CS 02 (8)Jennifer L. Hall
From: Concerned Employee <
Sent: Monday, October 25, 2021 10:23 PM
To: Public Comment
Subject: [EXTERNAL] Concerned Employee
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Honorable Mayor and Members of the Anaheim City Council.
I have been employed at the City of Anaheim since 2016. 1 have worked in the public sector for over 10 years
including working for two neighboring cities. Additionally, I have a large network of colleagues, friends and
family members that have worked for neighboring agencies including Irvine, Newport Beach, Huntington
Beach, Cypress, Fullerton and several more. To say that I understand how public agencies run and how
different they treat their employees is an understatement.
I remember my delight when I was hired in 2016 to join "The Great City of Anaheim." I was ecstatic and proud
to be part of an agency that was known to be one of the best agencies in Orange County. I saw myself growing
professionally, giving back to the community, and even imagined retiring from Anaheim after a long career
here.
However, the past few years, many of us, including myself, are seeing Anaheim in a different way. Conditions
for employees have been consistently declining. Management and Confidential employees have not had a
COLA (cost of living allowance) since 2009, yet the price of everyday living expenses have increased
drastically, especially within the past two years. Furthermore, our health premiums have gone up which have
made the situation even more difficult for many of us. The salary and benefits I need to maintain my family are
no longer provided at this agency.
To make matters worse, we have taken on more responsibilities without increase in pay. It is because of all this
that we, the employees of Anaheim, have asked for wage increases several times.
Still, nothing has happened.
Prior to COVID we were in the midst of negotiating a 10% pay increase. That fell apart as the pandemic began.
Time and time again we have asked the council to look into our situation and help us justify our working
conditions, yet we have been ignored.
Many employees from neighboring agencies are advised against applying for any City of Anaheim jobs,
specifically noting poor pay rates. We have lost all the splendor that we once had, and many have already left
Anaheim knowing they will be working for an agency that will provide competitive wages and overall be taken
better care of. I, myself can no longer imagine retiring here.
That is why I'm asking the council to increase the pay rates to a competitive price. Please help us retain the
extremely talented, knowledgeable and hard working employees we have left. Anaheim can still be one of the
best agencies to work for, if only council will consider the value of the city's employees.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Concerned Employee