Essential Workers?

[Hay Dude]

And don’t government employees get a huge amount of time off (vacation time, sick pay, paid holidays, etc.)
I believe there are also education and other benefits very uncommon to the private sector.

 

[newbury]

Most federal pensions aren’t that much. For example the formula for the pension is: the average of the last three years salary times 1% times the number of years of service. Do the math. For a salary of $75k with 30 years service, the annual pension is $22,500. Of course federal employees also pay social security, so we can also collect that. Also we have the option to withhold funds to contribute to the thrift savings program (similar to a 401k). Many corporate employees do better in retirement.

That's the new system, FERS, it relies on SS, your pension, and the TSP (Thrift Savings Plan). The key is to invest wisely in the TSP. SS is probably going to die.
Under the old system, CSRS, we got a higher % but no SS and not as much TSP.

Government employment has always provided more long term job security than private industry, but lower salaries.

That's the way it was throughout my career. Most of us scientists were not money hungry and preferred the job stability. The contractor people that made bigger $$ for the same work also stood to lose their job if the contract was not awarded.

But then I came from the cohort that grew up on the words "“Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country”.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

It’s getting more brazen as essential workers have gone from hero to zero if not vaccinated.

Law Enforcement is experiencing both retirements and vaccine termination as crime becomes embolden.

Brazen mobs of dozens or maybe 50+ attacking/looting during store hours in high end locations targeting multiple Bay Area retail.

But it’s just property crime and not where we live is the old refrain but now it is coming to you.

Link to upscale Bay Area community of Walnut Creek with high end jewelers, retailers.

video shows perps driving late model cars and agile… doubt any retired folks doing this

California Nordstrom ransacked by 80 looters in ski masks with crowbars and weapons: Witness — Fox News

Roughly 80 looters stormed a Nordstrom location in Walnut Creek, California, on Saturday night.

apple.news

We did a project there a few years back, can't believe that area would have a problem. It's gonna be a wakeup call for sure.

 

[PuffyC]

And don’t government employees get a huge amount of time off (vacation time, sick pay, paid holidays, etc.)
I believe there are also education and other benefits very uncommon to the private sector.

It’s not just how much you get, it’s how much you can keep and roll over. Check out Benefits. Benefits that generous are unheard of for the majority of private sector jobs.

 

[Hay Dude]

It’s not just how much you get, it’s how much you can keep and roll over. Check out Benefits. Benefits that generous are unheard of for the majority of private sector jobs.

Yes this is true.
“Salary” might be higher in private sector, but salary + benefits in government sector are rarely matched in private sector

 

[RjCorazza]

I certainly did not get rich as a paid firefighter over my 30 year career, but I am now enjoying the great retirement benefits.

 

[Rowdy Redneck]

If I had a federal job I would want to be working in an embassy or consulate overseas. US holidays plus local holidays!

 

[plowhog]

We did a project there a few years back, can't believe that area would have a problem. It's gonna be a wakeup call for sure.

I can't be a wakeup call, because it's not an isolated incident. Due to rampant retail theft, nearby Walgreens and CVS have closed multiple stores, permanently, and curtailed hours at remaining stores. Surprisingly, when they do that, in response to crime, the community gets mad at THEM, the greedy stores, not the criminals and perps who cause the change.

The genesis of this was lessening the penalties for stealing. Under $1,000 in theft now in CA is a minor crime that is rarely pursued. Criminal gangs bring calculators-- so when the shopping cart hits $950 in value they push it out the door and load the contents into the car and drive away. The security guards are instructed to not get involved-- since taking any sort of action could cause even greater liability by the store.

Walgreens to Close 5 Stores in San Francisco, Citing ‘Organized’ Shoplifting (Published 2021)

One of the stores was targeted at least five times by the same man, who drew widespread attention for raiding the store on a bike and was later arrested, the authorities said.

www.nytimes.com

Ain't life grand ...

 

[Dftodd]

I will say the about 10 years ago, Indiana overhauled it's DMV. It's rare that I now spend more than 10 minutes in there. The service is great, fast, and friendly. Fantastic. Probably a model for all other states.

They revamped our offices a few years back. Was in and out within 20 minutes after that. Although this year was a different story.

People were buying vehicles left and right, trailers, boats and other things requiring a registration.

Waited in line for 2 hours to register my new truck back in February. Hopefully it won't be as bad this week when I swing by to change the addresses on my license, and vehicles.

 

[two_bit_score]

I have only gone to the local DMV office for a vehicle registration once in about 10 years. It took me longer to walk from my car in the parking lot to the building than to complete the transaction. Less than 5 minutes.

I normally register vehicles and trailers on-line. The coffee is much better at home.

 

[BoylermanCT]

COVID was the best thing to happen with the CT DMV. Pre-Covid it took me 3 hours to register a new trailer even though the online queue said the wait was 5 minutes. Post COVID you make an appointment online and you show up, no lines, no wait. Trailer registration took 5 minutes and my driver's license renewal with added verified ID took 7 minutes. Best customer service I have ever seen. Both times I have told them this is the best DMV experience I have had in any state.

