Editor,
Recently the Laguna Beach City Manager John Pietig, who makes $1,000 plus a day (2012 salary and benefits – $297,000) sent a memo to the transit coordinator (2012 salary & benefits – $100,000) telling him to make sure that most of the year-round city bus drivers who work part-time should not work more than 25 hours a week.
Unlike other city workers, these employees, some who have been with the city for years, get no benefits such as partially paid health plans and 80% pensions.
It’s hard for Sharon, Phil, Inez, Umberto and others to live on 25 hours a week. Through the years, since former City Manager Ken Frank established the part-time practice, some drivers were allowed to work more than 25 hours, but not anymore.
The take down culture we seem to be in forgets these employees are people who safely move hundreds of Laguna residents and visitors around six days a week and interact answering questions and individual requests.
Orange county residents voted in favor of Measure M, which gave the Orange County Transit Authority millions of dollars from sales taxes. OCTA gives the city of Laguna Beach millions for drivers, buses and trolleys. These dedicated employees should be given more hours a week to work.
Roger Carter, Laguna Beach
