I stand corrected. Thanks for your insight! I'm surprised they haven't been able to collectively force the state's hand more than they have, especially with so many unfilled positions.
I kinda disagree with the pension being such a huge selling point (as a MT state worker who selected defined contribution over defined benefit). The pension system in MT has repeatedly been adjusted to provide lower benefits to maintain solvency, and if you spend your entire career underpaid (relative to comparable private-sector jobs) and your retirement wage is based upon your wage for the last 3 years of service, then your fixed income in retirement is going to be underwhelming, even if the cost-of-living adjustments are more generous than the legislature grants active employees. The states defined contribution match is quite generous compared to most private companies, so I'd rather take my chance with the market than count on the current trajectory of Montana politics reversing to valuing public employees more instead of less.
My comment was tongue in cheek, but I think we are on the same wave length. Quality of life absolutely does matter. We just know that people are bad about planning for the long-term future. Some do, most don't. I have seen estimates that public-sector pay is on par with private sector when you add in all the benefits (non-cash comp). I think people in their early 20's have a tough time looking at the salary and doing the math when the biggest benefit is 30yrs out into the future. Cash compensation needs to increase. But again, I direct you to the MT property tax thread.
I got a chuckle out of thinking about this one.
Like this one from the CBO (2017 report, based on on data up to 2015):
www.cbo.gov
Over the long term that could be the case, but I think the last few years has turned it on its head (in MT at least) and I have little confidence it will correct. I just approved an invoice for a consultant PM making $84/hr - I work with him regularly, guy in his 40's that has a lot of responsibility but also takes plenty of vacation and rarely works over 50hrs in a week. My boss's boss is an expert in his field, has 30+ years of engineering experience, and sits on several national committees, and he makes $47/hr with the state. There have to be a lot of intangibles to make up that difference. When a mid-level project manager is making almost $20/hr more than the governor-appointed director, I don't see us catching up any time soon.
Are you suggesting the state give public land into private ownership as a work incentive?
Yes.
I'm all for incentives and pay bumps for wardens, but I can't support that. And I doubt wardens (or the DNRC) would either. Would be a huge loss to public access and school funding.
This applies federally as well. As LEOs, we may not strike however FLRA is a quality to offset the value of "Striking". Our federal unions, NTEU and AFGE are two of the strongest and hold coveted Collective Bargaining Agreements.
I hear you. It is a stir and would need to be reviewed/evaluated to see if it would hold water. As with all grieved resolutions.
In our case, its unfilled positions and the workload has increased due to staffing shortfalls. Doing more with less has a breaking point when it comes to staffing.Like this one from the CBO (2017 report, based on on data up to 2015):
View attachment 305204
Comparing the Compensation of Federal and Private-Sector Employees, 2011 to 2015
During the 2011-2015 period, the difference between the wages, benefits, and total compensation of federal civilian employees and those of similar private-sector employees varied widely depending on the employees’ educational attainment.
Perhaps things have changed from 2015 or so.
Latest jobs reports shows government added more jobs to their payroll. Would also be interesting to know how many of these unfilled positions are "necessary" -- i.e., if the work is getting done without those positions filled, or if they're "new" positions for new agency programs, etc.
Hard no, if I were a MT resident. State would run out of land in about 30yrs and once gone, you never get it back.
I could get on board with your items 2,3...not the first and not the last.
It's NOT you. This is a terrible job description. Extremely distressing and negative. It should be immediately pulled and written by a professional job placement person.
You’re talking about states other than MT, right? I’m not aware of any FWP employee housing outside of maybe the fish hatcheries.
My wife talks me off the "many other things i'd be much happier doing for much less money" ledge constantly and reminds me of the "free time" I have with my current job. Doesn't mean I don't dream of having less stress and responsibility ha
