Employees of the City of Brentwood again took to the city council meeting to express frustration of working without a contract and fair wages.
Since July 1, employees have been working without a contract after a 3-year agreement had expired. During negotiations, which began in January, more than 50 proposals have been sent to the city, which have been rejected.
At the July 23 meeting, Holley Bishop spoke (1:45 hour mark) where she stated a survey was done at a cost of six-figures.
Bishop said the council approved a compensation study costing six-figures and showed employees were underpaid. She explained the study was then reevaluated not by the company but “other entities” and now most of the employees are overpaid. She also warned employees could be “Y rated” – not a pay decrease, but not eligible for a pay increase.
“Never in my 20 years in HR have I seen a class and compensation study thrown out,” said Bishop asking if the city was not going to use it why did they pay for it. “The city needs to make employees feel valued and Y rating is not valuing employees.”
During the August 27 meeting, 7 employees spoke up after others had spoken over the past few months encouraging the council to operate in good faith and provide competitive salaries and benefits.
Jim Howard, street supervisor, said things have changed over the past few years and good employees were leaving for other opportunities and less desirable cities.
“Employees like myself feel undervalued and made to feel like we are just a number and easily replaced and made to feel that if we are not happy with the city’s new financial plan that we can find new employment elsewhere,” said Howard who said they invested in a cost analysis and then it was thrown out and a new one presented to them. “One that cuts costs at the expense of our employees.”
Jaylene Walker, President of the Brentwood Employees Association Miscellaneous office division of 96 members, 41 who live in Brentwood.
“I find it hard to believe knowing all of this, hearing us, and seeing us week after week, that you are taking us seriously. We are the citizens, employees, the ones who are here making everything you guys put out happen,” stated Walker. “We don’t work for you. We work for the city of Brentwood and its citizens. You guys were not elected to manager employees, you were elected to represent Brentwood. Not the employees. All we are asking for is true and fair consideration with surrounding agencies and comparable cities have all received cost of living increases.”
Staff have spoken at multiple meetings over the past few months encouraging the council to operate in good faith and provide competitive salaries and benefits.
Rebacca Mares, a Brentwood police dispatcher shared how they are at critically low staffing levels at just 66 percent. She said employees are burdened and over the years have seen many employees leave.
“Brentwood’s pay and benefits are currently among the lowest in Contra Costa compared to similar agencies,” said Mares noting dispatchers in San Leandro earn 17% more, Contra Costa County Sheriff earn 9% more, and Martinez police earn 12.89% more, Concord Police earn 16.29% more.”
Another staff person highlighted the hypocrisy of the city council and belittling council members show to other members of the council and directors at the city yet customer service training is mandated to employees, DEI training which has become political ideology versus inclusion by hiring a “ethically questionable”. She also suggest Brentwood should not strive to align its values and services with the Antioch City Council because Brentwood expects more.
The staff person also said the cost of the salary-compensation study $296k.
2024 Election, City of Brentwood Candidates
Mayor
City Council District 1
- Faye Maloney
- Anita Roberts
City Council District 3
- Jovita Mendoza
- Brian Oftedal
For employment opportunities, https://www.governmentjobs.com/careers/brentwoodca
2 comments
I remeber years ago looking at Brentwood, as an opportunity opened up in my field. They wanted a very high level of expertise right out the gate as stated in the listing, but the wages they were offering were entry level to the field I work in, at best. Needless to say, I passed.
The wages they pay would not allow someone to buy a house in Brentwood, by far, or even rent- unless it was somewhere lime Village Drive. Whereas several of my counterparts that I know personally live and own in Brentwood doing the exact job they were offering, but elsewhere.
Wow there is a lot of openings in Brentwood. Now I know why. It cost a minimum of 30% someone’s yearly salary to replace them. Very short sighted of them.
Comments are closed.