a:3:{s:16:"field_story_body";a:1:{i:0;a:2:{s:5:"value";s:1571:"<span style="font-size: larger;">With talks coming up with the public sector unions for the state it would appear Governor Snyder is taking a serious look at highlighting the disparity between public and private sector wages as part of the negotiations.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger;">As Michigan&rsquo;s CEO/CFO the governor needs to remember, as I am sure he is aware being a bean counter himself that you can make numbers mean whatever you want them to. As MSU economist Ballard has stated, &ldquo;half of all state government employees have college degrees, compared with about 25 percent of employees in the private sector&rdquo;. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger;">Making any blanket conclusions on wage disparities needs to be based on comparing job classifications based on the same criteria in both the public and private sectors.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger;">Additionally, the governor will continue to be focusing on reforming retiree healthcare and other benefits to reduce the state&rsquo;s long-term liability costs.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: larger;">For an article on what may be ahead for state workers and retirees read the following article:</span><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20130804/NEWS04/308040068/Data-Public-private-wage-gap-widened-Michigan"><span style="font-size: larger;">http://www.lansingstatejournal.com/article/20130804/NEWS04/308040068/Data-Public-private-wage-gap-widened-Michigan</span></a><br />
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