Thursday,  December 12 , 2024

Linkedin Pinterest
Opinion
The following is presented as part of The Columbian’s Opinion content, which offers a point of view in order to provoke thought and debate of civic issues. Opinions represent the viewpoint of the author. Unsigned editorials represent the consensus opinion of The Columbian’s editorial board, which operates independently of the news department.
News / Opinion / Letters to the Editor

Letter: Calculating the gap is upsetting

The Columbian
Published: June 12, 2011, 5:00pm

The June 5 and 6 series, “Top public salaries,” regarding public employee pay, puts the finger on why people are upset with same. Using the pay gap figures given therein, that the top 10 percent of public employees’ pay is 4.24 times the lowest 10 percent, and 8.75 times in the private sector, you have this picture:

Assuming the top 10 percent of each group earns $200,000, the bottom 10 percent of private workers earn $22,857, while the bottom 10 percent of public employees earns $47,170. This is bad enough, but stir in benefits and employment “risk,” as well as all the other “risks” in private industry, and it is not hard to see why the “non-public employee” public is rightfully upset.

Greg Lucas

Vancouver

We encourage readers to express their views about public issues. Letters to the editor are subject to editing for brevity and clarity. Limit letters to 200 words (100 words if endorsing or opposing a political candidate or ballot measure) and allow 30 days between submissions. Send Us a Letter

Support local journalism

Your tax-deductible donation to The Columbian’s Community Funded Journalism program will contribute to better local reporting on key issues, including homelessness, housing, transportation and the environment. Reporters will focus on narrative, investigative and data-driven storytelling.

Local journalism needs your help. It’s an essential part of a healthy community and a healthy democracy.

Community Funded Journalism logo
Loading...