Crazy. We need serious cuts to the civil service, not increases.

These “…could be the result…”? Shouldn’t somebody know the reason?

And precisely which services are you prepared to give up? I’m thinking Prince George Fire Rescue might come in handy.

Working for the City is a safe job (generally). These workers should not be entitled to high flying private sector wages.

Axman may have a point as I notice in the Citizen article that 61 individuals makes in excess of $100,000. That seems like a lot of people being paid that much in a town this size.

I agree with you Summit,

It was generally understood that civic and public employees were paid 10% less than the private sector, because of this job security. Now they have security and outrageous compensation.

75 grand? That is about 25% less than what I make. Looks like they need a raise IMO.
Its not the 1950’s anymore people…….

75k for a fireman for the job they do? Surely isn’t enough!

Posted by: NoWay on June 19 2014 8:40 AM
75k for a fireman for the job they do? Surely isn’t enough!

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I don’t think you read the story. Fireman make a heck of a lot more then 75K. There were 5 additions to the list of people making more then 75,000; the firemen were already on that list.

What’s really alarming is the 47 million dollars on city salaries.

75 grand really is not that much anrmore and this story really lacks information.

$75K is not the alarming figure. $47 million in City salaries per year is.

No more overtime to firemen, just let it burn.

On the overall scheme of things their pensions ought to be gangbusters too.

Posted by: seamut on June 19 2014 9:09 AM
75 grand really is not that much anrmore and this story really lacks information.

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For what the average city worker does, it’s way too much.

Posted by: seamut on June 19 2014 9:12 AM
No more overtime to firemen, just let it burn.

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Sigh. Firemen were already on the list prior to any overtime.

I am curious though, as to how many overtime hours there would be in the fire department? I can’t imagine it’s all that much really.

“For what the average city worker does, it’s way too much.”
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Knowing there’s a whole city full of self-appointed experts like yourself that they have to deal with on a daily basis and I’d say we’re getting a heck of a deal.

How come everybody else’s job looks easier?

fire service does need an overhaul and re-prioritization. Look beyond our own city boarders for examples where either volunteer staff is mingled within the service or the range of services provided by the fire fighters is expanded. Either option does not impact the overall performance of the service.

there’s a reason why everyone and their dog wants to be a fire fighter. early retirement, excellent benefits and good wages.

I was raised by a fire fighter…

They would gladly give this up for smaller office spaces and more resources after all its all about the taxpayers

So axeman can you define what the average city worker does. Just your facts.

Firefighters in this city definitely earn their salary. They don’t just attend fires ( which we have a fair amount of) they are the citys first responders attending accidents and medical situations.

They deserve their wages, early retirement is because 60+ year olds are not who I want running into a house to drag people out of danger.

Posted by: seamut on June 19 2014 10:45 AM
So axeman can you define what the average city worker does. Just your facts.

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Not a heck of a lot. I thought I already said that? All you have to do is watch them in (in)action. The shovels are well fed that’s for sure. If these people moved any slower they’d be walking backwards.

Posted by: Howrd_B_Stern on June 19 2014 9:46 AM
“For what the average city worker does, it’s way too much.”
—————————————

Knowing there’s a whole city full of self-appointed experts like yourself that they have to deal with on a daily basis and I’d say we’re getting a heck of a deal.

————

The 3 people standing beside the backhoe on 4th this morning don’t deal with the public on any day of the week. They don’t do much work either but some people (like yourself) seem to think that’s fine.

No wonder our taxes keep going up and up and up. Gotta keep that gravy train moving full speed ahead!

My dad used to own a backhoe service and sometimes you do sit around and watch. That’s the reality of the situation. You want to go balls to the wall and rip up all sorts of pipes and wires, go right ahead.

And yes, that is fine by me. I imagine if people saw your life on display they could criticize it to. I don’t make judgements as I drive by and come to a giant conclusion based on a 2 second glance. What great deductive powers you have.

