County Employees Ask Freeholders For Better Raise
Employees pack freeholder meeting over unresolved contract
Photos
Saying their members are struggling to pay their mortgages and feed their families, county employees asked the Ocean County Board of Freeholders to give them "a fair raise," at the freeholders' meeting in Toms River on Wednesday.
"This is a great county to live in," said Tom Weipz of Bayville, a member of the contract negotiating team for the Communication Workers of America Local 1038, which represents employees in the county's parks, security and roads departments. "We all work hard. But we have members who are falling behind on their mortgages. We have members who are working two and even three jobs.
"We're here to ask for a raise. Not an astronomical amount, but a fair raise," Weipz said.
The contract with the union, which represents 450 county employees, expired March 31, 2011, county administrator Carl Block said. A contract proposal was voted on and rejected by the union's members, and is now in the fact-finding stages, Block said. The fact-finder is set to meet with representatives of the union and the county on Oct. 31, he said.
The county has offered a raise of 1.5 percent per year for three years, but Bob Baxter, a shop steward in the security department, said that raise amounts to 25 cents per hour, while at the same time employees are being asked to make significant give-backs on health insurance and other benefits.
"We know the economy is bad," Baxter said, but county employees are going backward financially, he and others said.
Shawn Ludwig, local bargaining unit vice president with CWA, said the employees "understand the economic conditions.
"We're not looking for a big fight," Ludwig said. "Take a look at these men and women who serve the county proudly. We're stuck at a number that doesn't work for anyone."
The freeholders replied with praise for the work and the commitment of the employees, but noted the economic situation combined with the state-imposed 2 percent cap on budget growth has put the county between a rock and a hard place.
"We are struggling with these issues," Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little said.
Freeholder John Bartlett, liaison to the parks department, noted that while the 1.5 percent offered was modest, it was the same amount agreed to by the county's other unions.
Bartlett also said even a small increase for county employees draws the ire of taxpayers.
Some people have criticized county officials, Bartlett said, for choosing to reduce the workforce through attrition rather than layoffs.
"We've cut 200 jobs," Bartlett said, "but I have had people ask me, 'How many did you fire?' When I said none, the response was, 'then you didn't cut jobs.' "
"So, yes, you haven’t been offered a generous contract," Bartlett said. "We don’t have the money to do that. ... Many of you if not all of you have gone backward in your take-home pay. But you have the commitment from this board of freeholders that you will have a job tomorrow and that paycheck won't bounce."
After the meeting, Block said the 2 percent cap is a serious constraint, noting that if the county were to give every employee a 2 percent raise, it doesn't leave much if any room for other areas of the budget to increase.
"Gas prices this year are a great example," he said.
The decline in property values in the county has cost it $10 billion in ratables, which negatively impacts revenue from property taxes, Block said, and that money doesn't get replaced. Lost revenue makes it difficult to afford to do anything, he said.
"They have a hard job and we know that," Weipz said after the meeting.
"This is just about trying to get working-class people a little more money," Ludwig said.
Chief Wahoo
9:40 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
The systemic problems cannot be fixed. Better be prepared for the collapse
former
10:20 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
hi
I am wondering why what i had to say wasn't posted with this article. I think being fired after getting hurt on the job that has left me disabled is something to ask questions about. they think that they can just throw me away, i have two young kids and it isn't fair that they have to suffer because of the wrong they are doing. people need to know what they have done.
thanks dave
Karen Wall
12:29 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Hi Dave,
Your story is a separate issue. I would be glad to talk with you separately. You can email me directly at karenfishes66@gmail.com.
