Randy wrote on Dec 12, 2007 2:32 AM:The writer needs to do further investigation to ensure that he is not comparing apples with oranges. Is the work done by an employee in the private sector similar to that performed in the government sector?

TruthSquad wrote on Dec 12, 2007 9:48 AM:Figures don't lie, but liars figure. Riders statistics are meaningless, since they don't compare job duties, required qualifications, tenure in the job, and bonuses that are often given by private employees, but rarely if ever given public employees. He even admits public and private employees are included in the LA region figures. He reveals he's cooking the books by his assumption that all the unidentified public employees are paid higher than private emloyees. I think he's made his point that he resents public employee pay. It's just that he has no basis to say it's unfair. And, no, I am not a public employee.

Worker wrote on Dec 12, 2007 10:31 AM:The problem is, public employees are compensated the same way union employees are. All of you that are pro union should not have a grip about the wage a public employee is receiving! Let's see what is the term used by all of you that are mad at Vista for their Charter City designation...OH YEAH... They want the city to pay the "prevailing wage" for all of the construction work that is goiing to be done. You can't have it both ways, either you want to limit them with small wages and benefits or you are for union style wages that pay and provide benefits / prevailing (union)wages.

Karl wrote on Dec 12, 2007 12:13 PM:Truth squad, as you said the author, "made his point that he resents public employee pay". You have made the point that you are either a public employee or have someone very close to you who is. I work in the private sector and my wife works in the public sector so I have first hand knowledge. I can tell you with certainty that secretaries (project coordinators, clerks etc) make more money in the public sector than in private and reap much better benefits. As far as the comment from Randy, the list in the article looks like apples to apples to me. Are there different grades of HVAC Mechanic other than years and experience?

cold666pack wrote on Dec 12, 2007 12:35 PM:This whole debate between the vast disparities between private and public sector employees reminds me of the wonderful old saying: "An appeaser is one who feeds a crocodile, hoping it will eat him last." The only way taxpayers will ever turn things around is if we take a disciplined approach and open up some of these non-specialized jobs with reasonable benefits, not lavish gold-plated insurance and retirement benefits, to the private sector. The unions continue to bleed common citizens and businesses dry by crying about how they don't have enough money to maintain parks, or do the payroll. When is a bold politician going to step up and say, OK, we relieve you of your duty and will put in someone who CAN do the work instead of whining all day. ...

Wayne wrote on Dec 12, 2007 12:50 PM:Thank you Mr. Rider for reminding us of real facts again. Let me add: Not only are public employees frequently paid more salary or wages and benefits than their civilian counterparts, they also receive the benefit of their municipal employers' widely publicized excuses for this unjustifiable inequality. AND the taxpayers who "benefit" from all of this get to pay for that publicity too!

Spin Doctor wrote on Dec 12, 2007 12:57 PM:This is a great example of how private sector businesses have used the import of low cost immigrant (legal and illegal) to drive down real wages. Private sector wages have been fallng for years when compared to the cost of living while public wages are keeping up, by law. Uneducated and illegal low wage immigrants will not be hired by government agencies and that is what is causing this discrepency.

theWolf wrote on Dec 12, 2007 1:00 PM:The real question is this: Faced with the 2 job choices relatively the same, which one would you choose? The one in government or the private sector? The answer is so painfully obvious only a union rep would dispute it.

josil wrote on Dec 12, 2007 1:13 PM:The problem in comparing public and private employee pay and, especially, benefits goes further than monetary compensation...much further. If you look at the personnel attrition rates of public and private organizations you would be startled. This is especially true of public school employment, but also of public employment generally. The real cost of public employment is the inability to eliminate the incompetent or semi-competent (at all levels). So, they are paid and overpaid through an entire career and then given more than ample pensions besides. I do not make this claim out of jealousy as i have had a long career in municipal, state, and federal government.

Suzie wrote on Dec 12, 2007 2:21 PM:I sure wish I had realized the diference in pay when I started my career, I certainly would have gone with the school option instead of the healthcare version.....I could have been retired, with great benifits.

