Its a dumb question. Its an attempt to pit people against each other - middle class people. The question should be is Gov. Cuomo paid too much? Is the president of Citibank paid too much? The vast majority of state workers who do the grunt work - parks, prisons, highways, mental health facilities, libraries, corrections, state troopers, SUNY employees, and so on - they aren't paid enough. I do not, and will not, begrudge my neighbor, my relative, the woman/man at the DMV from making a good wage. When the middle class is strong and growing, the whole country grows. Its really that simple.
JS - 10 years ago
Do I think state workers are paid too much? Talk to the direct care aide who leaves his shift only to head to a second job with a non-profit agency. Talk to the parks worker who makes $33K on base after many years of service. Speak with the DOT supervisor who makes $45K on base. And that's a supervisor. I don't think it'll come as a surprise that I do not think state workers make too much. I realize headline writers have only so much time, but it would be worthwhile for them to take the time to read the story. Then the headline might read, "Most NYS workers struggling to get by."
Ignatz Scholovosky - 10 years ago
I do not know if people realize that there are plenty of state workers that make 10-12 dollars an hour. From my own investigation those people that work in your county buildings, in your school picking up after our kids, serving their lunches. that clerk at the DMV or the Cashier or grounds person at our state parks. As someone who does work in private sector i do find it reprehensibly that service jobs are not paid a living wage. In some cases, if you look at the research, it has been proven in some large box retailers give their employees new work packets with a food stamp applications.
Have the words of Upton Sinclaire from 100 years ago come true? why are we not talking about the local farmers that are being forced to use GMO's in their soil, or the plunging of the population of our birds. Instead of looking at the income of the lower middle class of this county why do we not talk more about the the financial industry says. How about IBM which holds our county hostage if we do not give them their tax advantages. Or uptapped wealth buying the elections.
We really need to really need to remember why the fifth estate was born.
Linda - 10 years ago
I am a taxpayerwho works for a local government AND a non profit because we haven't had a raise since 2009. My medical contributions an copays have risen significantly. parking fees have doubled. i keep my home @ 58 in winter because I can't afford fuel. They have cut lower positions,but left management levels the same so there are more people telling fewer what to do. Some jobs have been outsourced, but the other agencies only do work that is profitable and refer difficult costly case back to local gov. I make far below the median salary for the county and I have a Master's degree. I am a taxpayer and pay so you can have cleared roads,police and fire,schools,etc.Also a proud Union member and Republican.
johnny - 10 years ago
As a school district non teaching employee the average employee in my department makes about $28,000. Also as far as healthcare we pay into our health benefits as well. An employee with family gives up more then 1/3 of his monthly take home. Which that employee would qualify for social services. Do you think that is overcompensated?
Nicole c - 10 years ago
As a "government worker" am I not paid nearly as much as people believe or the media leads people to believe. Unions garuntee a fair wage and safe work conditions. That should be standard no matter where someone works. The worst thing someone can say is as a tax payer they paid my salary with that said I'm a tax payer also and YOUR WELCOME ... Unions do the job that people take for granted .. We plow the roads in storms, clean the parks, you flick your light switch we help you get power, we work with the poor, sick and mental ill. We do this all while short staff also!
Nicole c - 10 years ago
As a "government worker" am I not paid nearly as much as people believe or the media leads people to believe. Unions garuntee a fair wage and safe work conditions. That should be standard no matter where someone works. The worst thing someone can say is as a tax payer they paid my salary with that said I'm a tax payer also and YOUR WELCOME ... Unions do the job that people take for granted .. We plow the roads in storms, clean the parks, you flick your light switch we help you get power, we work with the poor, sick and mental ill. We do this all while short staff also!
Joanne D - 10 years ago
I believe that the private sector needs to catch up and now. Private companies in this area base the wages on global salaries instead of what they really should be. It's a disgrace. We all need more UNIONS. We are going backwards instead of foward. Stop the increase in CEO salaries.
Bob - 10 years ago
From the results of the poll thus far it appears that half of the votes are being cast by New York State employees. We , the State taxpayer, pay your salary and benefits and in my opinion you are highly overcompensated. How many private sector workers are so well protected? Few!
MB - 10 years ago
I think state workers are like any other worker. Those in the upper position may get an inflated salary but when you factor in having urine and feces thrown at you and working weekends and overnight shifts it's not always as glorious as people think. Missing Thanksgiving, Christmas and other family events because they are working. How many over 100K are obtained through overtime when the state should be hiring more employees? I think the focus should be on NY creating a state that stops the never ending taxes and unfunded mandates to schools that will help level off the salaries of its workers so they can afford to live here
Larry - 10 years ago
Why should state workers make more (pension healthcare bonuses & pay) more than the average citizen paying their salary (taxes)?
charlie - 10 years ago
Especially since the state workers making that kind of money also have their health insurance and
retirements paid for by taxpayers. How many of you in the private sector get that. New York should
follow Wisconsin's lead.
