If you’re a Coral Gables City Employee, good luck if your check engine light is on. For the second day in a row, the automotive department has failed to show up for work. Over ten top mechanics have called out sick, bringing all repairs to City owned vehicles to a halt. To make matters worse, there is no telling when they will return. The department, which is already shorthanded, handles the repairs and maintenance for all City vehicles, most notably the police and fire vehicles. All required maintenance on vehicles are being put off until the situation can be addressed. This has the potential to hamper police and fire services to the residents of the City Beautiful.
Known Problems
This shouldn’t be a surprise to City officials. Jobs for mechanics have been vacant for months, if not years. A recent email from Automotive Director Steven Riley to Public Works Director Hermes Diaz described the situation as, “We are hemorrhaging people not only because the private sector pays a lot more (with comparable benefits) but also most of the other government entities in South Florida.”
Director Riley goes on to state , “Under our current starting and top-out salaries we are being forced to consider applicants that we would have otherwise turned down because of their experience or prior work history.”
City Wide Issue
It appears that these issues are not isolated to the automotive department. The same issues permeate the Police, Fire, and Communications Divisions of the City of Coral Gables. From low morale to poor pay and benefits.
The Gables Beacon will dig deeper into these issues with our upcoming feature, “Crisis on the Horizon – The City Beautiful Has An Employee Problem.”
So sad what has happen to what was once a incredible place to work for. I remember when people use to say “o wow you work for the city, must have good benefits” the benefits now are subpar when compared to the private sector And other Municipalities in south Florida. I hope these guys get better soon from being sick. Hope those emergency vehicles staying running good until they get better.
The leaders of Coral Gables should be ashamed of themselves. It’s all fun and games until a fire truck can’t make it to a heart attack. Pay the mechanics what they are worth. You get what you pay for!
Call and email the mayor and commissioners. Let them know to pair all city workers fairly.
Mayor Vince C. Lago : vlago@coralgables.com
Commissioners:
Michael Mena: mmena@coralgables.com
Rhonda Anderson: randerson@coralgables.com
Jorge L. Fors, Jr: jfors@coralgables.com
Kirk R. Menendez: kmenendez@coralgables.com
The City Beautiful is now just another Banana Republic run by a bunch of crooked clowns.
The Chief has to be dressed by the mayor.
What a joke…..
Agree
https://youtu.be/_VDE88RfDOQ
More proof
And yet executive and manager salaries are what? Benefits are what? Retirement is what? Raises for the top ….
The city has been crying poor for the last 10 years. Everything from the cost of living to real estate has gone up double digits since. Yet, salaries remain stagnant… Unless you are upper management.
You reap what you sow.
There shouldn’t be any questions on why pay and benefits are low. Management does not care. They feel everyone is replaceable, except them. I saw this video https://youtu.be/5skFNOSVrlw on the gables insider. It is apparent the chief is out of touch with his rank and file. I’m sure it’s no different in other departments.
Having lived in Coral Gables for many years, I have a clear idea of what is important to me and likely equally as important to most of my neighbors. I love that we have beautiful tree lined streets, I love that my garbage is taken from the side of my home, I love that our police services and I love our fire services. What I don’t love, or even have the stomach to tolerate, is the mismanagement that is coming to light which will ultimately affect my quality of life.
Everything I mentioned that’s important to me is adversely affected by the City’s unwillingness to right an obvious wrong. The attached email seems to show the automotive director expressing grave concern for his department. The City is losing automotive employees to competitors, other cities, dealerships and even repair shops. This practice seems to be occurring within the police department as well, according to the video clip provided by “Michael.” This must stop. Look around, Coral Gables used to be a premier employer and now it’s just a stopgap for new and seasoned employees alike. When good employees go, what’s left behind? Is that what the Coral Gables Commission really wants? We used to be the sieve and now we’re close to just being the bowl underneath,
All these new businesses and construction projects that are underway should yield many tax dollars that can go to paying Coral Gables employees what they deserve. I believe we should DEMAND the best, but that requires PAYING for the best.
I looked at the polling numbers last time around, I assure you the turnout will be much higher this time. Get your heads out of your asses and PAY OUR EMPLOYEES FAIR WAGES. or I will make certain to do my part to vote you all out when your time comes.
JR – if things don’t change soon, we may need your help in getting out the word and the vote in a few months. Metro-Dade Firefighters are standing behind the Coral Gables Firefighters. The City is dependent upon County services to meet national and County fire safety standards. CGFD should have hired 35 new firefighters and staffed 3 new units…instead Mayor Lago is focused on building higher-density projects along LeJeune and 8 Street. Email me and I may reach out if the time comes. President@local1403.org.