University of Virginia Library

City Cost of Living Bypasses
University Worker Pay Scales

News Analysis

By SANDRA DIVINE

"Pay scales over the past
five years for state classified
employees have not kept up
with the cost of living," claims
Student Council President Jim
Rinaca.

"The University cannot
keep people employed,
especially young people,
because after they are trained
they leave for better paying
jobs elsewhere," he added.

Public Affairs
Vice-President Edwin M.
Crawford said, "During this
past summer University
President Edgar F. Shannon Jr.
and the heads of other
educational institutions wrote
to Gov. Linwood Holton
expressing their concern and
hope that action would be
taken during the next session
of the General Assembly to
strengthen the situation of
state classified employees.

"The last session of the
Assembly, ending in March,
appropriated funds for a merit
increase in salaries," Mr.
Crawford said. "This increase
went only to some
employees."

One Step Raise

According to University
Personnel Director Donald P.
Corderman, "75 per cent of
University employees received
this increase which amounted
to a one step raise of four of
five per cent."

Both Mr. Crawford and Mr.
Corderman are hoping that in
January the Legislature will
allocate enough funds for an
across-the-board salary
increase for all state
employees.

Mr. Corderman explained
"Salaries are the same
throughout the state for the
same jobs. Although the pay
rate here might be woefully
inadequate, it might be quite
adequate in Blacksburg."

Regional Review

Mr. Rinaca said he "would
like to see a regional review
based on where the employees
live and work similar to what
the Federal Government does
to determine their pay scales.

"According to a report
issued this summer,
Charlottesville is the second
most expensive city in the U.S.
to live in," Mr. Rinaca says,"
yet University employees here
receive just as much as Radford
College employees do.

"The state does not take
account of the different costs
of living," he added.

Mr. Crawford explained that
during the first session of the
General Assembly in January
Gov. Holton will present the
request for more funds for the
pay increases as an
amendment to the budget. It
will then go into various
committees and back to the
legislature for final approval.

"The Governor is very
sympathetic," Mr. Crawford