The Pine Bluff City Council Administration Committee voted 2-0 Wednesday against recommending that the full council approve a proposed ordinance that would amend a law governing non-uniformed employee pay increases.
Alderman Glen Brown Jr. sponsored the measure, which would affect salaries of those who are promoted. He sought to change an existing law to state that “When an employee is promoted to a higher classification, the employee will receive the entry level pay for the new position or his or her current pay at the time of promotion whichever is greater.”
The current law states “When an employee is promoted to a higher classification, the employee shall receive one percent for each year of full time continued experience of employment with the city, not to exceed ten percent added to the employee’s greatest salary received at the lower position.”
City of Pine Bluff Human Resources Director Vickie Conaway said the proposal would affect a total of three employees across the Street Department and the Police Department. The City of Pine Bluff has about 200 non-uniformed employees, she said.
“More people would be effected in a negative way than in a positive way,” Conaway said. But “there are no budgetary implications.”
Independent reporting for Pine Bluff & Jefferson County since 1879.
This matter could have been avoided by giving a cost of living adjustment each year, Conaway said.
“We have become stagnant in some of our positions,” she said. “If someone goes up for a promotion, there is a possibility with their pay they could go over. … Eventually, it will fix itself.”
The City of Pine Bluff abides by a living wage ordinance that gives an increase of about 1.4 percent annually to employees who are earning $11.34 per hour in 2017, Conaway said. There are 15 employees who are earning no more than that salary, she said.
Alderwoman Thelma Walker and Alderman Lloyd Holcomb Jr. were also co-sponsors. Walker changed her mind and opposed the legislation after hearing from Conaway.
Mays agreed with Walker.
“Leave it alone, let it take care of itself. If we have problems down the road, we will try to go in there and fix it. I am going to be on the employees’ side on this.”
Holcomb did not share his views on the legislation. Pine Bluff City Clerk Loretta Whitfield asked Holcomb if she should include the legislation in the agenda for the April 3 City Council meeting. He replied “yes” and added that Brown may rescind his proposal.
Mays said he would meet with Brown to reach a compromise and ask city employees their thoughts.