The Oregon state employee., October 01, 1948, Page 13, Image 13

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sion! Overtime pay, pay for time work­ sion", and more cooperation with its
ed beyond that covered by the regular functions.
pay scale, is a peculiar proposition in
6. Money enough to do the job.
State employ. Civil Service rules say
The order of-arrangement is not acci­
that in general, it shall be granted by
allowing "exchange; time”, in rare cases dental. Public recognition of values
by; money payment, but NEVER for comes from telling the people openly
anyone who earns $300 a month or what their government is doings is not
more! Also, that any overtime shall be doing, and what it needs. This is a job
on straight time basis— day for day, for departmental public relations! Ad­
*Otc! There is no comparison here with ministrative recognition of the value of
practices of industry or of any other good personnel comes from a closer as-
political subdivision as far as is known. I sdciation with the employees arid a will­
Any .. industry pays at least time and ingness to work with them and through
one-half for overtime. Even our State them. Efficiency in administration
laws talk about double time for indus­ comes from needed re-organizations and
try overtime pay. State employees are from employee cooperation. Employees
being treated very unfairly on this over­ acceptance of their duties ' and Respon­
sibilities comes from efficient organ­
time question.
ization and administration. A strong
The record could be Expanded but ^3iyil-Service Commiwon is the balance
only to more' vividly prove the state­ wheel for. administration and employee
ment that the State is not giving proper relationship^; The funds required for
treatment to its employees at the pres­ good service can andrinust be forthcom­
ent time.
ing; the taxpayer does not intend to
What Needs to Be Done?
tolerate waste, he will pay for what he
The Oregon Legislature meets in Jan­ believers value received in services ren­
uary and will be confronted with many dered. Efficient^ervice is low cost ser-
serious problems. They appear destined vice.
to bear the burdens and are expected to
How Much Will It Cost?
solve the difficulties. They are entitled
To gain trtfejefficiency in public ser-
to help from all sources interested in
'vices$is not a question of cost; it is a
Oregon’s progress. I
matter of necessity. If it takes an aver­
The public service^ of the State need age raise in- salary of $50.00 per month
to be expanded and improved. The costs to keep good help on the job/ that is
must be paid. In enumerating the teal about $5,0001000 periyear. What is poor
needs of State administration and pulSH
help worth?-The State’s present reserve
lie service from the employees viewpoint of $40,000,000 Would pay such an in­
the following must be included:
crease for eight years. The cost of pay -
1. Public Recognition
the value of ing a proper wagqys not a loss, but rath­
the services rendered them by its gov­ er a gain in servfg^ndered! A look at
ernmental agencies.
profit-making private industry proves
2. Administrative récognition of the that ¿'statement. If service is to be ren­
value of an efficient personnel in State dered, service must be purchased. Only
employ, and a different attitude on how a low quality administration would
to gain and keep it.
think that cheap hire makes for good
I '3. A more efficient administration, service or economy. The service rend­
with re-organization of departments ered by any department can be no bet­
where necessary to obtain it.
ter than is reflected in the quality of
4. Employee acceptance of his full the personnel that performs the sefyibe;
duties and responsibilities to the State the employee. It should be evident that
and to the Public.
we do not here deal in costs, but rather
3. A forceful Givil Service Commis- in necessity!