Sponsor: Human Resources
Title
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Eliminate Wages Below $15 per Hour in Ramsey County Salary Plans
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Recommendation
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1. Authorize the County Manager to eliminate wages below $15 per hour in Ramsey County’s salary plans effective June 26, 2021.
2. Authorize the Human Resources Director in consultation with the County Manager to conduct necessary transactions to adjust compensation for any employee making less than $15.00/hour.
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Background and Rationale
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In 2016, the County established a strategic initiative around Talent Attraction Retention and Promotion (TARP) with the intention of setting a course to becoming the premiere public sector employer of choice in the region. As part of that effort, a full classification and compensation study was commissioned and conducted by Arthur J. Gallagher Benefit Services beginning in 2019. The pandemic of 2020-2021 has caused the delays finalizing the study and the implementation while wage disparities continue to exist and grow.
In alignment with TARP, the County desires to eliminate wages that are below $15 per hour and establish a wage floor for all job classifications of $15 per hour for Ramsey County’s internal workforce. The classifications affected by the action are:
• Clerk 1
• Highway Maintenance Summer Laborer
• Lifeguard
• Lifeguard, Senior
• Naturalist Aide
• Park and Recreation Aide 1
• Park and Recreation Aide 2
• Service Worker
• Student Worker
• Supported Employment Worker
Elimination of wages below $15 per hour will alleviate the difficulties of recruiting for these entry level jobs and will help to ensure that Ramsey County remains competitive as an employer. This action is consistent with other employers around Ramsey County, including other public sector employers in Minnesota and at the federal level. This action also aligns with Ramsey County Workforce Solutions who is establishing a $15 per hour wage floor for its workforce trainees participating in workforce programs.
Perhaps more compelling, is the need to further improve the quality of life and reduce the wage gap of our lowest wage workers. Communities experiencing the greatest barriers to employment and economic disparities are more often than not communities of color and people with disabilities and Ramsey County has the authority and responsibility to address the wage gap for its internal workforce and its service recipients where it can. These actions are in alignment with the County’s goals of economic prosperity, well-being and strategic investment and speaks to its commitment to residents first given that approximately fifty percent of Ramsey County employees are also Ramsey County residents.
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County Goals (Check those advanced by Action)
☒ Well-being ☒ Prosperity ☒ Opportunity ☒ Accountability
Racial Equity Impact
This change impacts Ramsey County employees earning less than $15, many of whom are people of color or people with disabilities. This helps to address earning disparities and bring a more livable wage to those earning less than $15 per hour.
Community Participation Level and Impact
The Equity Action Council’s Workforce Committee has observed that Ramsey County’s pay for entry level types of positions are not competitive and support a $15 per hour wage floor at Ramsey County.
☒ Inform ☒ Consult ☐ Involve ☐ Collaborate ☐ Empower
Fiscal Impact
Based on 2019 and 2021 year to date data, the cost is estimated to be between $125,000 and $150,000. Departments have indicated they can absorb this cost. The impact to budgets will continue to be monitored and adjustments will be made, including a potential future funding request in the budget, if needed.
County Manager Comments
County Board approval is required to set the wage floor at $15 per hour consistent with M.S. 383A.282.
Last Previous Action
None.
Attachments
1. None.