By the way, that giant “S” on your chest is showing Superman. Aren’t you supposed to keep your identity hidden?

axman:

Seems regulations administered by Work Safe BC, WCB, and other coorperations require this many people on site to complete the required work. These are some of the reasons cost and time of work has risen over the past decade.

Posted by: Howrd_B_Stern on June 19 2014 11:32 AM
My dad used to own a backhoe service and sometimes you do sit around and watch. That’s the reality of the situation. You want to go balls to the wall and rip up all sorts of pipes and wires, go right ahead.

——

Ask your dad if he ever needed 6 people (including himself) to dig a hole.

1. Fire fighters wages compared to those in lower mainland. That is the issue. Too many fire fighters for a city of our size.

2. Contract out HR. We can use the 1 million plus in better ways.

3. Who sets the wages? If HR that’s a conflict. If independent then wage ratios need to be maintained. Union to managent to tax base.

4. Where are the job titles? Hard to be informed without them. Even harder to apply for the $100k ones if I don’t know what they do.

“4. Where are the job titles? Hard to be informed without them. Even harder to apply for the $100k ones if I don’t know what they do.”

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You can check out the 2012 salaries and expenses here:

http://www.vancouversun.com/news/public-sector-salaries/advanced-search.html

There are 234 making more than $75K and 631 making less than $75K.

I’d bet that most every firefighter is in the the first group and that the bulk of the remainder are either managers or professional type positions (legal, finance, etc.) that would demand at least $75K in the private sector for similar work.

There will be some exceptions for sure, but I highly doubt that the “average city worker” is making more than $75K. In fact, if you look at the numbers, they aren’t. 72% of them are making under $75K . . .

http://princegeorgejobs.prevueaps.ca/jobs/

Most of the stuff you’ll see on here requires pretty specialized skills, skills that you need to pay for . . .

If you include the cost of perks and benefits (instead of looking at just wages), you get a better picture of the true cost of having an army of City workers.

Posted by: NMG on June 19 2014 1:50 PM
http://princegeorgejobs.prevueaps.ca/jobs/

Most of the stuff you’ll see on here requires pretty specialized skills, skills that you need to pay for . . .

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I see a few jobs on that list that could be contracted out.

“If you include the cost of perks and benefits (instead of looking at just wages), you get a better picture of the true cost of having an army of City workers”

==================================

Yes, but you’d also have to factor those same things in for private sector workers in order to have a meaningful comparison as to whether the wages being offered by the city are reasonable, competitive, etc. If you are going down that road, then you have to make it apples to apples. There isn’t an employee anywhere that only costs what their base wage is.

“I see a few jobs on that list that could be contracted out”

================================

Certainly possible. It’s also possible that it would end up costing more to contract them out. It would depend on the situation.

$75k per year without overtime is $36.05 per hour based on 75000/52/40.
Most trades are around that if not more, what the heck is the problem here. These are working individuals constantly under public scrutiny because the wages are “tax payer” dollars. If you want good people running the city, there needs to be appropriate incentive.

Posted by: only2c on June 19 2014 3:29 PM
$75k per year without overtime is $36.05 per hour based on 75000/52/40.
Most trades are around that if not more, what the heck is the problem here. These are working individuals constantly under public scrutiny because the wages are “tax payer” dollars. If you want good people running the city, there needs to be appropriate incentive.

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I’m all for paying people what they’re worth but most city employees don’t do enough to warrant even half the money and benefits they get.

Leaning on a shovel takes skill. (balancing)

Axman: Just how would you know exactly what the ‘average’ city worker does in a day? Are you a former city employee with insider knowledge or just someone who has formed a biased opinion without all the facts?

It is now time to go and contract all the work at City hall , the private sector makes a whole lot less , with the same woking conditions and also a much smaller pension , it plain and simple to see that the Cities salaries have gotten completely out of control and we will soon be in the same position of Detroit going broke for over paid civil workers. Quit raising taxes and look at where we can save by reducing wages and benefits to the City workers.

DONT WORRY, GETTING RID OF GREEN WILL MAKE IT ALL BETTER