After five years, civil servants in the remaining State Departments that have yet to receive any cost of living increases will receive them; well, most of them. It's been a long and excruciating wait, and one that will linger for many years to come. mostly because it has affected their lives forever. From the 20% + increase in salary they were denied over the last five years, or more accurately, denied the chance to earn, it will affect their retirement and their career earning potential.
But you say, "They can leave if they are unhappy." This seems an obvious answer to a simple question, but as always with state government, it isn't. The way state government is set up, the civil servant, once being employed for at least ten years, has much to lose if he or she leaves. If you have never heard of the windfall reduction, look it up, and explore its unfairness and you will see why many state employees feel imprisoned to the state they vowed to work for. And that's just one of the penalties many face. Most do not realize the quagmire they have stepped into until it is too late.
On a lighter note, and back to the original spirit of the post, most of the remaining departments will receive a 4% increase in pay. It's not much, but it will help to offset the rising costs of the new healthcare plan which we pay generously for. I pay $6,000.00 a year for mine, and it's not that great.
But you say, "They can leave if they are unhappy." This seems an obvious answer to a simple question, but as always with state government, it isn't. The way state government is set up, the civil servant, once being employed for at least ten years, has much to lose if he or she leaves. If you have never heard of the windfall reduction, look it up, and explore its unfairness and you will see why many state employees feel imprisoned to the state they vowed to work for. And that's just one of the penalties many face. Most do not realize the quagmire they have stepped into until it is too late.
On a lighter note, and back to the original spirit of the post, most of the remaining departments will receive a 4% increase in pay. It's not much, but it will help to offset the rising costs of the new healthcare plan which we pay generously for. I pay $6,000.00 a year for mine, and it's not that great.