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Rauner handing out bonuses to non-union employees

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Illinois

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s administration is awarding one-time bonuses worth a total of between $3 million and $4 million to non-union workers whose bosses say are doing exceptional work.

About 1,100 merit-compensation employees are in line to each receive a $3,016 bonus under the plan. […]

Rauner’s office said that left a potential pool of about 2,000 employees eligible for the bonus. In order to qualify, an employee had to receive an “exceptional” rating on his or her evaluation. Rauner’s office said about 1,100 employees got that rating. […]

Although the state is delaying payments to many organizations and vendors because of the traditional fall slowdown in tax collections, the bonus payments are being made. Rich Carter, spokesman for Comptroller Leslie Munger, said the bonus payments can’t be differentiated from regular payroll when agencies submit payroll information to the office for payment.

* React…

On the WMAY News Feed, Democrat Susana Mendoza questioned how Governor Bruce Rauner can hand out more than $3 million in bonuses at a time when the state is billions behind on its bills.

And she says Republican Comptroller Leslie Munger won’t speak out about it… because Mendoza says Munger is in Rauner’s pocket after accepting millions from the governor and his rich friends.

What do you make of all this?

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:54 pm

Comments

Would like to see the names of those who didn’t get the bonus.

If Democrats did this Radogno, Tribune et al would have crucified them.

“3 million on bonuses in a budget crisis!?”

Comment by Handle Bar Mustache Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:57 pm
Does this add up?
From the SJR article:
First: they are not pensionable.
Second: Rich Carter, spokesman for Comptroller Leslie Munger, said the bonus payments can’t be differentiated from regular payroll when agencies submit payroll information to the office for payment.

So they’re being separated but not differentiated?

Comment by Michelle Flaherty Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 2:59 pm
A good idea in normal times. A “nice to have” at this point.

Not even a close call when people are literally suffering or dying due to failure of the state to pay organizations for contracts already fulfilled.

Comment by walker Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:02 pm
As everyone cashes their checks, they think, “Gee, only two or three more checks like these and it’ll be just like union wages.”

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:03 pm
Nice timin’ BigBrain finally get somethin’ right. Will motivate lots of action in the field….How about we ask Wingman’s for a list of all salaries that went up by $3K (maybe 2K) in one pay period.

Comment by Annonin' Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:04 pm
1) Since Mendoza is clueless to the whole “withhold legislator pay” thing, that Crew is the absolute last that should be talking about pay and payment. Ugh.

2) If these bonuses go to the “Leslie Munger Front of the Line” choices her Chief of Staff said needed to reassess for legislators, Rauner put Munger in the trick bag.

3) With a budget, this would’ve been HUGE for Rauner to move forward his agenda items. Without a budget it looks like Rauner is trying to divide state workers days before an election.

4) State Workers, vote accordingly. Rauner is saying that dividing you and assessing you days before an election… Rauner wants these bonuses to put all of you on notice… and now state workers ahold respond… at the ballot box.

You know, with a budget, man, this would’ve have been complete genius.

It now looks like “I prefer non-state workers, and will reward those who aren’t my enemy.”(?)

Three things, FY2015 Budget Fix, a FY2016 Budget, Labor Peace…

Man, accomplish those things, this woulda been a huge plus. Now it looks like a wedge.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Discriminating against union employees. Is that legally kosher? Doesn’t sound like it.

Comment by anonmymous Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:05 pm
Couldn’t possibly be meant as something to rub in AFSCME members’ faces, right?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:05 pm
I totally get how many state workers are over worked and underpaid. And deserving of raises or bonuses.

But given circumstances, you can’t agree to pay some people EXTRA money that they were not expecting, when you are stiffing thousands and thousands of people state wide for money that they are contractually due and relying upon.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:06 pm
As I understand it, merit comp employees have not seen a pay raise or salary adjustment since 2003 while AFSCME employees have seen increases (some of which are still owed). So instead of making up for no increases over the last 13 years, Mr. Rauner is giving them bonuses like those earned in the private sector.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:07 pm
From the article:

–Hoffman said the last across-the-board salary increase for non-bargaining unit employees was in 2005. The last merit pay program for them was in 2009.–

If they had been treated decently and received raises like their union member subordinates over the years, this wouldn’t be a big deal or even necessary.

