WE ARE THE FACES OF PUBLIC SERVICE
Public Service Perspectives
It is time to stand up and speak out about the need for FTEs Summer is coming to a close, students are heading back to college and campaign commercials are in full swing as we head to the election in November. Employees within state agencies and at each university are starting to hear about their agency’s budget proposals for meeting Gov. Doug Burgum’s budget parameters for the 2019-21 biennium. Governor Burgum budget parameters require most state agencies to submit a reduction of 5 percent of its full-time employees (FTEs), a 90 percent budget, and an additional 3 percent contingency reduction to allow for variances in revenue collections due to swings in commodity prices. The required allotments and budget cuts during the 2017-19 biennium resulted in significant program cuts and reductions in the number of funded FTEs at each state agencies and higher education faculty and staff within the University System. The remaining employees have seen their workloads increase, leading to stress for employees trying to meet management’s expectations and the public’s desire for quality, timely services. Additional reductions in personnel required by the Governor’s budget request will make it difficult if not impossible to provide all the programs and services that currently are being provided. As a state employee and a member of North Dakota United, we must tell our story to our neighbors, our legislators and the Governor to put a face to the vital services that we provide each and every day. We are the people on the frontlines who know the impacts the reductions in the number of employees have had on the services being provided. Employees from various agencies across the state have told me how thin they are being stretched in trying meet the growing need for services. The stress and anxiety experienced by employees due to larger caseloads and staff shortages is leaving many employees wondering if they will be able to continue doing their job or if they should look for other employment. State employees and higher education faculty and staff must continue to talk to elected officials and the citizens of North Dakota about the need to have adequate FTEs to provide the services the residents of North Dakota expect. We must also advocate for a budget that will provide the resources for the programs we deliver and funding for salaries and benefits that will enable the state to retain and attract quality employees.
By Gary Feist NDU Vice President of Public Employees
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As a state employee and a member of North Dakota United, we must tell our story to our neighbors, our legislators and the Governor to put a face to the vital services that we provide each and every day.”
With the collective voice of NDU members across the state along with the voice of the constituents we serve we can make sure that the Legislature will pass a state budget that adequately funds higher education, public services, and the wages and benefits of state employees.
ndunited.org
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