Workers demand fair wages amid rising living costs

During a recent Kings County government meeting, public works employees voiced their concerns regarding salary increases and job title changes, highlighting the challenges they face in maintaining essential services amid rising living costs and staffing shortages.

Jason Ragoza, a janitor supervisor with 28 years of experience, emphasized the need for salary adjustments due to a 13% increase in county insurance premiums and rising costs of living, including food and fuel. He noted that the janitorial department is currently understaffed by five positions, which has led to increased workloads for remaining staff. Ragoza argued that competitive pay is crucial for retaining and attracting qualified employees, especially as other agencies offer better compensation for similar roles.

Rebecca Dracul, a janitor with three and a half years at Kings County, echoed these sentiments, citing a 2.9% rise in the consumer price index over the past year. She highlighted the essential nature of their work during the COVID-19 pandemic, where janitorial staff ensured a clean and safe environment for county operations. Dracul called for wage increases to match inflation, stressing the physical and health risks associated with their duties.

Manny Benuelos, a building operations specialist, raised concerns about proposed changes to job titles that he believes undermine the technical responsibilities of his role. He argued that the county's salary studies do not accurately reflect the demands of their positions, particularly given their 24-hour standby requirements for critical systems in county buildings.

Jacob Morita, representing senior building maintenance workers, opposed a proposed title change that would downgrade their positions. He pointed out discrepancies in a recent salary study that compared their roles to lower-level positions, resulting in Kings County employees being significantly underpaid compared to their counterparts in other regions.

The discussions underscored a growing frustration among public works employees regarding compensation and recognition of their essential roles in maintaining county operations. As the board considers these concerns, the employees are advocating for fair wages and job titles that accurately reflect their responsibilities and contributions to the community.