Pay Hikes OK’d, Thornton Votes No for Managers

CREST HAVEN — Most county employees recently got raises, by either union contract, or freeholder resolution for non-union employees. Those hikes range from 3 to 5 percent.
Due to state mandates and the economic downturn, “It likely will be the last salary increase for any county employee,” said Administrator Stephen O’Connor.
However, the 66-page resolution that includes raises to AFSCME members and non-union employees (some must be so by state regulation) got a thumbs down only for managers’ raises from Freeholder Gerald Thornton at the Tue., July 13 meeting.
The rest of the board (Freeholder Ralph Bakley Sr. was absent recovering from knee surgery) approved all pay hikes.
“I have difficulty passing this without any discussion on management increases,” Thornton objected.
He said management employees were given increases of 3-5 percent, with some making $70,000-$90,000 annually while 22 home health aides were laid off earlier this month.
The majority of them were offered employment with Visiting Nurse Association of Central Jersey, but that meant loss of county benefits.
There are some union employees who earn more than some managers, it was noted.
“When was this decided, the amount of these increases?” Thornton asked. “I wasn’t at any meeting.”
“This was a major policy change. I would ask that part of the management increases be tabled,” he said.
The remainder of employees’ raises, he said, did not draw his ire, as did those for management workers.
“I can’t in good conscience do that and have people losing jobs,” said Thornton. He termed it an “extreme makeover.”
He added that over 100 employees got 3 percent increases while the state has decreed budgets can only increase 2 percent next year.
Freeholder Director Daniel Beyel responded that there had been discussion as the current budget was being prepared.
Beyel said those managers had done as asked, trimmed their departments’ budgets, and that would save the government money.
Those at the higher end of the scale got less than those at the lower end, he said.
“Unfortunately, you waited until today to say something for it,” Beyel said.
Treasurer Edmund Grant said the method of increases had been in use “two or three years.”
Beyel noted that many managers had “done yeoman’s work.”
“Contrary to your opinion,” retorted Thornton, “This is the first year since 1980 we have laid off employees.”
He added that he was troubled hearing board peers use the term “taking care of my people.”
“In my opinion, all county employees are our people,” said Thornton. “I resent that.”
“I tell you, this isn’t fair. You cannot, in good conscience, ask union employees to reduce benefits…and give management employees more money,” said Thornton.
“Then you can vote for it, I vote no,” Thornton said.
“Everybody has to be taken care of fairly. The amount was budgeted,” said Administrator Stephen O’Connor to Thornton.”
Thornton began speaking.
“Let him finish,” ordered Beyel.
“Right now, Mr. O’Connor, I happen to be in discussion with the elected officials of Cape May County. When I finish, if the board allows it, you can make your comment.”
Beyel asked O’Connor to continue.
Again, Thornton cited the 22 laid-off employees, and noted he was “not against the management people. I am very happy with them. The only thing I have reservation with is the salary increase. I will make that point over and over.”
“I would also like to tell you 22 of those people have other jobs,” said Beyel.
O’Connor noted, “There are plenty of management making less than people in the (American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees) union. The union hasn’t given up anything,” O’Connor said. He said the raises being given were “based on the contract settled for the union.”
He said union members were not being “harmed in any way.”
Thornton told Beyel he was not aware of the salary hikes prior to walking into the building at about 3 p.m.
“Your comments are wrong,” said Beyel. He said each freeholder was given a copy of the meeting agenda on Friday.
He said Thornton was present when the budget had been discussed.
Not fazed, Thornton told Beyel, “That is the reason why we should have work sessions, so the freeholders are in formed and have a discussion in public on issues. This has never been forthcoming,” said Thornton.
“If he (Thornton) doesn’t want to introduce this resolution, assign it to another freeholder,” said Vice Director Ralph Sheets.
Thornton introduced all his resolutions except 503-10, which dealt with the salary increase.
“I will introduce resolution 530-10 for adoption,” said Freeholder Leonard Desiderio.
When votes were cast, Thornton noted “No on the management part of the resolution, and yes on the resolution for contractual raises.”
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com