
What is terrible is the pay earned by line staff in my field. The shit they put up with is ridiculous and they are underpaid. They definitely deserve the raise. However, like someone said above, the desk riders in Richmond will get a raise too. They don't do shit, but they will add to their already impressive salaries. Hell DOC went five years in the 80s with no raise and no OT. I had to quit. I worked for Dupont long enough (hated it) to pay for another house (I hit the boom just right so my first house paid for my second free and clear) so I went back to DOC and finished out my 30 there. I never took my retirement money out after the first go-round. |
|
Quoted:
Really?
At full retirement (age 50 with 30 years service) it still costs about $750.00 a month for a DOC retiree and spouse. It cost so much when I retired that I went to my wide's insurance and opted-out of VRS insurance. Hell it would not have been worth me retiring money wise if I had to pay our insurance out of my retirement stipend. I'm long retired but I'd not mind some of that that surplus going toward essential state employees. DOC/VSP rank and file are grossly under-paid. Trouble is they will pay the ass-hats that sit in some office in Richmond awaiting their next smoke-break too.
Quoted:
Quoted:
Welcome to the party. I assure you it's no different in the private sector, except we don't have that sweet VRS defined benefit plan. Really?
At full retirement (age 50 with 30 years service) it still costs about $750.00 a month for a DOC retiree and spouse. It cost so much when I retired that I went to my wide's insurance and opted-out of VRS insurance. Hell it would not have been worth me retiring money wise if I had to pay our insurance out of my retirement stipend. I'm long retired but I'd not mind some of that that surplus going toward essential state employees. DOC/VSP rank and file are grossly under-paid. Trouble is they will pay the ass-hats that sit in some office in Richmond awaiting their next smoke-break too.
I think you guys are confusing retiree health insurance with the funded retirement paycheck. That pension check thing has been unheard of in the private sector since about the 60s. Want to retire - save for it yourself. |
|
Quoted:
For several years there was no raise for state employees. Health insurance costs went up, salary stayed the same. Take home pay went down. Everything got more expensive...gas, groceries, etc. Any time there is a raise, and let's face it 2% isn't much, the insurance cost raises again and eats that too. Also there is no step system where your pay will increase with time in service. The only way to get pay increases is to jump between jobs. Stability and loyalty are not rewarded or encouraged. Even when you jump jobs in the state system the most you can hope for is a ten percent increase...even when you take on a lot more responsibility. And don't bother worrying about how much the person made who vacated the open position you just got offered. Even when you are more qualified than they were your previous state salary will be used and you will be offered a ten percent raise to take the position. Whatever extra was budgeted for that position will be transferred to something else and you will be doing the same job for much less. And yes. I am a state employee. Quoted:
For several years there was no raise for state employees. Health insurance costs went up, salary stayed the same. Take home pay went down. Everything got more expensive...gas, groceries, etc. Any time there is a raise, and let's face it 2% isn't much, the insurance cost raises again and eats that too. Also there is no step system where your pay will increase with time in service. The only way to get pay increases is to jump between jobs. Stability and loyalty are not rewarded or encouraged. Even when you jump jobs in the state system the most you can hope for is a ten percent increase...even when you take on a lot more responsibility. And don't bother worrying about how much the person made who vacated the open position you just got offered. Even when you are more qualified than they were your previous state salary will be used and you will be offered a ten percent raise to take the position. Whatever extra was budgeted for that position will be transferred to something else and you will be doing the same job for much less. And yes. I am a state employee. Hits the nail on the head... How about returning the excess to the taxpayers..... I would venture a guess and say that a vast majority of state employees are VA taxpayers.. |
|
Quoted:
They don't do shit, but they will add to their already impressive salaries. I beg to differ on both counts. My salary is far from impressive and yes, I do ride a desk all day. I ride a desk all day to perform the functions of my position which result in the protection of assets and personal information for all state residents. Admittedly, there are some lazy phucks working for the state. |
|
Quoted:
I beg to differ on both counts. My salary is far from impressive and yes, I do ride a desk all day. I ride a desk all day to perform the functions of my position which result in the protection of assets and personal information for all state residents. Admittedly, there are some lazy phucks working for the state. Quoted:
Quoted:
They don't do shit, but they will add to their already impressive salaries. I beg to differ on both counts. My salary is far from impressive and yes, I do ride a desk all day. I ride a desk all day to perform the functions of my position which result in the protection of assets and personal information for all state residents. Admittedly, there are some lazy phucks working for the state. Back in the day of paper pay-checks I was tasked to go to Richmond (usually on a Friday) and pick them up and deliver them to the various prisons in my region. It looked like a ghost town in the offices. As soon as the office weenies would earn eight hours of vac/sick leave they would take Friday off or call-in sick. The way I see it if your position is deemed essential those are the positions that should get a raise first. |