Karen
former
10:34 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
hi again
i just wanted to point out a fact that the freeholders said many times. they said that they haven't fired anyone, which is a lie being they fired me on may 16, 2011. Because i was unable to return to work because my injurys were keeping me from doing so. i feel that people are afraid to ask them questions about what they have done.. government or not they are human like the rest of us, if they did something wrong then we should ask them why since they claim to care about their workers...I am wondering were the family of ocean county they claim to be does injuried and or work related disability fits in the family or do we just get thrown away like a broken toy.We need to stand up to them thanks again
Mike
7:37 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
"A Resident" --- It is a violation of the law to fire someone due to an on the job injury IF it is under a Workers Comp claim. It sounds like "former" needs to consult a Workers Comp attorney.
A Resident
9:09 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Sorry, deleted the wrong post this morning....I had replied to Mike before seeing the post further down by former explaining the situation further...
former
9:41 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
To "A Resident" in regards to your comment saying that you did not get the impression that my injuries were "work related", and that the county of ocean wouldn't be foolish enough to disregard the laws-----They actually are foolish enough to ignore the laws because they think the laws do not apply to them. You do not know all the facts to what is going on because they do not want people to know the truth!!! I have ACTUAL documentation proving that they are not doing what is right. They were ordered by a workers comp judge to start treatment and pay, but they are not in compliance with the court order. They even admit it on their own termination paperwork that I am unable to return to work because I sustained an on the job injury, and then they deny/lie about it in workers comp court just so they won't have to provide medical treatment and pay to me. Go ahead and keep thinking that the county would never do such a foolish thing as to break the laws, WELL think again, because it is the truth. And to further prove my point... what about all the politicians that end up getting charged with corruption. Just because my employer is the County of Ocean does not mean that they are almighty and does not mean that they don't break the laws!!The fact is, they just haven't got caught yet! But trust me, I will continue to expose their wrongdoings until they do what is RIGHT!! I DESERVE JUSTICE!!! THE TRUTH WILL PREVAIL IN THE END!!
I have spoken
7:57 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
If I was you instead of whinning on a blog I'd be sitting with a lawyer. They are in violation of the ADA and possibly many more acts.
I have spoken
7:59 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
PS...Don't hire an attorney "jack of all trades, master of none" get someone who deals exclusivley with employment law. Call Andy Dwyer in Newark.
former
8:22 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
who are you "guess who"?? someone I know in particular? either way I just wanted to say that I am not whining, I am just trying to expose what they are doing. Secondly, thank you for the lawyer information. Over a year ago when I was fighting the county at civil service hearings for them trying to terminate me, I would have loved to of haved an employment lawyer by my side, but without income, it makes it very hard to be able to pay an attorney that wants to be paid up front and by the hour...trust me I did call several. I do have a workers compensation attorney, but since the county is so good at getting away with things, and having people in their pockets if you know what I mean and having other elected officials do their dirty work, it has been a struggle with workers comp (I have dealt with fraudulent doctors that they have sent me to, they have also been fraudulent with medical reports, etc)...for those that don't believe this to be true, because you think the county wouldnt' break the laws, trust me they do it!!!!...they have even gotten away with not complying with a court order that stated they were required to start providing treatment and pay to me, but like I said, they are in non compliance of that court order, and now I am waiting on the next court date to see whats going to happen. So again, I am not whining, just trying to expose their wrong doings. they seem to care alot about their image, so maybe the exposure will "help" them decide to do the right thing.
former
8:46 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
And by the way, if there are any employment lawyers reading this, or someone that knows an employment lawyer, that would be willing to help me out, then it would be greatly appreciated. feel free to email me at dsj312@aol.com
sue L
10:45 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
welcome to the Obama world, ask around .. for those that still have jobs haven't got raises either... at least you'll have benefits & retirement
skizma
6:18 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
absolutely Sue! Now they know how we feel......
b paterson
11:20 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Well, ocean county hasnt learned about the "new math." Here in union county, the freeholders in exchange for 3 years of 0% raises gave the employees free healthcare benefits for life right past when medicare shold kick in. They did a study with the new math and even though the health impact will be $100 million dollars the 3 years of 0 totally off sets it. Didnt make a difference anyway because they have found so much free money here. They are above such mundane things such as democracy, math, laws and common sense, they are gods!
