It makes for political theatre, but it makes NO practical sense, for the Shreveport City Council to have had extended discussions about the pay for CDL garbage truck drivers at their last Council meeting on Tuesday September 8.
Not surprisingly lame duck council member James Green seeks sound bites to help with his Public Service Commission campaign, and Tabatha Taylor does as well since she has an opponent in her council election.
Those two along with other council members obviously failed to listen to Public Works Director Jarvis Morgan. He explained that after the recent pay increases for CDL drivers his department had received many applications for the jobs which were being processed.
Seemingly the talking heads at the dais must think a magic wand can be waved and presto new CDL drivers will be lined up and ready to drive for Public Works.
Green’s comments were the most egregious, but that is not unusual for that “certain person” who obviously believes the has an exemption from any SPD interactions be that for too dark car windows or barging into an optical shop and pushing the custom service lady.
When referring to the new pay scale for CDL drivers, he said
“This ain’t no real money right here. Nobody up in the council right now will go out there and get on a truck and do what those guys are doing for $21.75.”
Green was obviously asleep during Morgan’s presentation. The pay raise is for the drivers, not the sanitation worker who pick up the trash/garbage. And the truck cabs have A/C, which refutes his comments about working in the heat.
Green, Taylor and those yapping on the pay issue either don’t know, have forgotten or don’t think its relevant that all city employees, including CDO drivers and sanitation workers, have very generous retirement benefits, affordable health insurance, paid vacation, and a slew of paid city holiday.
Geez, go compare that salary to the private sector which may pay a little more per hour, but with very limited if any employee benefits.
A review of the city charter may also be helpful for the council members. The mayor, not the council, sets salaries.
The silly season will most likely continue with all council members but one (Grayson Boucher) will be on the Nov. 3 ballot.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.