The Oregon state employee., April 01, 1944, Page 5, Image 5

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should demand of themselves and their
fellow workers, courtesy to, the public
and a concerted effort to build and
maintain a better, cleaner, more whole­
some government.
If in this country there is to be an
extension of the merit principle in gov­
ernment, and all of the good things
that go with it, it will have to be made
largely by the employees themselves. In
a democracy, the leadership in this di­
rection must be developed, from with­
in, from the ranks of the employees.
We feel this leadership is most effect­
ively developed through employee or­
ganization.
Toward the achievement of these
ends we direct our efforts and invite
all State employees, in all State depart­
ments, to assume a rightful position
and voice in the movement.
HON. EARL WARREN
Governor of California,
A ddresses CSEA at Their Annual Council Meeting Held
February 19, 1944
Practically all of the employees in
California receive their appointments
and promotions as a result of ability
demonstrated in competitive examina­
tion. Positions are classified so that em­
ployees, men and women alike, are paid
equal pay for equal work and that ten­
ure is subject to good behaviour and
the efficient discharge of duty. Pro­
visions exist for the payment of over­
time pay and sick leave and for vaca­
tions and retirement. All of these pro­
visions are essential in any good merit
system. There are still problems facing
the State as an employer and facing
State employees as participants in the
merit system.
Employment coverage has been in­
creased during the past year, the Per­
sonnel Board has advanced in its prob­
lems of classification, its studies of sal­
ary adjustments, in the development of
overtime schedules, and the promotion
o f in-service training programs which
afford better opportunity for advance­
ment. These, coupled with studies of
the retirement system, and full consid­
eration of employees who return from
service with the armed forces, will con­
tinue to hold our attention.
We owe it to the voters to make the
system work. We must show that by
creating better conditions of employ­
ment, our State is receiving better and
more efficient service. We must in­
crease the morale of the employees in
the interest of greater efficiency. We
must wipe out discord and get away
from favoritism.
Many o f our citizens hold beliefs in
regard to civil service which need cor­
recting. There exists a feeling that civil
service, through its rigid rules, not only
protects those who are efficient but
also, harbors many who are not ren­
dering their best or adequate service.
The more we can do to raise efficiency
and make the rules protect only those
who are giving honest service to the
State, the more favorably the public
will respond to the protections which
the merit system affords. I want to see
State jobs filled by men and women
anxious to prove through performance
that they, are entitled to promotion.
We want employees of State Govern-