[3825]

As Shirley says:

> For another, what does 80k really mean? Is it the average of their base salaries or their total costs of employment? And who are included in this average? Certainly, if management salaries are included, it'd unreasonably skew the data!

I am concerned why there are 217 people in management. I am sure we can find some other people who will work in management for less. Fire the management!

If it were up to me, I'd stick to the BART compensation for everyone but the utility workers and increase their base by about 1k over current BART proposal. I'd make up for that by cutting down on management costs. I would not necessarily decrease pay outside of those with corporate title but they have to start letting some of the people in management go. My goal would be to reduce the number of management employees from 217 to 150 by the end of 2014. Nobody needs 17% of their workforce to be in management. Trim that fat.

I don't have much confidence in either the unions or the management to do their job. I bet everyone involved is very glad that I don't run BART.

[fishtoaster]

A few questions:

- Why is 217 too much, and 150 is better? Presumably some organizations need lots of management, while others need very little- how do you, as an outside observer, come up with a reasonable number? - Where did you get 17%? According to [0], there are 3430 bart employees. 217/3430 = 6.3%.

0: http://www.mercurynews.com/salaries/bay-area?Entity=Bay%20Ar...

[walshemj]

I suspect management covers all the professional grades as well you know the HR, marketing, securitty and professional engineers not just those with strict line management roles.

[3825]

Hm... I guess I got a little carried away. I still don't understand why a security instructor or an engineer would be considered management. I'm sure there's a rationale. Somebody want to help me understand this concept?

[walshemj]

Because thats how they are recorded by HR for reporting purposes and in the US to make them exempt grades.

99.99% of HN readers who work in tech will be considered management/professional grades even if you dont formally "manage" anyone

[3825]

I don't mean to derail this conversation but I thought to HR I am just "Contingent Labor". How can I be considered management?

[walshemj]

Are you considered an "exempt" grade if so HR will have to put you in the M&P (managerial and professional) group to avoid all sorts of nasty tax problems with the IRS.