Pay Cut Urged for All City Staff, Not Just Police
The South Pasadena Taxpayers Assn. was quoted (Aug. 12) as advocating a wage and/or benefit package cut for the South Pasadena Police Department. This statement is out of context, as the SPTA is on record with the city suggesting a 5% pay cut for all department heads, coupled with a 2.5% pay cut for all other city employees. Not just the police!
While we indeed stated that the South Pasadena police and fire benefit-to-wage ratio of 62%, that is, 62 cents for every dollar of wages, is outrageous and needs to be reduced, the news item singled out and named only the Police Department.
The last time South Pasadena took applications for the Fire Department, 100 to 150 people stood in line for two days just to get an application. That says all that is necessary about wages, hours and working conditions in the public sector.
TOM BLESEK
Founding Member
South Pasadena Taxpayers Assn.
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