6. SR 03-13-1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Comparable Worth Memo Page 3 March 13, 1995 • review of the committee's findings, I concur with the changes that will be recommended. One final item the committee will discuss with the Council on 3/13 is a point ranking appeal process. An appeal process is required by law. WAGE ADJUSTMENTS: I felt it would have been unfair to request the committee to make recommendations on any individual pay adjustments. Actual pay for employees is set at the discretion of the City Council, and it is my responsibility to make recommendations on this issue. Now that the committee has completed its work, I am ready to offer the City Council my comments on wages. The basis of my comments are the results of the City CW Plan (point rankings and pay ranges). Regarding actual pay adjustments, many factors come into play. The most important factors include being fair to all employees, and to treat all employees consistently. Additionally, we also have to keep in mind public • perception regarding "over paid" municipal employees (everyone from laborers and secretaries to department heads) and the fact that most employees are paid with tax dollars. Finally, the municipal budget for 1995 has already been set and a substantial change in 1995 would cause the use of City reserves and could significantly impact the increase in next year's budget. My recommendation for wage adjustments as it relates to comparable worth is a conservative one. We are currently in compliance with the law and, accordingly, I am recommending that all employees be simply slotted into their new proposed pay range. If the employees fall above the pay range, their only increase in future years will be for cost of living. The only employees who would receive an immediate wage adjustment would be those who fall below the starting level of their pay range. I am recommending that these individuals be put at the first step of their pay range. These employees would then move to the next step of their pay range on 1/1/96. I am suggesting no retroactive pay increases. By slotting all of the employees into their pay range at their existing wage, the City is not increasing anybody's wage nor are we freezing anybody's wage. All employees, if they are not at the top of their pay range, are eligible • to receive a step increase each year until they are at the top. This is a step increase in addition to cost of living increases. Accordingly, most employees