–The memo says the bonuses are available to non-bargaining unit employees whose base salary as of July 1 was less than $100,000. Those earning more were not eligible.–

This is not top staff. These are valuable managers who have not been treated well for close to a decade.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:07 pm
how often are there bonuses in public sector jobs? I am unfamiliar with the concept.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:09 pm
As a non-union state employee, I am outraged. This is no more than taking care of Rauner’s campaign staffers. What was the time frame for “exceptional”? How was it advertised? What is the criteria? Publish the names of the exceptional performers. What a crooked system!!! As a republican, save the money and pay our health providers first!!

Comment by State Employee Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:12 pm
I heard that only positions paying under $100,000 were included. I would suggest also excluding all double exempt positions.

Evaluations are not believable in the State system. At least not from what I observed.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:12 pm
There must be some detail missing here. Are these employees who are not allowed to join a union for some reason?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:13 pm
Can Mendoza turn this into a new ad fast enough?

Comment by d.p.gumby Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:14 pm
Thanks, Mr. Burgundy for the clarification.

Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:14 pm
Could this be advance pay for ‘other duties as assigned’ when union workers are forced out on strike?

Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:14 pm
–Are these employees who are not allowed to join a union for some reason?–

Yes. Their positions are non-union, largely because they are supervisory or management.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:15 pm
The problem with Rauner’s contract offer to AFSCME is that the performance bonuses would go to a minimum 25% of workers. That means many workers who do exceptional work could get stiffed.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:16 pm
Rauner talked about this during his campaign, so we shouldn’t be surprised. The timing is weird though, it must be related to an AFSCME negotiation issue somehow.

The point that these employees haven’t had raises in many years is going to get lost unfortunately.

Comment by Not It Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:17 pm
Again, I get that many state employees have gone years without raises, while their colleagues in the union did get raises. And that can be unfair.

So let me ask this, of the 1,100 who got bonuses to make up for the lack of raises since 2005, how many of the 1.100 have been employed by the state for over 3 years? Or
better yet, how many have been employed for less than 3 years?

I read to be eligible for the bonus you just had to employed no later than March 30, 2016. Certainly those folks haven’t suffered by the lack of raises going back to 2005.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:18 pm
The Better Government Association will FOIA and publish the list of names in 3….2….1

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:26 pm
And how many raises has Mendoza received since 2005?

Comment by Joe Schmoe Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:29 pm
LOL @ Mendoza logic. The State is too broke to pay bonuses so no one should get them. However, I am supported by a laundry list of labor groups that are demanding wages and other value increases to their compensation.

Comment by BK Bro Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:30 pm
My Agency told us not to give exceptional, so long suffering spsa got nothing. It would be interesting to see who did….

Comment by SPSA Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:32 pm
If Henry Francis is inferring that supervisory staff are political appointees, then he knows nothing of state government. Most state managers and supervisors came up through the ranks and their first loyalty has always been to their respective programs and agencies, not to whatever politico is in power. Most of those whining about performance bonuses going to non-union personnel would cheer madly if the union types got another 5% increase. My wife, who was a state manager, went for 5 years without a raise, despite superior performance ratings annually. There simply was not enough money appropriated for that purpose despite annual union employee raises. Those benefiting from this action by the governor no doubt deserved it.

Comment by Skirmisher Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:32 pm
This looks like it lacks transparency. What are the exceptional performance standards? Who are the employees who received these bonuses? Making the bonus reliant solely on the supervisor evaluation leaves the door open for problems, such as employees who performed exceptionally but didn’t get the exceptional rating.

Without specificity and transparency, the door is open for problems such as favoritism, cronyism, etc.

Comment by Grandson of Man Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:33 pm
===I am supported by a laundry list of labor groups that are demanding wages and other value increases to their compensation.===

(Face Palm)

Contracts are negotiated, then agreed to, then signed.

They’re not arbitrary.

Please keep up.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:33 pm
=== Discriminating against union employees. Is that legally kosher? Doesn’t sound like it. ===

Please cool your jets, union guy. If you know my comments here you will realize that I support union collective bargaining and have been sharply critical of Rauner’s anti-union crusade. However, you need to realize that with a small exception – mostly surrounding extremely political hires, MCs have not received a pay raise in 10 years. In fact, they suffered through a couple of years of furloughs. Throughout most of this time, union members did receive raises.