 

[ultrarunner]

COVID was the best thing to happen with the CT DMV. Pre-Covid it took me 3 hours to register a new trailer even though the online queue said the wait was 5 minutes. Post COVID you make an appointment online and you show up, no lines, no wait. Trailer registration took 5 minutes and my driver's license renewal with added verified ID took 7 minutes. Best customer service I have ever seen. Both times I have told them this is the best DMV experience I have had in any state.

COVID was the best thing to happen with the CT DMV. Pre-Covid it took me 3 hours to register a new trailer even though the online queue said the wait was 5 minutes. Post COVID you make an appointment online and you show up, no lines, no wait. Trailer registration took 5 minutes and my driver's license renewal with added verified ID took 7 minutes. Best customer service I have ever seen. Both times I have told them this is the best DMV experience I have had in any state.

The problem for my 16 year old niece is there were no appointments to be had within 200 mile radius from home... not even booking months out...

 

[ultrarunner]

We need more essential workers...

 

[Frankenkubota]

View attachment 721703

Here's an example...non- teaching staffing has far outpaced teaching staffing in the last 50 years. The non teachers primary role seems to be to think up new things for teachers to do that have nothing to do with teaching our students.

AMEN

 

[Frankenkubota]

I always thought a good improvement to the system would be to have the committee assignments made by rotation. For example, the representative from the 26th district of Texas will be on the AG committee for the 2023-2024 Congress. This would be irrespective of party or years of service. These are representatives, not experts. For something like AG, I would put in the rules that a district must be at least 50% rural (by area) to be considered. At the very least, committee assignments should be made by drawing names of representatives like a raffle. They each get x number of tickets to place in each hopper. That way, if you really want on the AG committee, you put your tickets there. The other side benefit is that this lessens the power of parties as they no longer control who gets to be on the committees.

The other problem with term limits s that it leaves the staff in place and those unelected persons have far too much power as it is.

Those unelected staff are what I believe is referred to as the dark state. All they gotta do is slow down a little and everything stops.

The only feasible solution is to limit government involvement in almost everything.

I don't see that happening.

 

[Alan W.]

Our state removed the drivers licensing from the circuit clerks office. This was 50% of their workload. When the newspaper interviewed the clerk about how many jobs would be lost, she informed them that there would be no jobs lost. Go figure.

The county school system is pathetic. Almost every position has an assistant with some having multiple. The amount of vehicles that they supply is staggering for a county of our size.
For a system that was shut down most of the time lately they still needed to raise the school tax.

All counties have an EMS director that does nothing and has no authority over individual agencies. I can only guess that their loneliness was the reasoning in hiring them assistants with brand new loaded trucks also.

 

[bmg88201]

It is true you can probably get a higher salary in the private sector, but as a retired federal employee I had excellent benefits. Paid holidays or double time working the holiday, some of the best health insurance, dental and vision in the country, I earned 4 weeks of paid sick leave per year which I could carry over to the next year. Some staff had 2000-3000 hrs of sick leave built up. I earned 5 weeks of vacation leave per year which I could build up to 800 hrs if not used over the time. when I retired I cashed in 750 hrs of vacation time, that amounted to $51,000. Too bad the IRS took $19,000 of it, ugh !!!!!

 

[Frankenkubota]

It is true you can probably get a higher salary in the private sector, but as a retired federal employee I had excellent benefits. Paid holidays or double time working the holiday, some of the best health insurance, dental and vision in the country, I earned 4 weeks of paid sick leave per year which I could carry over to the next year. Some staff had 2000-3000 hrs of sick leave built up. I earned 5 weeks of vacation leave per year which I could build up to 800 hrs if not used over the time. when I retired I cashed in 750 hrs of vacation time, that amounted to $51,000. Too bad the IRS took $19,000 of it, ugh !!!!!

No offence but your discription above is a huge part of the problem.

First, l don't blame you or anyone for taking advantage of any situation,, that's what most people do, low hanging fruit.

Second....I was married to a govt employee for over 20 years and her entire family was employed by the govt, family business. I've heard all the stories first hand! Honestly, I liked most of them but wouldn't have hired a one of them.

Again, good for you, sounds like you took a ride on the gravy train!

 

[Torvy]

Second....I was married to a govt employee for over 20 years and her entire family was employed by the govt, family business. I've heard all the stories first hand! Honestly, I liked most of them but wouldn't have hired a one of them.

I am seeing this first hand during my 5 years in public schools. The attendance alone would have 30% of my co-workers fired from a private sector job. Don't get me wrong, there are some teachers who do considerably more work than average. Unfortunately, pay is based on time in job, not how hard or well you work. As long as you don't touch the students and don't touch the money, it is almost impossible to be fired.

 

[bmg88201]

No offence but your discription above is a huge part of the problem.

First, l don't blame you or anyone for taking advantage of any situation,, that's what most people do, low hanging fruit.

Second....I was married to a govt employee for over 20 years and her entire family was employed by the govt, family business. I've heard all the stories first hand! Honestly, I liked most of them but wouldn't have hired a one of them.

Again, good for you, sounds like you took a ride on the gravy train!

I was a psychiatric RN on a locked psych ward at the VA. I’ve been assaulted numerous times. Thrown against the wall, spit on, cussed at daily, hit by chairs, kicked and punched by psychotic patients. Worked with severe PTSD, schizophrenia, manic bipolar vets that’s I had to take down and in the hallway and stick a needle full of Geodon in their ass. Yeah, I’d say I earned every penny.