Hilarious wrote on Dec 12, 2007 2:22 PM:Who cares..you'd couldn't pay me enough to LIVE in LA!

maddtaxpayer wrote on Dec 12, 2007 5:11 PM:Yep, just what I thought. Finally my suspicions are confirmed! Keep IT Up. Screw the public sector, I am tapped out! And to ARNOLD, tell me again who is not paying their fair share towards their health care costs? The Public Sector

Jay wrote on Dec 12, 2007 5:42 PM:Public employees fought tooth and nail to prevent disclosure of their salaries. Recently the California Supreme Court held that all such salaries are matter of public record which must be published. The dirty big secret is now out. For example in the city of Santa Clara 37% of its workers are paid more than $100,000 per year. We,the hardwoking private sector taxpayers have no one to represent us in municipal labor negotiations because the politicians are owned by the employees' unions. The fos isn't just guarding the hen house. He's deep inside having a taxpayer taco. Enough is enough. It's time for a constitutional amendment prohibiting municipal employees, and their unions, for contributing to their bosses campaigns.

Patrice wrote on Dec 12, 2007 7:29 PM:Like Suzie, I would have made different choices in my career field had the truth been publicized like Richard is doing here. Keep up the good work! The truth will help young people go to the trough and reap the rewards instead of simply paying taxes for others.

MrDaMan wrote on Dec 12, 2007 11:11 PM:Common sense in a public forum? Thank you for your commentary Mr. Rider. The private sector pays employees with their money, the public sector pays employees with YOUR (taxpayer) money. Incentives for the private sector include getting what you pay for. Incentives for the public sector is paying to get gouged to pay for getting gouged again. Uncommon sense is too common as a matter of public policy.

jvc wrote on Dec 13, 2007 12:19 AM:What private sector, where ? Only job benefits in public sector, stop the the pretence! A private sector job today is no real job if there are no benefits!

4SRanchEngineer wrote on Dec 13, 2007 10:14 AM:Sure Rider, public sector employees get higher pay, but they don't get to work the longer hours, receive the lesser benefits, and have the lower job security of us private sector workers.

Albert wrote on Dec 13, 2007 10:14 AM:This continues the enduring story of politics in our time--perception vs reality--rumor vs truth.These people are still riding on laurels of the past where public sector jobs WERE ACTUALLY lower paid. Maybe the public will eventually catch up w/ what's true NOW but it seems unlikely. W/ illegal immigration supposedly the issue of the day we still have the presidential aspirants w/ the worst records GETTING THE TOP VOTES.This is also true of both of our California Senators who are both pathetic on this issue.Anyone for a move to New Zealand?

John wrote on Dec 16, 2007 11:33 AM:Get a job in the public sector so you can enjoy those great benefits!

Solution wrote on Dec 16, 2007 11:41 AM:It's simple... all private employees need to compare their wages to public employees and ASK FOR A RAISE AND BENEFITS! Stop whining about someone making more than you and do something about it. It's how the public employees moved ahead of the private employees. Oh, and maybe join a union, it seems to work.

Richard Rider wrote on Dec 18, 2007 5:52 PM:What these public employees are gloating over is their successful "rent seeking." This is the economic term for using government to confiscate through force what one can't earn from voluntary exchange. And make no mistake -- government is force. Public employee labor unions work hard to elect their compliant comrades to office, and then 'negotiate' with the people they elected for raises, pensions, etc., along with guaranteed employment regardless of need or performance. The government then complies by taking more money from taxpayers and/or cutting services. If you think government is not the use of force, try refusing to pay your taxes.

Richard Rider wrote on Dec 18, 2007 5:59 PM:TruthSquad writes that my figures are "meaningless." He castigates me for lying with my stats. But these are not MY stats. These are the stats of the Democrat administration of the city of Los Angeles. If they didn't think these figures were germane to considering pay levels for public employees, they would not have published them! The website is linked in the article, for skeptics to check out.

John wrote on Jan 26, 2008 12:09 PM:I agree public sector employees frequently receive pay and benefits (particularly the pension) that are completely ridiculous.

The answer wrote on Feb 24, 2008 8:11 AM:Let's all work for free. The only people that should make money are investors!