City Council discusses salary negotiations and employee retention strategies

The Gardner Public Service Committee convened on May 30, 2025, to discuss critical issues surrounding employee salaries and retention strategies within the city. The meeting focused on the ongoing budget considerations and the implications of salary negotiations for city employees.

The committee began by addressing the need to negotiate lower starting salaries for new positions while allowing flexibility for experienced hires. This approach aims to balance the city's budgetary constraints with the necessity of attracting qualified personnel. It was noted that while lower starting salaries could save the city money in the long run, the retention of employees is equally important to avoid the costs associated with high turnover rates.

A significant point of discussion was the disparity in salaries across various positions within the city. For instance, the city assessor's salary was highlighted as being insufficient compared to newly created roles in community development, which offered higher starting salaries. This discrepancy has raised concerns among department heads regarding fairness and competitiveness in compensation.

The committee acknowledged the challenges of retaining employees, particularly in light of a hiring freeze that has been in place since October. This freeze was implemented to manage budgetary pressures, but it has also contributed to staffing shortages. The committee emphasized the importance of developing a system that supports long-term employee retention to mitigate the costs of training new hires repeatedly.

Further discussions included the evaluation of the step system for nonunion and department head positions. It was revealed that many employees, including those with long tenures, are underpaid compared to their counterparts in other communities. The committee expressed a commitment to ensuring that all employees are compensated fairly according to their experience and contributions.

As the meeting concluded, the committee members reiterated their agreement on the necessity of addressing salary issues to foster a more stable workforce. They acknowledged the importance of ongoing negotiations and the need for a comprehensive approach to salary adjustments that would benefit both the city and its employees. The committee plans to continue these discussions in future meetings, focusing on actionable steps to improve employee compensation and retention strategies.