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Re: BART strike ehhh been there done that
Author: Q
Date: 06-29-2013 - 09:48
$80,000 is a bit overstated.
But then you probably got that from the media, and they got it from BART management - need I say more. The only BART people that hit 80 grand (not really that much in the Bay Area) are highly skilled technical people. Of course, the big shots (there are a lot of them) all get way more than that - same as in private industry. Most BART wages are in the 55-69 grand range (without overtime work).
What management fails to tell the media, and the lazy good for nothing media doesn't bother to check out; is that BART has successfully held down raises to near zero for the average worker, ever since well before the crash in 2007-2008. Add to that, requirements imposed in new California law that they now must make their own contributions to the mandatory BART retirement plan (BART is not covered by either social security or railroad retirement); rather than the employer paying it as part of total compensation. There is no such requirement for private industry in California - especially mandatory participation.
In BART's case, that is 7% of gross - right off the top - that is no longer part of their compensation package. In other words, a seven percent cut in compensation has already occurred by fiat. The unions are probably trying to recoup that, and partially catch up for all the years there were 0.0% raises. BART's allowing them to recoup that loss of benefits in the form of wages (adjusted for the fact that it is now taxable) will cost BART very little or nothing, above what they were already paying previously. They have little excuse for refusing.
Not doing such things - will soon cost all California municipal governments dearly! In that they will not be able to attract and keep good talent; which is the real reason employers (public and private) offer perks such a paid retirement in the first place - to keep good and seasoned employees. It ain't out of the goodness of their hearts!
Don't think so - some of my friends at BART have indicated that the brain drain has already started; as the turnover rate in various skilled area has already exploded during and since 2012. Leaving many openings, specialty professions in particular - unfilled. And that then forces the use of very expensive outside consultants, who often do not have BART's best interest in mind; or otherwise, eventual shutdown. I have also heard from friends in other areas of California - that this is happening in municipalities all over the State.
All because most Californians are so dumbed down anymore (especially the new generation) - that they don't know any better than to believe all the YELLOW JOURNALISM about public employees - and about many other issues as well.
But then you probably got that from the media, and they got it from BART management - need I say more. The only BART people that hit 80 grand (not really that much in the Bay Area) are highly skilled technical people. Of course, the big shots (there are a lot of them) all get way more than that - same as in private industry. Most BART wages are in the 55-69 grand range (without overtime work).
What management fails to tell the media, and the lazy good for nothing media doesn't bother to check out; is that BART has successfully held down raises to near zero for the average worker, ever since well before the crash in 2007-2008. Add to that, requirements imposed in new California law that they now must make their own contributions to the mandatory BART retirement plan (BART is not covered by either social security or railroad retirement); rather than the employer paying it as part of total compensation. There is no such requirement for private industry in California - especially mandatory participation.
In BART's case, that is 7% of gross - right off the top - that is no longer part of their compensation package. In other words, a seven percent cut in compensation has already occurred by fiat. The unions are probably trying to recoup that, and partially catch up for all the years there were 0.0% raises. BART's allowing them to recoup that loss of benefits in the form of wages (adjusted for the fact that it is now taxable) will cost BART very little or nothing, above what they were already paying previously. They have little excuse for refusing.
Not doing such things - will soon cost all California municipal governments dearly! In that they will not be able to attract and keep good talent; which is the real reason employers (public and private) offer perks such a paid retirement in the first place - to keep good and seasoned employees. It ain't out of the goodness of their hearts!
Don't think so - some of my friends at BART have indicated that the brain drain has already started; as the turnover rate in various skilled area has already exploded during and since 2012. Leaving many openings, specialty professions in particular - unfilled. And that then forces the use of very expensive outside consultants, who often do not have BART's best interest in mind; or otherwise, eventual shutdown. I have also heard from friends in other areas of California - that this is happening in municipalities all over the State.
All because most Californians are so dumbed down anymore (especially the new generation) - that they don't know any better than to believe all the YELLOW JOURNALISM about public employees - and about many other issues as well.
