City health commissioner calls for tiered wage system for health department

City health commissioner calls for tiered wage system for health department

YOUNGSTOWN — A tiered wage system is in the works for some positions at the Youngstown City Health District as a way to save money and encourage city council to replace employees lost through the city’s buyout program.

Health Commissioner Neil H. Altman said at today’s board of directors meeting he will bring his proposed plan of action to address the loss of employees and cut costs to the board at its next meeting at 8 a.m. March 3.

While details have not been worked out, Altman said he wants to hire sanitarians-in-training to replace the certified sanitarians that are retiring. The SITs would start at a lower wage and would work under the supervision of regular sanitarians for two years.

In addition, Altman plans to replace supervisors who are leaving, such as the director of environmental health, nursing supervisor and director of nursing, at lower rates of pay than those who are leaving.

It doesn’t make sense to pay someone with less experience at the same rate as the person they are replacing, Altman said.

For the complete story, see Tuesday’s Vindicator and Vindy.com.