Pain not spread equitably

Shawn Vestal reported on the inequitable raises and cuts to community college staff.

My wife and I are state employees, those scapegoated providers of vital public services. I am a juvenile parole officer, and she is a Head Start teacher. For a year, I have taken a 3 percent wage cut (furlough). It has been hard to save and make ends meet. The well-heeled Spokesman-Review editorial board thought this a great idea and brayed that it’s not enough.

Although they teach young children, Head Start is part of the Community College system. Their line staff is now scheduled for the 3 percent cut.

Vestal explained that at the same time, the college’s upper management will award themselves obscene raises to their already inflated salaries.

Earlier this year, administration assured line staff that they would share the pain and take cuts themselves, as well. Now, they don’t see that as necessary.

Although a devoted state employees union member, I am quite frustrated to see no visible effort on its part to challenge this travesty.

I have ended my subscription to The Spokesman-Review, whose cheerleading has widened the gap between frontline workers and those who merely preside over them.

Morton Alexander

Spokane