So I had lunch w/Mostovic today. Normally, lunch w/him is great but today I came away angry. We started discussing some of the issues w/my work. Specifically, the work I’ve been doing w/the Union to help get a raise. I was a bit taken aback when he actually began arguing as if I didn’t deserve a raise. Like, HOW DARE I ask for more money in such a rough economy. I guess more than anything it surprised me. I didn’t expect it.
However, during the discussion, it did serve to remind me of the reasons why I’m fighting for a raise. The main one, my job was doubled two and half hears ago and am just now getting a chance to plead my (our) case. The other reason is I value my skills. I’ve learned (the hard way) that if I don’t stand up for my rights no one else will. Sometimes that means a new job and sometimes it just means playing hard ball where you’re at. And it’s definitely been an uphill battle. The city is facing another large deficeit and is looking for ways to save money. So, naturally giving me more money doesn’t figure into their plans. (In case you missed it, I’m a dispatcher for SFPD. Two years ago, we were forced to take over Fire and EMS dispatch as well)
Even before we took over the extra duties, we were the least paid in the nine Bay area counties. Now with the increased workload, we have stopped asking and started demanding more money. At a time when Sacramento’s dispatchers just got a 41% pay increase, I think our small 10% request is not going to break the bank. And considering there is only 1 dispatcher on duty for every 100,000 (yes that was one hundred thousand) people in the city, I think it would be in SF’s best interest to at least try to keep the dispatchers they have.
Remembering this put me back in a good mood and my day has been peachy since!
You go! Stand up for yourself and your skills buddy! It’s gotten you this far and will keep you going. It’s something I need to work on myself — thanks for the example!
(smootch)
Why is it so hard to give hard-working police/fire people raises when corporate bigwigs can get gigantic bonuses? Our priorities suck.
I used to dispatch for AAA back in Texas. I remember reading that the only job rated more stressful is for air traffic control. You have to deal with tons of units in different areas, and it doesn’t ever stop.
Good luck on the raise, or good luck to SF when you go to a better paying job in another town.
I’m sure they’d be just as quick with the blame when they can’t get through because their mistress decided to plant a knife in their ever whining craw.
The “rough economy” statement is the excuse wealthier people always run with. It’s a cop out.
Please take a deep breath and don’t get mad at me; if you get angry, how can you try to understand where the other side stands?
OK, here goes. Government employees have a terrible image (earned or unearned) as being lazy, overpaid, and somewhat crooked. You, me, and everyone personally knows many, many hardworking honest government employees who don’t deserve such an image. Unfortunately, we also know a “few” who should be thrown off a bridge. This is true in every section of employment, but is very visible in the government section. You know the saying, “A few bad apples,…”.
Add to this that even the biggest goofoffs think they are underpaid and “THERE IS NO WAY YOU SHOULD MAKE MORE THAN THEM” (I know you’re thinking of some right now).
Inequalities in pay are everywhere (think SENIORITY in union pay). I personally think you probable deserve more than 10%, but I also think some of the “BIG WIGS” in San Francisco are grossly overpaid. I read where a guy who started as a clerk ten years ago, now heads the division at $170,000 per year. Boy, talk about fast tracking! Yet when the Mayor tries to fix things, everybody gets mad.
I don’t have the answer, I just know that it’s not right (but I do try to educate one person at a time).
You are right Jeff but the difference is it’s the City I’m fighting, not public opinion.
We’ve already given up 7.5% of our salary along w/a 2year salary freeze. Pretty soon we’ll be working for free.
The city just found 50 million dollars in extra revenue for the general fund. Also, as we take over fire dispatch, we are replacing firefighters who make on average make 20-30 thousand more a year than we do. We are already saving the city a huge chunk of money. It is not unreasonable to ask for a small increase for the amount of work we’ve taken on. Add to that, we are the only agency in the nation that answers police, fire, and ems and you begin to see the problem.