Debunking the myths of public employee compensation is beginning to feel a bit like whack-a-mole.
Columnist David Brooks recently penned an op-ed railing against public sector compensation, asserting that "governments can't promote future prosperity because they are strangling on their own self-indulgence."
At the epicenter of this debate is California, with its massive budget problems and legislative gridlock. Not surprisingly, pundits have lined up their attacks here on public sector employees. Michelle Malkin invited her readers to "compare their salary to a California state employee." The Wall Street Journal published an op-ed by Steven Greenhut entitled "Public Employee Unions Are Sinking California." Greenhut's organization is funded by corporations like Chevron, Exxon Mobil and Pfizer,while Malkin's site is supported by advertising from groups like the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Well, now we've got some facts. The University of California Berkley's Center on Wage and Employment Dynamics found that California public employees actually receive less pay and work longer hours than their private sector counterparts. And when you factor in those controversial retirement benefits, public employees with a higher education still earn less than they would in the private sector. The Center reports:
Read the full report, here. CNBC reported on the study, here.
"[The] wages and total compensation received by public sector workers at higher levels of education are less than comparable workers in the private sector. The relatively better benefits received by educated public sector workers are not enough to compensate for the pay difference. For example, government workers with a Bachelors degree earn on average 14% less than similarly educated workers in the private sector. When considering total compensation, these public-sector workers still receive 5% less."
We're in the midst of tough economic times, and everyone is looking for answers. How do we balance the budget? Where do we find the funds for vital public services? And finally, who's to blame for this mess?
We hear an awful lot about public sector employees. But it's a red herring. It's meant to distract you from the powerful forces behind our economic instability. The small percentage who've grown wealthy from destabilizing the economy, selling bad mortgages, and sending jobs overseas. Let's stop blaming public services, and take our economy back.
