13
cized publicly by many members of the
System. The lawmakers and the public
are getting the idea that the retirement
Set is not favorably received by the
majority of the public employees and
should be repealed.
H i t should be borne in mind that
State employees, as a group, represent
But about one-third Of the total num
ber óf .members in the system.
If the I retirement c-optributions are
proving a burden, I suggest,we dirèct
our public . ¡criticisms. aggirisi the pay
schedules instead of the Retirement
them and they agree that something
must be done.
However, we are again confronted
with the age-old problem, the failure
ó’f the legislature to provide enough
money for the proper functioning of
our institutions, even though'w e peti
tioned the1 Governor arid discussed the
need for increased budgets* to meet ris
ing living costs with those responsible
for setting up' the budgets. We were
told by prominent legislators, in- Feb
ruary, that the cqst/of living would
not increase any further. Had this
proved true, the; Pay- Plan as adopted
B c t-
Would have been fairly in line with pri
CIVIL -SERVICE
For the past several months we have vate iridustry and living edits.
been asked by ,a number -of employees I My approach^to a salary adjustment
to advise and assist them in their re- has been based entirely on living costs.
I have advocated a fixed amount for all
quest for classification changes. ,
Some of .these cases required an àpy employees alike, to be knówn as’a cost
pearance before the Ciyjk Service .Q^m- of living adjustment. The adjustment;
mission. Changes granted were all too should not,, ât’-this time at least, inter
fere- w ith'the?X y Plan set; u p b y 'th e
H r.
Civil .Service Commission; let the plan
To date the activities of the Civil function normally«^
Service Commission seem I to center
If the cost of living continues | to
■lore around Thè employer than around
increase wè Ciri attempt tóihrtcfease the
employee groups.
H Perhaps the Chapters could request adjustment, if the costs decrease the
Commission representatives to ffrieeV adjustment may be withheld without
with them for discussion of specific endangering the established pay sched
"gripes” and inform the Headquarters ules.
Office of actions taken. Although the INSURANCE
The Association I has provided a
■ taff and Board oLiDirectors have made
many representations to the Commis- .Group Life Insurancebglan for it's mem
sion arid have fully argued and dis bers. The plan is recognized by those
missed all matters of ló^ncern' tri* the who know insurance* to be a n , excellent
Employees,..the- fact 'still remains. that, one. The cost is low and thé protection
the Association has been granted few, sound. Howévef,’ thè plan has not met
if any of the request’s-involving changes with the success^ anticipated. I
in the Civil Service* Rules of value to
I f the Association is to profili by
employees.
this prograin, every member must be
IMAGES AND ’SALARIES
come a self-appointed agent. The In--'
I Our president has ably Tbyieived As st^rarie'e Company alsoi has a definite,
sociation Activities regarding^ages and obligation in promoting the prograin. I
The Association stands to gain much
Salaries.
I Some adjustment must be made in from a large participating group.
the salary structure. Employees d S no
If and when the Association adopts
longer meet liying costs by salaries paid a Hospital and" Surgical program, it
at this time. This fact is recognized by should be done only .after the member
department heads and administrative ship has shown a ' desire fot this type
officers. I have“ contacted a nuriiber of of insurance by popular vote.