SALARY ISSUES FOR MSU CLASSIFIED STAFF (all campuses)

 

CEPAC would like to present the following data in compelling demonstration of the dire need for a cost of living wage increase for classified staff, and for an elevation in MAP incentive awards.  In February/March 2004, in collaboration with the various MUS Staff Senates, and in support of the MUS Labor Management Committee’s call for salary raises, CEPAC gathered information regarding classified, fulltime salaries currently being paid on each MSU campus.    The facts are more shocking than we anticipated:

 

  • There are fulltime MSU classified employees earning as little as $14,238 per year
    • The lowest fulltime salary on each campus is:
      • Havre: $14,238 per year
        • .5% MAP Achievement Pay at this salary equates to $71.19 per year
      • Bozeman: $14,661 per year
        • .5% MAP Achievement Pay at this salary equates to $73.90 per year
      • Billings and Great Falls: $16,838 per year
        • .5% MAP Achievement Pay at this salary equates to $84.19 per year

 

  • 53% of fulltime MSU classified employees earn less than $25,000 per year
    • .5% MAP Achievement Pay equates to a maximum 6 cents/hr or $125/yr

 

  • The MSU classified workforce is loyal (48% have longevity1) but:
    •  74% earn less than $30,000 per year
    • longevity1 is involved in 75% of cases in order to earn more than $30,000

 

  • The classified staff must meet the rising cost of living on wages frozen since November 1, 2002.
    • Relevant cost of living data:
      • Incomes ranging upwards from $37,500 qualify for low interest home financing in Montana (http://commerce.state.mt.us/Housing/Hous_Prog_FLP_S_questions.html  Montana Board of Housing)
      • Median house prices have increased by 31% in Bozeman, 28% in Gallatin Co, and 10% in Yellowstone Co (2002-32) (Cheryl Heath, Center for Applied Economic Research, MSU-Billings)
      • Nationally, since 2002 when classified had their last salary increase:
        • The buying power of the dollar has decreased 3.22% (http://www.aier.org/cgi-aier/colcalculator.cgi American Institute for Economic Research)
        • The cost of staple requirements has generally increased.  For example (http://www.bls.gov US Dpt of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics):
          • electricity 2%
          • utility gas 18%
          • gasoline 17%
          • 1lb loaf white bread -2%
          • 1lb hamburger 7%
          • 12 eggs 22%
          • 1 lb ground roast coffee -1%
          • 1lb apples 5%
          • 1lb lettuce 5%

 

 

 

1 “longevity” refers to staff with at least five years’ employment at MSU; 2 preliminary figures 2003

SALARY ISSUES FOR MSU CLASSIFIED STAFF (Bozeman)

 

On the Bozeman campus only, CEPAC invited classified staff to identify themselves in cases where it is necessary work two jobs in order to meet their families’ basic financial needs.  There are 998 full time classified employees3 on the payroll.  Clearly, current classified salaries do not meet the cost of living:

 

  • 209 staff members shared with us the stark measures necessary for them to augment their income, but the total number practicing similar methods is inestimable. 

Respondents owned to:

 

    • Supplementing their income in a variety of ways, including:
      • At least 13% of the fulltime workforce is forced to find additional employment in order to meet their families’ basic financial needs
      • Working overtime
      • Overdrafts and loans
      • Dependence of family and/or social services contributions
      • Maintaining spousal/partner income

 

    • Saving money by, among other means:
      • Living in modest, low-cost housing
      • Commuting from long distances (Clyde Park-Three Forks)
      • Sacrificing visits to family, vacations, and all kinds of entertainment
      • Keeping thermostats low
      • Choosing between utilities and food
      • Driving old, unreliable vehicles
      • Renting rooms at home
      • Deferring retirement
      • Spending emergency “nest eggs” and other savings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3 Personnel & Payroll Services’ data, 2/2004