Patterson: No Raises Next Two Years
SOUTHFIELD (WWJ) - No raises for the next two years. That's what's in store for county workers in the new budget that will be laid out by Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson Wednesday night.
"My employees have taken a four-percent hit and gone without raises for, it'll be six years by the end of this budget cycle," Patterson told WWJ Newsradio 950.
"So, it's a sacrifice by the employees, but one I think that they realize is necessary. In fact the president of the union said that he understands what we're doing," he said.
"I'd love to give them a raise, but what I can promise them now is a job. I think most of them understand that, appreciate the fact that they are working when unemployment is so high in the state of Michigan, and I think they know we've made the cuts in their best interest so we can keep them employed," Patterson said.
Patterson said the county has been hit hard by declining home values and foreclosures, which topped 9,000 last year. The workers will get a one-percent raise in 2014.
Stay tuned to WWJ Newsradio 950 for the latest on the Oakland County budget.
