Reining in local spending

[Heaven]

That's fine to consider adding a larger deductible or co-insurance to town employee plans, but to be equitable then the wages/salaries need to be re-evaluated as the "total compensation" for the job needs to mirror private sector. One of the "compensations" to a town employee for accepting 60% "going rate" salary of an equivalent private sector job are the other benefits, including health care and retirement. It is unfair to rape the compensation package of the wheat and leave the chaff. I'm sorry, I mean "reap".

[secondcurve]

Originally Posted by Heaven

That's fine to consider adding a larger deductible or co-insurance to town employee plans, but to be equitable then the wages/salaries need to be re-evaluated as the "total compensation" for the job needs to mirror private sector. One of the "compensations" to a town employee for accepting 60% "going rate" salary of an equivalent private sector job are the other benefits, including health care and retirement. It is unfair to rape the compensation package of the wheat and leave the chaff. I'm sorry, I mean "reap".

Heaven:

I appreciate your point, but when unemployment is in excess of 10% the "going rate" also is lower than it used to be. This is a basic economic fact. For example, when my pension was terminated this year and my health insurance premiums went up $100.00 a month I wasn't given any salary adjustment. Rather, I considered myself lucky to retain my job. Times are tough and folks who share your thinking are contributing to the bankruptcy of this country. We all need to make due with less regardless of whether we work in the public or private sectors. No one is exempt.

[tis]

In the last couple of days I have been reviewing new quotes for my company's health insurance renewal and I am appalled! For around $500 a month you now have to have a $2500-$3000 deductible. I remember when a deductible like that would have been unheard of. I know we are limited to only a few companies here in the Lakes Region, but it is just a sad state of affairs. And I don't have any great hopes that the government would do any better. In fact I am sure they won't.

[lawn psycho]

Originally Posted by Heaven

That's fine to consider adding a larger deductible or co-insurance to town employee plans, but to be equitable then the wages/salaries need to be re-evaluated as the "total compensation" for the job needs to mirror private sector. One of the "compensations" to a town employee for accepting 60% "going rate" salary of an equivalent private sector job are the other benefits, including health care and retirement. It is unfair to rape the compensation package of the wheat and leave the chaff. I'm sorry, I mean "reap".

The problem is the public sector "total package" is often better than the private sector. Why do you think so many never leave their jobs? Much less chance of getting whacked during cutbacks and many positions are unionized so seniority trumps any chance of cutting dead weight.
And when the public employees do get the axe they whine and picket as if their jobs are a native borne right.