Without a single resident asking for it, the freeholders decided to build a shrine to their godliness right next the the parkway so all could see. It is the union county golf course clubhouse and costs $20 million. Come up to exit 141 to behold. Looks like an idian casino but dont be fooled, its a 45,000 sf 3 story cllubhouse/banquet facitliy/office building. They did not need anyone to ask they were able to make the decision theirselves based on so much free money.
Come, come to theunin county paradise, feast on the nectar of the union county gods and the free flowing money.
Ignore the fact that union county is first among the metropolitan area with 23% homes in foreclosure or mortgages under water. Who cares about the county being the 5th highest taxes our of 3000 counties in the nation. Our $600 million in debt is puny. Our half billion county budget is insufficiet to their dreams. Come, come here to live. Free money!
Tom
11:33 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
County employees join all the rest of the nj residents who can't afford to fee their families,pay their mortgage etc.... Be happy you have a job and benefits. The residents of this state can't afford to pay for all the county and state workers any longer... don't like the pay and benefits...get another job or join us who has no job. Stop being so greedy and only thinking about yourselves.
Tom
11:33 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
FEED their families...see above!
Laci
11:47 pm on Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Visit any WaWa at anytime of the day and you"ll find 2 guys with an empty dumptruck with 1 shovel hanging out of the tailgate, 7 till 4.
former
9:51 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
You are right, there are some county employee's that do not do the job they are paid to do, in fact, I have seen it myself....but like with anything else, do not let those "bad apples" give a bad name to the ones that actually do work hard.
skizma
6:18 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
welcome to the Obama world, ask around .. for those that still have jobs haven't got raises either... at least you'll have benefits & retirement. Agreed fully Sue! You said it all. I got $0 raise two years ago, and now a $20/week raise the past two years. Why, just WHY are they any different. WE pay them, if WE can't get more, neither can they. It is tough and we surely empathize. All county/state/government employees Remember that. WE aren't getting ANY MORE either! Thus we need a consistent, solid economy. We make more, YOU can get more. Trickle down effect good at work.
A. Nonie
3:30 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
just remember, public workers also pay property taxes, hence they contribute to their own salaries..
Bill Storm,
6:42 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Everybody wants bigger raises. How about those on social security, they only rate a 1.7% raise. 23 million people still not working, be glad you have a job.
former
7:21 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
We understand that they need to fill my empty position, but what I don't understand is why they just threw me away. There is accidental disability pension specifically for this reason and they are denying it to me. On the termination paperwork they specifically stated that I sustained an on the job injury and would not be able to return to work in the foreseeable future BUT then they tell workers comp that my injuries are not work related just so they don't have to provide medical treatment and pay. So how can they admit that the on the job injury is keeping me from returning to work to one entity but then say the complete opposite to another entity. I have been left with life altering medical problems because I was doing my job and then they threw me away. Im not sure your particular situation, but if you had a job, became disabled from an on the job injury and then your employer refused to give you the accidental disability pension that is specifically there for workers that are no longer able to return to work because of an on the job injury, how would you feel if your employer denied you of a pension you rightfully were entitled to?? So again it's not about the fact that they couldn't hold my position it's about the fact that they are just throwing me away without giving me the disability pension and the fact that they are refusing to provide medical treatment and pay for my on the job injuries that all employees are entitled to under the laws.
Mike
7:41 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
You need a workers comp attorney. Don't go at this alone!
