Comptroller Mychajliw's Opposition to a $12,453 Raise

April 24^th, 2013

Re:  $12,453 raise for one employee 

Dear Honorable Legislators: 

It has come to our attention that the administration is requesting that your Honorable Body approve a $12,453 raise for a Managerial Confidential (MC) employee in the office of The Division of Budget and Management (Budget).  This represents a 22.5% raise for one appointed worker. 

Many of our hard working union employees have not received a pay increase since 2006.  Some were recently offered a new contract.  Even when you combine multiple years of the proposed salary increases in the most recent CSEA contract offer; the combined total still falls short of a 22.5% raise for one appointed employee: 

The Division of Budget and Management employee currently works in their respective office as a “Grade 12-5” Managerial Confidential position earning a salary of $55,305.  According to Resolution #6 E-10 before your Honorable Body, your would be approving a $12,453 raise for one worker:

The language in the proposed budget resolution leads us to believe that the administration makes the argument that the employee in question may leave county employment if they do not receive this 22.5%, $12,453 raise:

Consequences of Negative Action

The Division of Budget and Management risks losing the services of the employee in the management consultant position

Source: Resolution #6 E-10

In the same respect that the families we serve are doing more with less during these tough economic times, Erie County government must be expected to do the same.  If the employee in question wishes to pursue employment in the private sector and will leave if not given a $12,453 raise, then we would thank them for their service, wish them well, and proceed to publicly post the current position at a salary of $55,305.

According to recently released statistics there are 53,000 people in the Buffalo-Niagara region who are unemployed and looking for gainful employment.

Source: “Unemployment Numbers Remain Above Nine Percent,” Rachel Elzufon, WKBW.com

With unemployment hovering close to nine-percent in our region we would not be in short supply of finding job seekers who would apply for this well paid position.

The decision whether or not the one employee receives a 22.5% raise in the amount of $12,453 is entirely up to your Honorable Body.  I would strongly recommend you reconsider approving the proposed 22.5% raise for one appointed employee.  If you decide an increase in pay is a reasonable request, it should fall in line with what our union employees were offered in the latest CSEA contract.

Thank you very much for your consideration.

Sincerely yours,

Cc: Joan Bender, CSEA President

Click here to read Comptroller Mychajliw's letter to the Erie County Legislature