NJ Transit Salaries Online
April 11th 2007 07:06 pm
Have you ever wondered how much NJ Transit employees are paid? It’s always been public record, but you probably had to ask the Governor’s office or one of your state legislators to get a list. I only know of one person that went through the trouble to get the list, and that was 15 year ago.
Well, the folks at McPaper Gannett not only got a list of NJ Transit employees, job titles, salaries and overtime payments, they put it online for all of us to see.
To start at the top and work your way down through the list, follow this link. Click the “Next” link to go through the list. Or click “New Search” if you want to search by name and/or department.
I’m no compensation expert, but it seems to me that the upper-level employees are paid well. It looks like the middle-level employees may be paid less than private employers would pay.
coffeelen responded on 11 Apr 2007 at 7:41 pm #
While I am a firm believer that as taxpayers, we deserve to know how our tax dollars are spent in a public agency; I am always troubled when the “joe blow” type of folks–the actual people in the trenches–have their salaries publicized for all to see. In my position at a major telecom company, I must present our workers’ compensation insurance carrier with detailed payroll information. Years ago, the list would show name, ss# and salary; today, we show a job title and salary with no ability to identify certain people. I guess my point is, everyone should be entitled to some level of privacy and having personally identifiable information in the public realm somehow seems to violate that.
Think of how you react when someone casually asks “so, how much do you make a year?” I’ve seen people squirm through an answer. Most people would never share that with anyone–even their close friends. I have many close friends– for over 30 years–and I have NO idea what they make. Sure, I can guess; but, I don’t know the exact number. Just my 2 cents.
Bob Scheurle responded on 11 Apr 2007 at 8:12 pm #
I understand what you’re saying, and I agree somewhat, but the legislation that created NJ Transit specifically states this information is to be sent to the Governor and the Legislature. From statute 27:25-15
I think part of the rationale for such reporting is to prevent “no-show” jobs.
coffeelen responded on 11 Apr 2007 at 9:49 pm #
It’s a good law since the Governor & Legislature are charged with the task that our tax dollars are spent wisely (a task they fail regularly-but, that’s for another blog!). There should be a way that perhaps the legislature sees names; but, for the public, they see job titles, maybe the employee i.d. number (e.g. the # on a conductor’s badge) and the salary. I just think society needs to do a better job of respecting privacy.
I have a good friend who is a terrific runner; that’s how we became friends. He’s a conductor for NJT. He’s married with two kids now in college. I now know that he made $80K last year. His wife works as well as a claim adjuster for an insurance company. I have no idea what she makes. If he knew that I knew how much he made last year, he would really be upset.
So, it’s a good law to prevent “no-show” jobs; but, they need to do a better job on confidentiality.
ABG responded on 11 Apr 2007 at 11:36 pm #
Sorry, Len, I have to disagree. Absolutely, privacy for medical records. Salaries, no.
There’s very little reason for secrecy in government. Nobody who takes a government job should have any expectation of privacy when it comes to salary. That information is critical to the public interest. Do you really trust the legislature with it?
In response to your suggestion about ID numbers, I don’t think “security by obscurity” is the way to go. Anyone who really wants that information can get it.
Bob Scheurle responded on 12 Apr 2007 at 7:49 am #
There are claims that George Warrington has created lots of new management positions at NJT for his friends. I have no idea if that is true or not. But if someone had a list of employees/titles for each of the past five years, it wouldn’t be too difficult to determine if our fare and tax dollars are paying for unnecessary employees.
John 76 responded on 22 Apr 2007 at 10:40 pm #
Let me weigh in on publishing this information, Bob. “A public office is a public trust.” Working for the government means working for the citizens who are taxpayers and there is a right to know how our taxes are used. Elected officials have no trouble with this and I don’t see that other public employees should have trouble either.
Of course people who wish to maintiain their privacy do have the right to work in the private sector.