Statement of AFSCME Maryland Director Patrick Moran on the Governor's Salary Commission Recommendations for Pay Hikes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
December 16, 2009
Statement of AFSCME Maryland Director Patrick Moran on the Governor's Salary Commission Recommendations for Pay Hikes
(Baltimore-MD) AFSCME Maryland Director Patrick Moran issued the following statement today:
"AFSCME Maryland is shocked and disappointed by the unanimous recommendations made by the Governor's Salary Commission on Tuesday night. Their decision that the governor should receive a $5,000 pay raise in 2013 and 2014--is unfathomable in these tough economic times. The Commission went even further, recommending 3.3 percent and 3.2 percent pay increases for the lieutenant governor, the attorney general, the comptroller and the state treasurer.
Clearly, the Commission failed to take into account the fact that our state budget is in deep crisis. State workers are enduring furloughs, layoffs, short staffing and increased caseloads--with no relief in sight. These
front-line workers who serve the people of Maryland, struggle with less and less, while those on the top of the pay scale are now magically being recommended for raises. How will these raises be paid for? Will the legislature raise revenues? Will they cut vital state services, yet again? Yesterday's recommendations seemed to have been made in a vacuum, completely ignoring state employees on the bottom of the pay scale, while rewarding those on the very top. It shouldn't happen on Wall St. and it certainly shouldn't happen in the State of Maryland.
Now, more than ever, it is essential that we remember our priorities in Maryland, and that the people of this state come first. AFSCME Maryland continues to fight for state employees and the people of Maryland. In these tough economic times, our members and the services they provide are our top priority."
The American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) is the largest public sector union with 1.4 million members who provide the vital services that make America happen and advocate for prosperity and opportunity for all working families.
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