CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The Senate Judiciary Committee moved a bill that called for the elimination of civil service protection for state workers to a study resolution Monday.
The bill (SB 408) had created quite a stir among groups that represent state workers.
“The bottom line is this bill eliminates civil service,” said Christine Campbell, president of the West Virginia AFT, but was representing AFSCME on the bill. “At a time we’re trying to create jobs, we’re looking at ways to get rid of people.”
Supporters of the measure said removal of the civil service protections would clear the way for better evaluation of employees and to get rid of those who are not performing at a proper level. But speaking on Metronews “Talkline” Monday, Campbell said there are presently procedures in place to eliminate non-performing employees when that becomes an issue.
“They can get rid of employees who are not up to snuff. They have employee evaluations, there are expectations, and they said in committee they are currently getting rid of about 50 employees a month,” she explained. “If they didn’t have a way to do that…how are they doing that.”
Campbell worries the elimination of civil service protection returns the state to a dark period of years gone by when the spoils system was the way things were in West Virginia.
“Arch Moore was the governor who put these protections in,” she said. “It was discussed if a new administration comes in, they’ll be able to fire anyone for their political party affiliation.”
Under the current system employees have seniority status and a grievance system to guard against a wrongful firing. Campbell said however the bill removes those protections which are really the only reason left for many of the public employees to stay on board in the first place.
“These folks make an average of $25,000 a year, their benefits are reduced, and they haven’t had a raise since 2005,” she said. “What are we doing to keep them here, other than giving them the seniority and the grievance process.”
Campbell says there are already as many as 2,000 vacancies in state government and expects if this bill is approved that number will go far higher.
The proposal will be studied during this year’s legislative interim committee process.