Projo Biz Blog

Despite the economic downturn, pay for state and local government workers across the country rose by 3 percent over the past year, compared to a 2-percent increase for private sector workers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported.

In Rhode Island, the number of government employees dropped by 2,000 in that period, according to the state Department of Labor and Training. But much of that shrinking came at the state level, and Governor Carcieri has frequently criticized cities and towns for failing to reduce spending despite deep budget cuts.

The new wage report also highlights a disparity between union and non-union workers. During the last year of recession, wages for union workers grew by 3.1 percent, while
non-union workers saw their salaries grow by only 1.9 percent.

In 2008, union membership in Rhode Island grew by 3,000 workers, to 78,000, or 16.5 percent of the state's workforce, Providence Journal writer Andy Smith has reported.

 Tags  economy employment Governor Carcieri unions

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