KC
12:12 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Former - what these employers are getting away with these days is just horrific. I also lost a job along with 39 other people after the entire place shut down. They waited a few months and re-opened with an entirely new staff apart from a couple of managers. We weren't even given the option to negotiate or cut our salaries. We were just played. There is so much of it going on and the fact that people are so anti-union in the face of all this mistreatment just makes my head spin. I wish I would have had union protection working for those scabs. That gelding Q knows all about it he lives here in town along with one or two of the business owners. For the misery they caused a lot of people I hope they burn in hell. I am lucky I had a pension from a union job worked when I was younger and that I am close to social security age. Those people I worked with who are in the too old to hire, too young to retire age bracket are in a word - screwed. The lawyers are a pain in the a$$. They want to argue with you, not listen to you. They will spend an hour telling you why they won't take a case, but not give an hour pro-bono help. They are another whole trip. I became what I would characterize as disabled right after layoff with what I sincerely believe to be a work related repetive stress injury. I had surgery that didn't correct the problem, in fact made it worse. The system for disability is such a pain in the neck I refuse to even try to deal w/ it. I feel your pain. You have company.
Black Sheep
7:56 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
What a shame. The county sheriffs and corrections walk away with $5,000-$7,000 step increases each year and their salaries double in eight years-That's where all the money goes.
former
8:37 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
You are exactly right!!!! It is all the "higher" ups that are getting paid really well, while like one union member stated last night, the workers are the backbone of this county.... the workers deserve to be paid more, not the "higher ups"!!!!
ikidunot
8:21 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
"Money is tight" in this county if you're a regular employee looking for an increase in salary to make ends meet. But if you're a person at the top, the sky's the limit. Including double dippers like the Sheriff's office leaders.
former
8:43 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Exactly Right!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just like when I was at the hearing to fight against the termination, when I asked them, how was it fair that they were just throwing me away instead of giving me the accidental pension, and you know, the director of employee relations had the nerve to say to me, "well can't you go collect welfare". So basically, they would rather me live off of the system instead of giving me the accidental disability pension that is specifically there for when workers become injured so severely that they can no longer work. I am entitled to it, but they refuse to give it to me!!! They claim they care for the people and are there to help, but they are destroying my family financially because they refuse to take responsibility for my on the job injury that has left me with life altering medical problems!!!! They are wrong!!! My hope is for one day they stop collecting their high salaries and truly see how it is like to be a middle class person that only lives off of low salaries. I bet they wouldn't like it one bit!!!!
Jim
9:15 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
First, the freeholders must make sure that the political appointees, "dead wood", and just plain lazy no show jobs get fired, permanently. Clean house and make sure the county has only employees working and doing a good job. I am sure at least of third of the current employee listing, in all departments, can be eliminated. Then and only then consider salary reviews with a standard for cost of living raise and a separate merit raise for excellent performance. Just like the real world and the rest of us. Oh yes, and make sure that no county employee is double dipping.
If caught, they are fired from both.
Mac
8:28 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Jim, at least you are asking the freeholders to investigate something they have had a great deal of experience in throughout the years. Do you really think they might fire themselves?
Victor
9:18 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
The cops and the teachers seem to be doing ok in the raise department.
proud
9:27 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
The realproblem stems from the failed Civil Service system and home rule. If New Jersey doesn't make major reforms in these areas, a raise will not be an issue
brick2mom
9:38 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Are you kidding me...Cry me a river...
I can feel ya but just can't seem to reach
WMS826
10:04 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Abolish county government at all levels. Have the towns do the work. What is better managed, your small town or a large government like the county. Only people who care about the county are those who take from it so resistance will be lower than at the local level.
proud
12:18 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
I agree that less layers of Government should be part of an overhaul of taxpayer funded employment in New Jersey.
knarfie
10:42 am on Thursday, October 18, 2012
County jobs are political plums for friends and relatives of those connected to Vicari and company. Period
former
7:57 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
just so you know not all of us that got jobs and lost our jobs are based off who you konw. I got my job because i was skilled with the knowledge of the job requirments listed by civil service.. But yes some do know people and get the job that way and it isn't always right because they may not be skilled for that job....
KC
12:13 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Agreed!
Dee
12:00 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
So is the rest of the county struggling to pay their mortgage....until the country becomes productive again...stop whining...be glad you have jobs! And, if you are really not happy, go try to find a private sector job, THEN complain. I work 2 p/t jobs and have no benefits/raises in 3 years. Stop b---- or leave.
