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Union: Custodians, bus drivers need salary upgrades
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Related Topics: Baltimore County
Baltimore County (Map, News) - Lora Williams finds herself making a similar plea every year: Baltimore County’s bus drivers and custodians need salary upgrades.
But this year, Williams told board members that the county has not upgraded the pay scale for custodians in more than 25 years
“Most of our custodians take on additional 40-hour-a-week jobs to support their families,” said Williams, president for the local American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees union.
“We’re asking Baltimore County Public Schools to rectify this disparity.”
In Baltimore County, custodian pay starts at $9.37 per hour and maxes out at $11.40 per hour, Williams said.
Though support personnel are eligible for longevity and cost-of-living adjustments, the wages are low compared to most other Maryland counties, which typically start custodians at $10.82 per hour, she said.
School bus attendants in Baltimore County start at $8.66 per hour, compared to about $11.77 per hour elsewhere.
Bus drivers on average start between $13.89 and $17.65 per hour in Maryland, but start at $11.85 in Baltimore County, said Williams.
School officials said comment for this article would be “inappropriate,” citing upcoming contract negotiations.
jmalarkey@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
2:13 PM MST on Thu., May. 10, 2007 re: "County workers union rejects pension changes"
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5:24 AM MST on Wed., May. 9, 2007
re: "County workers union rejects pension changes"
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6:36 AM MST on Fri., May. 4, 2007
re: "Union rejects health care offer"
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Examiner Reader said:
I am not sure where Ms. Malarkey is getting her information from, There is no "Law requiring governments to prefund retirement benefits." There is however GASB which is an accounting standard that has governments accounting for and paying for other post employment benefits, ie. health care, so they will be able to maintain their AAA bond ratings. Within GASB there is no mention of pensions. I sure do wish that reporters would verify their facts prior to printing such information. It should also be noted that this article depicts the union memebers in a positive light, which is good, but recent artcles about the BCFPE appeared to show the union as the "BAD GUYS". Thank you Ms. Malarkey for your true and honest information. Not.
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Examiner Reader said:
finaly, a union that has sence to protect their members rather than line the pockets of a few. Thank You ASCME How many of the members of the other Unions voted to ratify because they were strong armed . Every employee out there should be writing to their Councilman right now and letting them know how this retirement proposal affects their family .and demand that the portion affecting prior and existing employees be removed..not approved, whether you voted to ratify or not.
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Examiner Reader said:
I am a little confused by Johnny Olzewski's comment --- The future action hings on the FPE vote? There are 6 unions in Baltimore County, why does the future of all employees depend on this one vote? The contract was ratified by a vote of 152 to 146! Since the majority of the members (corrections and 911) were given a two step upgrade, those numbers say a lot. 146 people were willing to give up the upgrades to protect their benefits. And what about the other 1300 employees represented by this union, many who are on the low end of the pay scale and can not afford to join for the right to vote. These changes affect them also. Remember councilman, you are in an elected position. These are not just employees, they are tax payers!
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