I’m conflicted by this action. While design of the Rauner bonus plan is wrong by limiting money to exceptional only, and it seeks to keep it from being counted in pension calculations, I hate to see anyone who hasn’t seen raises in 10 years being deprived of an increase in pay albeit a one-time infusion. On the other hand, as so many have pointed out, Rauner’s anti-union hostage strategy has worsened the state debt. With so many entities suffering under Rauner’s impasse, how do you give any increases now?

Comment by Norseman Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:36 pm
At my former state agency, we were barred from giving exceptional rankings on a review.

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:38 pm
O Willy: Got it. Thanks for clarifying that BR is handing out $3k checks arbitrarily to random employees with no regard for performance or any other metric.

Comment by BK Bro Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:39 pm
- BK Bro -

A rating… And yet no oversight as to what or who got the bonuses?

Hmm.

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:41 pm
I have mixed feelings. The merit comp folks certainly have been mistreated for the past 12 years, so they are deserving. The administration is trying to demonstrate that a bonus system can be fairly implemented. The state is in a terrible position budgetarily. On the whole, acceptable.

Comment by Steve Schnorf Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:43 pm
I have mixed feelings. The merit comp folks certainly have been mistreated for the past 12 years, so they are deserving. The administration is trying to demonstrate that a bonus system can be fairly implemented. The state is in a terrible position budgetarily. On the whole, acceptable.

Comment by Steve Schnorf Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:43 pm
–So let me ask this, of the 1,100 who got bonuses to make up for the lack of raises since 2005, how many of the 1.100 have been employed by the state for over 3 years?–

Anecdotally (and that’s admittedly all I know), the few I know of are holdovers who do a really good job. Not sure how long. So Treasurer Mendoza would be wise to focus her energy here on the officials in charge not those receiving these bonuses, or she might hit a few of her own supporters by accident.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:43 pm
For many non union managers, a $3000 bonus won’t come close to getting their pay equal to their union staff.

This pay inequality has discouraged employees from taking non union management jobs, which often remain unfilled or go to inexperienced newcomers.

This “bonus” won’t change this trend.

Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:44 pm
Skirmisher. Let’s see who got the bonuses, and how long they were denied raises under the unfair system. If the majority of them had been employees for 3 years or less, then the claim that they have been without raises since 2005 is just more disingenuousness from this administration.

You gotta admit, given their track record it’s hard to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Believe me, I am sympathetic to your wife’s situation.

Comment by Henry Francis Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:45 pm
Appalling. Looks like a ploy to get union members to drop out and take merit comp positions if they have an opportunity to do so.

Comment by Anon Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:46 pm
… and it sounds like the timing was a surprise?

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:46 pm
This looks like it lacks transparency. What are the exceptional performance standards? Who are the employees who received these bonuses? Making the bonus reliant solely on the supervisor evaluation leaves the door open for problems, such as employees who performed exceptionally but didn’t get the exceptional rating.

Without specificity and transparency, the door is open for problems such as favoritism, cronyism, etc.

Nicely said, and what happened…its sad and plain wrong.

Comment by SPSA Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:46 pm
Appalling. Looks like a ploy to get union members to drop out and take merit comp positions if they have an opportunity to do so.

Nope they know this was a scam. They know who works, who doesn’t, who voices an opinion a concern, who says yes….

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:52 pm
buying support.

Comment by filmmakerprof Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:53 pm
A one-time $3000 bonus? Really?

The pay discrepancy between union employees and non union managers is so great that this will do little to change things.

In Illinois State government, virtually no union employee will move up to a non union management jobs. This meager bonus won’t change things.

Management jobs go unfilled or are taken by, at best, inexperienced newcomers or, at worst, political hacks.

Sad.

Comment by Sir Reel Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:55 pm
I can’t believe MC employees who have supervisory responsibilities are getting a bonus during a budget crisis. Their staff are the ones doing exceptional works but MC supervisors get the credit.

Comment by Former State MC employee Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:58 pm
It sounds like Lake Wobegon, where all of the children are above average.

