By MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ
Managing Editor
editor@sbnewspaper.com
Amidst growing concerns amplified by across-the-board longevity pay cuts and a reduction in departmental funds, several dozen employees from San Benito’s city shop – the workers who pave the streets, attend to water and sewer mains as well as maintain the town’s parks – made a bold statement Tuesday before the city commission: Don’t forget about us.
Mario Gonzales, one such City of San Benito employee, stood before the city commission on Sept. 6 during a regular meeting; behind him were nearly 100 workers who packed the Municipal Building while he delivered what city officials called an eloquent speech during the public comments portion.
“All of these men who stand here before you are the true servants of this City of San Benito. We have all stood back and watched some of our fellow employees shame our community and overshadow all the hard work it takes to keep this city alive,” Gonzales said. “We all have important roles to serve the residents of San Benito from the moment that you wake to the moment you go to sleep. The services that we all use day in and day out, all because of the hard work and commitment to the city.”
Gonzales continued, “When you get up in the morning and take a shower, brush your teeth, the water that reaches your faucets, sinks, toilets, then goes down your drains are made possible by the water mains and sewer mains that are serviced and maintained by these men seven days a week and in all hours of the night.”
Mayor Joe H. Hernandez said he was appreciative of Gonzales’ remarks, but more importantly, the mayor said his words hit close to home.
“Those employees are always on my mind. They reflect when my dad was alive. He was always a laborer, and my heart goes out to them,” Hernandez said. “I do appreciate those workers. They’re the heart of the community, the backbone. Not that I don’t appreciate fire, police, and administration; I do, but those (laborers) do come to mind more often.”
Fellow City Commissioner Celeste Sanchez concurred.
“I didn’t get a chance to respond to Mario Gonzales personally because he left the meeting before I had the chance. But I would like to take the opportunity now to say thank you for making your point,” Sanchez said. “He certainly has made us aware and brought concerns to our attention. In all of this we haven’t forgotten all of the employees, but I thank him for bringing it up to us. He did it so well, and so professionally, and very eloquently.”
Gonzales, however, was after more than recognition and stressed fair and equal pay.
“When you drive to work, the streets that you drive on are also serviced and maintained by these men. When you take your children to the park and see the smiles on their face, these parks are also serviced and maintained by these men. And when you arrive here during the day, the vicinity and area that you all sit on are also maintained by these men, so the questions arise: Has anyone bothered to check how much a laborer gets paid?” Gonzales asked. “Of course, we will all be affected by the loss of longevity. Has anyone stopped and compared the pay of longevity between one department and another? Why is it fair and how is it justified that employed different departments are paid up to six times more for the same years of service? All of our services are equal and necessary for our community; however, our pay is not. We also do not receive incentive pay, why not?”
But according to the mayor, longevity pay was initially enacted as a perk for the city crew. “As a matter of fact, longevity was actually created because of the people who work on the streets, water department and things like that. It was implemented for that reason,” Hernandez said, adding, “I did appreciate what he said to the commission. I actually did feel bad (about cutting longevity pay), but you can only do so much when you have a certain amount of money to run the city.”
At the conclusion of his comments, Gonzales called for unity, stating, “We are here for the same reason: to serve and make a better place to live in – here, now, and for the future. All we ask for is consideration, quality, and fairness when the decision is made that will affect the community of San Benito and our families.”
To see this story in print, pick up a copy of the Sept. 11 edition of the San Benito News. Or view our E-Edition by clicking here.
1 comment
Finally someone came to speak up for the crews that do all the work. No city employee is better than any other. If raises are given, they should be given equally. Police and firemen do not deserve better benefits.