Local
12:16 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Yeah, just find another job because the Tea Partiers don't think government is at all necessary, what you guys are doing is just sitting at desks & after all who needs to have the garbage picked up, & who needs someone to monitor the air & water to make sure it's safe & who needs people to plow snow from the streets & who needs people to place navigational markers in the water to guide boaters safely & who needs people to check bridges to make sure that they don't fall down & who needs building inspectors to make sure buildings are safe & who needs teachers & who needs health inspectors to check on sanitary conditions in restaurants & who needs police for public safety & who needs people to guard convicts & who needs to make sure ex-cons stay crime free & who needs engineers to keep roads safe, who needs home health aides to keep the elderly safe, etc.
Joe Pockets
9:16 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Dee just to get on the same page, My son was hired in 1999 by the county as a Dump truck driver cdl-a in hand, In 2012 after 12.5 years & 2 longvities he hit 39.400 before uncle sam got his. At that rate he will never get to struggle to pay his mortgage as im sorry you do,Because ......The job you say he should be glad to have didnt buy a house when they were giving away 5 years ago....Are hiring at either of your pt jobs at night...Maybe then he can get lucky and have a home to struggle for.
What you talkin about Willis?
4:20 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Can't private businesses do all of that less expensively? Tell you what, government can keep doing all it if they give up their pensions since this is an unnecessary expense on the taxpayers. Pensions don't plow roads, grab trash or make kids smarter.
Public sector makes more than private sector anyway
http://www.federalnewsradio.com//189/3085581/Pay-gap-between-government-private-sector-widens-to-34-percent
proud
3:02 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
And, who needs high paid administrators in every single municipality that perform the same duties as their peers in neighboring municipalities? And, who needs money grubbing unions that get sweetheart contracts by the likes of Jon Corzine to buy their vote? And , who needs a Civil Service system that not only protects, but rewards the inept and corrupt?...
TRWatch
3:57 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Anytime Bartlett opens his mouth I want to vomit.
Joe
5:49 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
The upper management in the sheriff's dept. did quite well. You have to wonder why those making the big money got the biggest raises......sign me one who knows for sure
Keeping whats mine
7:41 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Fire them all and hire the jobless, they will appreciate what they have. Dont live over what you have. I really do not care, im retired.
Joe Pockets
8:16 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
The 5 faces of granite that sit a the freeholders table make 100.000 +++ a year each in the dept they run or assist to run, each has at least 2 pension 28.000 and a car for 24 meetings a year...I guess the timing was right for them when there contract was signed! ...YEP
former
8:41 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
YOU ARE EXACTLY RIGHT!!!!! As long as they continue to make "their" high salaries during this hard economic time, then they don't care about all of the other employees. There is no reason for them to be making that much money!! They need to share the weath with the rest of the county employees
KC
12:15 am on Friday, October 19, 2012
Joe P, I have asked for years - what is it that freeholders do? NOBODY HAS AN ANSWER. I am not making that up. NOBODY has an answer to that question. I think they hold the money for free hence the name a Free holder.
Joe Pockets
8:36 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
Come November 6th the ocean county employees can return the kind and loving words to Mr bartlett & Little with a tug on 7B & 8B. let your wife, children,brothers, sisters Mothers & Fathers join this event of love so these to gentlemen can start collecting healthy pensions and sick time we owe them....Time for a Rooster in the Hen house Boys
disgusted homeowner
9:31 pm on Thursday, October 18, 2012
And please don't forget our 84 year old sheriff who collects his full pension ( from his 30 plus years as police chief in seaside) and his fulltime salary as sheriff. He doesn't know what time of day it is or where he is for that matter........And he's running for re-election this november!!!! HAHA LOL
Keeping whats mine
5:04 pm on Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Good one, and true. Sad