1100 ‘exceptional’ employees out of 2000?

Comment by northsider (the original) Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:59 pm
I’m not sure what point Mendoza was trying to make. Is she suggesting that the payments should have been withheld?

As for what I make of this, there is nothing wrong with the concept. Many of the criticisms being brought up here are the same criticisms that have been brought up every time a bonus program has been discussed.

As for the union angle, I don’t doubt this was a bit of a poke in the eye at the union. The timing wasn’t an accident. Even so, the argument that this is somehow unfair towards the union is a bit much. Merit comp employees have gone for raises for many years.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 3:59 pm
“gone without” not “gone for”

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:00 pm
I am a merit comp employee with 25 years here. No raises since at least 2003. Evals for the past 24 years were all exceptional with statements by my supervisor indicating I should get a raise/bonus if they become available. Staff I supervise make more than I do because of the step increases and COLAs. I’m not getting a bonus. Why? Because when my direct supervisor retired, a new one took over and felt that because she didn’t know my work (we’ve worked together all these years), she could only indicate “met” on my eval. Total disregard for the past 19 years of evaluations. Timing? The new evaluation was done in June (8 months late). But individuals who’ve been here for less than 2 years are getting the bonus. Where’s the incentive for anyone to be a merit comp employee? I will continue to do my job the best way I can, but boy, am I looking forward to retirement!

Comment by Beaten down but almost done Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:03 pm
The union members just got performance bonuses. This is a small attempt at helping those who have gone without raises for the last dozen years. The fact that it is a “bonus” rather than a raise so that it doesn’t go towards retirement hurts, but, at this point, anything helps.

Comment by fyi Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:06 pm
I don’t get the timing, does he really support Munger?

Comment by Wensicia Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:13 pm
I’m union but don’t begrudge merit comp employees these bonuses at all. As many have already mentioned, they’re long overdue. However I’m way too cynical to believe, as Steve Schnorf does, that this is a trial run by the admin. to demonstrate a bonus pay system can be fairly implemented. Rauner is buying those merit comp. employees in some way.

Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:17 pm
Good for them. I’m not a state employee. I’m also not anti-state employee. Good to see these hard working people being rewarded for their efforts.

Comment by Postbot 6000 Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:24 pm
Rauner adding twistin’ and shoutin’ to his shakin’ up. Sugar coated “good intentions”, but as many have already posted, let the sun shine in on the “recipe” used.

Comment by Anon221 Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:27 pm
This is just one of those completely avoidable situations. Additionally as a one time state employee, these always went out in December when nobody was paying attention!

Comment by Downstate GOP Faithless Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:30 pm
Rauner’s people have no idea how to run the state. Lose all the senior career people and no one has a clue what to do. No one from the private sector has knowledge of how the state is run or the procedures and statues.

Comment by Liberty Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:32 pm
Once again as much things change in Illinois, as much they stay the same………

Comment by Dog Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:35 pm
Oh come on among the Hoipoloi you should be able to buy votes for the cost of a couple of drinks. Further these are already republican votes. If this was announced in late November would it be news.

Comment by Matt Vernau Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:37 pm
My spouse, a smart and hard-working supervisor, had 7 “Exceptionals” (including for initiative, productivity and judgment) and 2 “Accomplished” on the nine specific categories in her recent evaluation, but her “overall performance rating” was “Accomplished,” not “Exceptional.” Now we know why there was this odd result: her Department doesn’t have to pay her a merit bonus.

Comment by Elgin Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:37 pm
“I am a merit comp employee with 25 years here. No raises since at least 2003. Evals for the past 24 years were all exceptional with statements by my supervisor indicating I should get a raise/bonus if they become available. Staff I supervise make more than I do because of the step increases and COLAs. I’m not getting a bonus. Why? Because when my direct supervisor retired, a new one took over and felt that because she didn’t know my work (we’ve worked together all these years), she could only indicate “met” on my eval. Total disregard for the past 19 years of evaluations. Timing? The new evaluation was done in June (8 months late). But individuals who’ve been here for less than 2 years are getting the bonus. Where’s the incentive for anyone to be a merit comp employee? I will continue to do my job the best way I can, but boy, am I looking forward to retirement! ”

This makes me feel better, because it happened in our Agency. Many of us received exceptional in the criteria only to receive no overall exceptional. When asked, why we received exceptional the reply was no one was getting an exceptional or no reason at all. Turned out that was a lie.

