Proof Coral Gables Police and Firefighters are Greatly Overpaid
January 9, 2011 3 Comments
There is no problem in filling the posts of police and firefighters in Coral Gables. I imagine that there is a line of people waiting for these jobs. Ergo, police and firefighters are overpaid because there are plenty of candidates at the current wage. Also, if we can’t hire more because of the limited budget, they are overpaid. This describe Coral Gables.
I am sorry, but I do not believe it is relevant to ask how educated they are. Using sanitation workers as an example, I would put it this way.
If you do not have enough sanitation workers because you cannot fill job openings at the current level of pay, then those government workers are underpaid.
On the other hand, if you do not have enough sanitation workers because your budget is busted by the ones you have, then those government workers are overpaid.
Basic microeconomics.
About Stephen E. McGaughey
Coral Gables Watch 
I don’t think it’s that they’re overpaid, as much as their pension is too high and there is too much overtime available. As a former dispatcher, I know firsthand that there are/were dispatchers there making six figures after overtime and the pension was figured as the average of your highest paid three years. If you get a cop or dispatcher who works 80 hours a week for three years, that’s a big strain financially on the city. I feel the cops are paid adequately – there is never TOO HIGH of a salary for saving lives – but the amount of overtime and the pension package is a bit excessive.
Sadly, the line of applicants are typically as poor as the premise of this blog, most of them unfit for any sort of public safety position. Remember, just because a lot of people apply for a position does not mean they meet the ever decreasing standards, the community suffering as a result.
Those who have positions looking out always think the newcomers don’t know there way.
Apparently, all of the positions are filled in Coral Gables, hence, there is no shortage of qualified people at the current outrageous salaries and pensions.
This is a national issue–excessive poor of public employee labor unions who have driven up salaries and pensions, and indifference of the unions to the wellbeing of those who pay their salaries–the taxpayers. Unless the unions get over their arrogance, time will come when the community will reject these outrageous salaries and benefits. Sooner or later.