Hondo Passes Raises for Workers

After much discussion and heated debate, the Hondo City Council included raises for workers that benefit those earning the least. Southwest Workers Union sees this as an important step towards achieve a Living Wage of $12.21 an hour for City employees. Currently, many workers are earning under $20,000 a year for full-time work, leaving them to make hard choices about how to support their family.

The percentage across-the-board raise received will depend on current annual salary. Those earning below $25,000, which is the majority of the 120 employees, will see a 6.5% increase. Up to $40,000 will earn 3.5% more, up to $55,000 1.5% and administrators, many earning upwards of 80-100,000 dollars, will get a model 0.5% increase. These will go into affect October 1, 2008 as part of the 2008-2009 budget.

In contrast, the City Manager initially proposed only a 2% raise for workers, which he later upped to 3.5%. The support of the community helped secured just raises for workers as families are facing drastically rising prices.

See Express-News Article, Pay Hikes Divide Hondo's Council