Comment by SPSA Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:45 pm
Another question I have about this…do employees qualify for a bonus with one or two ‘exceptional’ ratings or do they have to get them across the board?

Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:46 pm
these bonuses are pensionable.

They are a prviate sector trick to save money. no raise, just a ine time bonus so your salary stays flat overall. if you get the bonus every year at the end of the day your salary stays flat
big report out about how nationaly employee pay is soaring with large raises. this make Ill the outlyer but not doing raises.

i would say give them raises if they are doing well… thats what the private sector is doing in record amounts currently

Comment by Ghost Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:46 pm
==do employees qualify for a bonus with one or two ‘exceptional’ ratings or do they have to get them across the board?==

It has to be an overall “Exceptional” rating.

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:48 pm
Bonuses equal control. This is an example of why the union is so important in public service.

Comment by facts are stubborn things Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:49 pm
I hope Rauner keeps doing one-sided unfair things like this.

Comment by Union Man Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:51 pm
==one-sided unfair things like this==

Unfair in what way?

Comment by Demoralized Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:52 pm
===It has to be an overall “Exceptional” rating.===

Thanks

Comment by Cubs in '16 Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:55 pm
So according to the article the Administration bemoans the lack of MC pay raises but decides that the way to address that is one-off non-pensionable bonuses? Even if this becomes an annual thing how is that supposed to address the pay inequality issues between union and MC and the MC morale issues?

Comment by MyTwoCents Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:55 pm
I believe any industrious person could comb through the pay records on the Comptroller’s web site to see who got paid what. Supposedly everyone got the same payment of $3,016 in a separate payment not as part of the regular twice monthly payroll.

Comment by DuPage Dave Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:55 pm
Rauner says we can’t afford pay raises for state employees…kinda blows that out of the water, heh…

And, yes, I realize this isn’t a “raise”…but his whole premise of refusing to negotiate with AFSCME is that the state cannot afford it…

Perfidy

Comment by Consideration Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 4:57 pm
Everything that was told to the public about this bonus program is related to the new regulation adopted this summer in 80 Illinois Administrative Code (Merit Compensation System):

“Section 310.560 Merit Incentive Program
The employer may develop and implement a merit incentive program to reward and incentivize the high performance of an individual employee, group or unit. The employer shall allocate funds to compensate individual employees, groups or units deemed high performers. The compensation from the allocated funds shall be based on the satisfaction of high performance standards to be developed by the employer. The compensation for an individual employee, group or unit shall be considered a one-time bonus, not incorporated into a base salary, and offered only as non-pensionable. Any employee who accepts merit incentive program compensation pursuant to this Section does so voluntarily and with the knowledge and on the express condition that the merit incentive program compensation shall not be included in any pension calculations.”

(Source: Added at 40 Ill. Reg. 9356, effective July 1, 2016)

When this rule was proposed in March, the only explanation was:

“The new Section 310.560 is added for the Merit Compensation System’s Merit Incentive Program.” 40 Ill. Reg. 5048

I’ve never heard of any discussion of a “plan” until this article popped up. All of this appears to have been done on the quiet.

Note that 80 Illinois Administrative Code Section 310.540, Annual Merit Increase and Bonus Guidechart, has said that the allowable annual increases and bonuses for merit comp employees equal 0% since 2009. Merit comp employees have gone years without evaluations, and paid no attention to those they did receive, because there is no money involved.

Comment by Whatever Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 5:10 pm
Great Timing. Don’t you think you could have waited until Thanksgiving or Xmas, Gov. You must have got the go=ahead from Dan Proft who is so politically astute near elections that he never wins.

Comment by Roscoe Tom Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 5:13 pm
Rich, my comment may have gotten caught by a keyword filter due to one term I used.

Comment by RNUG Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 5:33 pm
Of those who got bonuses, what percentage are in Chicago?

Comment by Nobody Sent Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 5:34 pm
Oddly enough I’m thrilled for those who will get this bonus. I’m especially thrilled that it will go to those under the 100k threshold.

