Estimated 30,000 Applied for 1,110 State Jobs in RI in 2014

The state of Rhode Island, currently tied for tenth highest unemployment rate in the country, saw more than 16,000 applications for just over 1,110 jobs state jobs in the second half of 2014, based on data compiled by the state's new online job application and tracking system, ApplyRI.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Administration, prior to the new website, the number of jobs posted -- and filled -- was the only information readily available. As 16,502 applications were tallied from July 1 to December 31, 2014 the number of applications could have easily exceeded 30,000 for the 1,187 positions posted, and 919 filled, in the last calendar year.

SLIDES: See the 50 Highest Paid RI State Employees BELOW

"OSTPA believes the abundance of applications for state jobs reflects not just the high unemployment rate but the underemployed as well. RI’s unemployment rate does not provide the full picture of its economy. When you consider that Massachusetts is well beyond reclaiming the jobs that were lost as a result of the 2008 crash, Little Rhody falls far behind with only recovering a little more than half of its lost jobs. That means a lot of people are looking for work," said Pam Gencarella, spokesperson for taxpayer advocacy group OSTPA.

"And, the state is the largest employer in RI. We know there is a significant number of employed individuals that have had to take much lower paying jobs, perhaps two of them, in order to make ends meet," continued Gencarella. "A state position, with salary and benefits higher than its private counterpart’s salary and benefits, looks good to anyone desiring to improve their financial condition.

According to the Department of Administration, in 2012, 1,132 jobs were posted and 897 filled; in 2013 1,390 jobs were posted and 955 filled.

Crunching the Numbers

Earlier in April, the Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training announced that the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March 2015 was 6.3 percent, down a tenth of a percentage point from the revised February 2015 rate of 6.4 percent, and down one and nine-tenths percentage points from the March 2014 rate, marking the lowest unemployment rate in Rhode Island since January 2008.

The number of unemployed RI residents, which is considered to be those residents classified as available for and actively seeking employment— was said to be 34,600, down 300 from the revised February figure of 34,900, representing the lowest unemployment level since November 2007. Over the year, the number of unemployed dropped by 11,200.

RI Council 94 AFSCME -- which represents state and municipal employees -- weighed in on the number of applications for state jobs as reported by Department of Administration.

"I'm not surprised on the number of applications for state jobs. For the last 3 years Rhode Island has routinely ranked in the as one of the top 5 states with the highest unemployment rates in the country," said Council 94 President J. Michael Downey

"Council 94 is always willing to work collaboratively to identify ways to develop cost savings. Council 94 maintains the state could cut costs on the amount of funds spent in private vendors, temporary employees, and consultants," continued Downey. "Please keep in mind that all the rounds of painful pension changes were estimated to save the state over $3 billion dollars. Respectfully, it's time for private vendors, temporary employees, and consultants share in the sacrifices."

Governor Gina Raimondo had proposed freezing longevity pay during her first year in office, but has since withdrawn the intended cost-cutting proposal -- for now.

"There is currently a job classification-and-pay study underway. The administration decided it will make the most sense to look at this proposal after the completion of the classification study," said Alison Rogers with the Department of Administration.

"The Department of Administration will be reviewing all opportunities for cost-savings, including new opportunities for wellness initiatives, as well as potential savings related to decisions to fill open positions, determining whether a vacancy should be filled and, if so, what the appropriate salary level will be to fill any vacancies," continued Rogers. "Additionally, as Governor Raimondo noted when she introduced her jobs plan, there may be a potential for higher than projected revenues this spring and, if so, the Governor noted she would use those revenues to decrease the total amount of personnel savings necessary to balance the budget."

Critics Question Costs

While the Governor and unions both said they would be addressing state employee costs, taxpayer groups in the state pointed to data showing where Rhode Island stacks up nationally.

"As of last year, the compensation for public sector workers in Rhode Island is 24% higher than comparable private sector positions and it's 32% higher when job security is taken into account. Further, Rhode Island state workers are the seventh highest paid in the country, according to the latest U.S. Census data. Clearly, the state is paying too much for public labor costs," said Monique Chartier, with the advocacy group RI Taxpayers.

"These figures become even more stark, not to mention inequitable, when Rhode Island's high unemployment is taken into consideration," continued Chartier. "Of course, Rhode Islanders are breaking down the door to work for the state! Who wouldn't, at this level of compensation?"

"Our elected officials need to get these costs under control by bringing these compensation levels more in line - initially with public sector compensation in other states and, eventually, more in line with the private sector in Rhode Island," said Chartier. " It is patently wrong and indefensible that the compensation gap between public employees and the taxpayers who pay those wages is so wide. Is there any question that, if the state posted new job openings at a compensation level of, say, twenty percent lower than the present, there would still be a tidal wave of applicants? Our state officials need to keep this uppermost in their mind when they are negotiating the next contract - or see the need to adjust the current one.​"

Mike Stenhouse with the Center for Freedom and Prosperity noted their own reports which he said showed that compensation levels for Rhode Island state employees was markedly higher than the private sector.

"The Center's 2012 report showed that state and local government workers in Rhode Island enjoy significantly higher compensation levels than their private sector counterparts, 78% higher than the national norm," said Stenhouse. "No wonder people are lining up around the block to cash in on government largesse at the expense of everyday taxpayers. Generous collective bargaining provisions that benefit the special few, mean that average families have to cut back on conveniences for their children."

Related Slideshow: RI’s Top 50 Highest Paid State Employees in 2014

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