Liz Salles: With no raises, loyal county employees deserve bonuses

Despite the many challenges over the years, county employees largely remain grateful and loyal, doing whatever it takes to maintain efficacy and professionalism. We have sacrificed salary increases, endured temporary financial cuts and continually fear cuts to benefit plans. Layoffs have contributed to increased workloads and responsibilities. For nearly a year, I assumed the role of a vacant position while maintaining my regular position as the counselor for the Teens Juvenile Drug Court Program. Taking on added responsibilities done countywide without additional pay. New county employees are permitted the opportunity to grow developmentally and financially through step-level pay increases over the first five years, dependent on annual evaluations.

Employees have not gotten any salary increases over the past six years, despite steady increases in the cost of living. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for County Supervisors, who have reaped the benefits of salary increases during the same period. Lately, supervisors have decided to cut employee loyalty bonuses previously given to those with 10 or more years of service. Loyalty bonuses were initiated through negotiations in lieu of a step-level pay increases. This is most disappointing, communicating to long-standing employees a lack of appreciation.

We hope the supervisors will reconsider this action and reinstate the loyalty bonuses.

This story was originally published December 3, 2014 at 11:32 AM with the headline "Liz Salles: With no raises, loyal county employees deserve bonuses."