Is it fair? Of course not. Is it wise? Depends on who you ask.

Look at the beginning of the year I pledged to myself that I wouldn’t complain or get jealous or object to wages, or bonuses in this case under 150k. This is going to help a lot of people out with their personal finances at a time when I’m sure most of them could use it.
I wish them joy.

Comment by Honeybear Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 6:43 pm
a governor buying votes. Where have I seen this before. I wonder what the great Jim Edgar thinks of this dasterdly move.

Comment by blue dog dem Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 6:45 pm
- Honeybear -

Good on you.

That’s exactly right. Well done.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 6:46 pm
===bonuses worth a total of between $3 million and $4 million===

The state does not have the money to be giving out $3 to $4m in bonuses. What is this guy doing?

Comment by From the 'Dale to HP Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 8:09 pm
Maybe he’s attempting to buy the loyalty of certain managers with institutional knowledge that he would need to manage the state’s departments if AFSCME goes out and temps are brought in.

Comment by James Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 8:24 pm
James, we could only be so lucky as citizens of this state.

Comment by Ron Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 8:58 pm
Will ck get a bonus?

Comment by Anonymous Monday, Oct 24, 16 @ 10:03 pm
SEVEN YEARS OR NO RAISES and now its a big deal that only a portion of Merit Comp. get a paltry bonus (after taxes, maybe $2200?? C’Mon.

Comment by Big Ern McCracken Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 7:26 am
No budget
No pay
Bonus ok

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 7:55 am
Why would anyone continue to work at a job without a raise (and in a horrid political environment) for 10 years? These people need assertiveness training to have the backbone to go find a job that pays them their due and respects them.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 8:07 am
Say what you will about the power of unions, but they represent the workers and their right to be respected and paid accordingly. See? Merit comps go for 10 years without a raise! That’s where everyone is headed without union representation apparently. Sound like a promising future?

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 8:09 am
Mixed feelings. I’m one of two union members in an office with about 8 non-supervisor merit comps doing the same job as me. I thought I was better off since I’d get raises but am now frozen at Step 2 pay while they get bonuses. I guess I’m happy for them.

Comment by Leave it to BVR Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 8:18 am
The taxpayer is clambering to give more money to state workers for exceptional governing?

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 8:42 am
This is wonderful news.

Comment by Deft Wing Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 8:59 am
Something smells here. If the bonus is part of payroll then it is pensionable. If not, it probably shouldn’t have gone to the head of the line.

Comment by A Jack Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 9:15 am
I work with a lot of merit comp employees. When I say a great number of these employees are very deserving of this bonus, it feels like an understatement. I have no idea if any of them are going to be on the receiving end of this. I really hope so. However, it seems like if these bonuses can be paid, a way can be found to pay the back pay owed. I am sure this feels like a really big slap to those waiting years and still not paid.

Comment by Small Town Girl Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 9:35 am
I feel sorry for 1100 employees with stagnant wages, but wonder what the other 900 think?

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 10:55 am
Could the pension experts asserting that bonuses are not pensionable explain why? I can’t find where that position is supported by the Pension Code.

Comment by Arthur Andersen Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 1:00 pm
It used to be that you’d take lower wages (as in those people not receiving raises in decades) so that you’d have a good, stable pension. Not the case anymore. Get out while you can.

Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 1:03 pm
I began in merit comp.
My supervisors used to take the bonuses and find excuses to give themselves all of it.

The merit comp system doesn’t work. It predates AFSCME and was how thing were done until the entire system collapsed in scandals. Unions are the reform implemented within governments to fix the problems of merit comp.

Merit comp is not a solution for public service unions. History clearly shows that public service unions were the solution to the corruption, waste and fraud of merit comp.

Good lord, this is the 21st century, not the 19th.

Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 1:07 pm
This is not earned income it’s a surprise gift from the taxpayers

Comment by Rabid Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 1:54 pm
This is a common management move. Reward the people who support their agenda especially the younger more malleable ones and ignore the rest, in this case the older wiser ones. Which frustrates and often results in driving them out. The Governor just donated $46M for his own political purposes. I think we all see where his priorities really lie.

Comment by Gene Tuesday, Oct 25, 16 @ 5:25 pm