Its a dumb question. Its an attempt to pit people against each other - middle class people. The question should be is Gov. Cuomo paid too much? Is the president of Citibank paid too much? The vast majority of state workers who do the grunt work - parks, prisons, highways, mental health facilities, libraries, corrections, state troopers, SUNY employees, and so on - they aren't paid enough. I do not, and will not, begrudge my neighbor, my relative, the woman/man at the DMV from making a good wage. When the middle class is strong and growing, the whole country grows. Its really that simple.
Do I think state workers are paid too much? Talk to the direct care aide who leaves his shift only to head to a second job with a non-profit agency. Talk to the parks worker who makes $33K on base after many years of service. Speak with the DOT supervisor who makes $45K on base. And that's a supervisor. I don't think it'll come as a surprise that I do not think state workers make too much. I realize headline writers have only so much time, but it would be worthwhile for them to take the time to read the story. Then the headline might read, "Most NYS workers struggling to get by."
I do not know if people realize that there are plenty of state workers that make 10-12 dollars an hour. From my own investigation those people that work in your county buildings, in your school picking up after our kids, serving their lunches. that clerk at the DMV or the Cashier or grounds person at our state parks. As someone who does work in private sector i do find it reprehensibly that service jobs are not paid a living wage. In some cases, if you look at the research, it has been proven in some large box retailers give their employees new work packets with a food stamp applications.
Have the words of Upton Sinclaire from 100 years ago come true? why are we not talking about the local farmers that are being forced to use GMO's in their soil, or the plunging of the population of our birds. Instead of looking at the income of the lower middle class of this county why do we not talk more about the the financial industry says. How about IBM which holds our county hostage if we do not give them their tax advantages. Or uptapped wealth buying the elections.
We really need to really need to remember why the fifth estate was born.
I am a taxpayerwho works for a local government AND a non profit because we haven't had a raise since 2009. My medical contributions an copays have risen significantly. parking fees have doubled. i keep my home @ 58 in winter because I can't afford fuel. They have cut lower positions,but left management levels the same so there are more people telling fewer what to do. Some jobs have been outsourced, but the other agencies only do work that is profitable and refer difficult costly case back to local gov. I make far below the median salary for the county and I have a Master's degree. I am a taxpayer and pay so you can have cleared roads,police and fire,schools,etc.Also a proud Union member and Republican.
As a school district non teaching employee the average employee in my department makes about $28,000. Also as far as healthcare we pay into our health benefits as well. An employee with family gives up more then 1/3 of his monthly take home. Which that employee would qualify for social services. Do you think that is overcompensated?
As a "government worker" am I not paid nearly as much as people believe or the media leads people to believe. Unions garuntee a fair wage and safe work conditions. That should be standard no matter where someone works. The worst thing someone can say is as a tax payer they paid my salary with that said I'm a tax payer also and YOUR WELCOME ... Unions do the job that people take for granted .. We plow the roads in storms, clean the parks, you flick your light switch we help you get power, we work with the poor, sick and mental ill. We do this all while short staff also!
As a "government worker" am I not paid nearly as much as people believe or the media leads people to believe. Unions garuntee a fair wage and safe work conditions. That should be standard no matter where someone works. The worst thing someone can say is as a tax payer they paid my salary with that said I'm a tax payer also and YOUR WELCOME ... Unions do the job that people take for granted .. We plow the roads in storms, clean the parks, you flick your light switch we help you get power, we work with the poor, sick and mental ill. We do this all while short staff also!
I believe that the private sector needs to catch up and now. Private companies in this area base the wages on global salaries instead of what they really should be. It's a disgrace. We all need more UNIONS. We are going backwards instead of foward. Stop the increase in CEO salaries.
From the results of the poll thus far it appears that half of the votes are being cast by New York State employees. We , the State taxpayer, pay your salary and benefits and in my opinion you are highly overcompensated. How many private sector workers are so well protected? Few!
I think state workers are like any other worker. Those in the upper position may get an inflated salary but when you factor in having urine and feces thrown at you and working weekends and overnight shifts it's not always as glorious as people think. Missing Thanksgiving, Christmas and other family events because they are working. How many over 100K are obtained through overtime when the state should be hiring more employees? I think the focus should be on NY creating a state that stops the never ending taxes and unfunded mandates to schools that will help level off the salaries of its workers so they can afford to live here
Why should state workers make more (pension healthcare bonuses & pay) more than the average citizen paying their salary (taxes)?
Especially since the state workers making that kind of money also have their health insurance and
retirements paid for by taxpayers. How many of you in the private sector get that. New York should
follow Wisconsin's lead.
Why are a 100,000 and more leaving this state.