A $9 Minimum Wage For Town Employees? Not Today Says Councilwoman Nowick

archived photo of Councilman CreightonCouncilman Robert Creighton’s proposal for a $9 per hour minimum wage for town employees never even came to a vote at the August 11th Town Board meeting. The resolution was seconded by Councilman Wehrheim and as the vote began, Counciwoman Nowick moved to table the resolution. The five member Town Board agreed, including Mr. Creighton.

In a meeting in his office, Cerighton expressed disappointment and resolve. The disappointment was directed at Councilwoman Nowick, who Mr. Creighton said had supported the idea in discussions. The disappointment was for the young people who work as seasonal help who make below New York State’s $8.75 minimum wage.  Municipalities are exempt from paying minimum wage.

Councilman Creighton acknowledged that his proposal to raise the minimum wage to $9 an hour would not impact the 2015 seasonal employees. His resolution would become effective in 2016. He also acknowledged that the number of employees affected is small. His resolution was a reaction to his awareness that there was a disparity in the per hour salaries seasonal employees were being paid and how much a wage hike would mean to them. Some seasonal employees have been hired for $8 and others were being paid as much as $15 an hour.  “Honest to God, I believe the kids deserve the $9 per hour minimum wage.” said Creighton. Also in his mind was the $30,000 salary increase for Councilman/Deputy Supervisor Tom McCarthy, and the thousands given to Department heads.

Before making the proposal, Creighton checked with Town Comptroller Donald Musgnug and learned that a minimum wage of $9 for the approximately 150 seasonal hires would cost the town $7,000 less than Councilman McCarthy’s salary 2015 salary bump. The cost to the town for the $9 per hour minimum wage would run $23,000. “This seemed to be the appropriate time. If the resolution passed it would allow the Supervisor to include it in the 2016 Town Budget.” said Creighton.

“Really”, said Supervisor Vecchio. “A minimum wage when most of our employees make much more than that. Mr. Creighton is making a political decision. He is pandering to the families of the kids who work as seasonal help. We are facing a serious challenge in our 2016 budget. To keep within NYS’s  2% cap we are allowed a 0.73 percent increase. That doesn’t cover the increase pension and health care costs.” 

Mr. Creighton pointed to Newsday’s August 16 article by Lauren R. Harrison, “In the article the Supervisor said I am pandering for votes and playing politics. That’s unbelievable. Vecchio calling me a panderer? Everyone knows that Patrick Vecchio is the ‘King of Panderers’.” 

Councilman Creighton pledged to reintroduce the resolution and hopes to see it on the agenda as early as September 8. As of Wednesday, August 19 the resolution was still not in the system. 

Comments

[Smithtown Independent]

Confusing. Why did Mr. Creighton vote to table the resolution?