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A DIFFERING VIEW
As a state employee, I had no idea how “good” we had it until I read the Rocky Mountain News’ recent editorial protesting Gov. Bill Ritter’s executive order giving unions an inroad to state government (“‘Partnership’ to the past,” Nov. 3).

Wow! Ninth highest paid, are we? How do you explain, then, the fact that more than 50 percent of newer employees quit within three years of hire? Denver’s cost of living is also nearly 10 percent higher than the average U.S. city, so maybe we still aren’t paid enough to make ends meet. And even the Department of Personnel admits that our benefits are currently 15 percent below market. The Rocky didn’t mention that.

I have mixed feelings about unionization, but it seems like any time politicians try to “help” state employees we end up suffering from “unintended” consequences. I think we need some voice, some way to be heard, because the high turnover among newer and younger workers should tell you that we don’t have it as cushy as the Rocky seems to think — and that high turnover will cost the taxpayers dearly in the long run.

Lisa Hakonson is a resident of Lakewood.

READER COMMENTS

I am all in favor of privatizing most government jobs so if that helps you figure it out then good. your benefits are better than any one has in the private sector especially your pera accounts.

While the PERA accounts are godd, they are very similar to many acounts in private industry, basically matching a % of an employees contributions. If you want the best benefits I suggest you become a CEO or corporate executive, you usually get several hundred million dollars for running your company into the ground ( ala Carly with HP as one example of many).

The turnover im sure isn't only because of pay; working for a government of any kind, state gov't included is so full of bureaucratic hoops that most people start looking for a job in the private sector as soon as their 3 month wait from the interview starts...

The unions will cost the taxpayer dearly in the future

yep the pera match is fantastic as you put in a max of 6% and get 13% out. now that is a match that I will never get in the private sector but I do get to pay for your match. no government body is set up to make money only loose it and raise taxes to make up for the loss.

It seems that everyone is an expert on being a state employee, Until you have been there, some persons dont have ANY room to speak. In the years I have worked for the state, and that has been over 10, I have seen a cost of living increase but alone to be that money taken plus more by an increase in health benefits and also there have been years that there have been NO COST OF LIVING INCREASE. PLEASE GET THE INFORMATION CORRECT BEFORE THINKING YOU HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS. Also what happened to the merit pay raises that the state started about 4 years ago, do you think the state has enough funding for it or can pay it, all of this has to go through the JBC and this is the Joint Budget Comm. do some research before you put information out.

Then find employment elsewhere!

Unions are only good if you're a coal miner - other that that a union is generally made of lazy, fat slack-abouts and crooks

Peter...are you saying the union leaders are just like the corporation heads?

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