We only get paid once per month, so the pay check that is issued on Aug 1 is for the entire month of July.
The battle rages on in the courts as to whether the Gov can legally pay us only minimum wage. John Chiang, the controller says it cannot be done, legally or otherwise. The antiquated system does not allow him the possibility of changing the checks. Chaing is fighting for us to get paid, in full and on time.
If we do get minimum wage, we will get the balance of the money due to us once the budget is passed. But it won't be right away. It is said that it can take 6 months before we are fully paid.
This does not save the state any money, since it will cost the state money in hours paid to staff to change the payroll structure and again to change it back. They would also be held to pay us interest on the money due to us.
Not to mention the effect it would have in 200,000 Californians not having any money to pay bills let alone the extras to fuel the economy.
Don't think for a moment that this tactic by the Governor is anything less than punitive. There are some 20+ unions in the State service. Six of these unions have agreed to the deep cuts that the Governor wanted. These 6 unions will be exempt from the minimum wage order. Is this extortion or what? How can the Governor state that he is following a law that says when there is no budget then minimum wage is to be paid and exempt a group only because they agreed to his demands?
Imagine what you would feel like if your paycheck were reduced to nothing. Once my standard deductions are taken out of my check, I will literally have no paycheck. Funny how wealthy people forget what it is like to depend on a paycheck.
There is no morale left with anyone I know who works for the state. I have gotten to the point of not caring if my work gets done. It will, eventually, but I am in no hurry to do anything more than what I must do. I think State employees have been kicked around enough.
On Friday, the judge will announce his decision on this court battle between Scharzenegger and Chiang. Luckily, we have a Controller who wants to do what is right for State Workers. At least he has a heart. No wonder State employees love him!
That sounds pretty rotten. Are all the excecutives in government likewise taking paycuts? I'm not so bothered by pay received by regular state, county, and city workers-- that all seems reasonable. I do get disturbed when I hear stories like the city manager in the City of Bell receiving $800,000 a year. It is beyond me why anyone working for government should ever be making over $200,000 per year and even that is pretty generous. Personally, I'm sick of certain officials making big bugs on the backs of the taxpayers. Heck, $150,000 per year and a reasonable expense account sounds plenty fair to me. Government in the U.S. has gotten pretty screwed up if you ask me. And they want to take the people that make up the backbone of government and reduce them to minimum wage until the state gets its act together?
ReplyDeleteBullshwarz I say.
Lee
Tossing It Out
Hi, all this stuff is so incredible and unfair seen from France; I am very sorry for you. I cross my fingers for you and your coworkers to get what you deserve.
ReplyDeleteBugs