Comments
squall571 t1_j0ceye4 wrote
It’s not just that, a lot of city agencies are behind technology wise. You have many people doing data entry work which can be automated.
D_Ashido t1_j0cfu0b wrote
They are too busy hiring $150/hr consultants to figure out how to bring their tech implementations up to speed.
mowotlarx t1_j0cr3wo wrote
I love when they hire outside consultants to do a quick and shitty job based on their limited understanding and then everyone is stuck with useless data and a garbage project. Happens every time.
mowotlarx t1_j0crexw wrote
Not everything can be automated and a lot should still be quality control checked by human beings. It's really not that simple.
Besides, the city and Adams have expressed zero interest in beefing up technology agencies in the city which would at the bare minimum require them to attract talented workers with flex schedules and better pay, both of which they're unwilling to do.
rioht t1_j0eh6hi wrote
There is almost no chance that the city can attract skilled IT workers, unless it's folks at the beginning of their careers or someone who's only competent on paper.
IT pay is already higher than median pay in the US (55K or so), and IT is an industry where the norm is quickly becoming hybrid schedules (1-2 days a week out).
On top of that, the lack of decent promotional options makes it awful for an IT worker long term. Most IT folks can change jobs every 2-3 years and get a nice salary bump. No such equivalent in the city.
I just don't see how the city can attract IT folks. It's not rational to work for the city.
oddfuture t1_j0da9wo wrote
What is your point?
mowotlarx t1_j0de341 wrote
What part are you having trouble with?
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Not everything can be automated
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The city won't spend budget to upgrade equipment
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The city can't recruit quality IT professionals to manage improvements because they refuse to raise pay and offer hybrid schedules
oddfuture t1_j0dr6zq wrote
I'm having trouble with discerning whether or not you think the current status quo is fine. There are plenty of things that we can and should automate. And we should be investing more into infrastructure and the workforce.
mowotlarx t1_j0dznoz wrote
No, I don't think it's fine. I think the city needs desperately to hire quality talent to make city tech better. But I'm also a realist and know they won't because they refuse to pay good salaries and offer hybrid work.
Adept-Ad-1779 t1_j09broj wrote
I know a few in city agencies, they will GLADLY go back to hybrid, like most industries have.
Adams just doesn't care
Dr__Venture t1_j0dwp0h wrote
I’ve personally been on many NYCHA town-hall meetings. It’s pretty much the only thing employees have asked about since being brought back. Every town-hall devolves into everyone venting about it
neighborbozo t1_j0bvbel wrote
You gotta commute in to the fucking office like a grown up and spend your fucking money in the fucking midtown like I fucking told you last year while I fly out to observe Worldcup in Qatar you fucking peasants — Eric Adams
sozzZ t1_j0a12ch wrote
The proposals in the article to retain talent were good. The city government needs to adjust to the new post-covid reality and make necessary changes. This requires good leadership from the top, which we unfortunately don’t have. Politicians are too busy fending for themselves to look after the common good of all New Yorkers.
Zeugitae t1_j0b5ukh wrote
The current pension tier needs to be reworked to entice more people to actually stay on. My agency tends to be a revolving door of younger workers who move on to other government positions or the private sector after a year or two. All agencies need to retain (at least some) people to mitigate knowledge gaps and continuity issues in long term projects.
Babhadfad12 t1_j0bb1tf wrote
I would rather have a nice 401k match than stay tied to NYC for my whole life and then have to bet on them being able to pay me for 20+ years after retirement.
Zeugitae t1_j0bb848 wrote
Yeah the advice is pretty much: "get the pension but also open up another retirement account" not that the city will match those of course 🙄
Babhadfad12 t1_j0bbpfr wrote
I have always seen the options as:
City/state government job: low pay, low volatility, but if you show up you get rewarded with an annuity when you are older. Previously, this annuity was worth a lot, and it started a lot earlier. Now, the annuity will not buy you anywhere near as much, and you will have to work longer. And the city might cut the benefit if it gets into financial trouble over the next 60+ years, like Detroit.
Non government job: higher pay, higher volatility. As long as you stay valuable and are open to moving, earning potential is higher. Can invest in equity index funds, so your retirement is effectively guaranteed by US federal government reliably bailing out stock market, but you also get full control over your funds and the huge advantage to you is you can tell your employer to fuck off without losing any potential retirement benefits.
For example, when the world changes to offer remote work, and your city employer asks you to waste time commuting, you have to decide if it’s worth giving up potential retirement benefits. But if you have a 401k, you can move on to better employers.
bluethroughsunshine t1_j0blzk4 wrote
The city already has this option through the VDP but it's for non union workers making above $75,000. You also only have 30 days upon hiring to enroll in it. I believe the contribution is at 8% or your salary. I think it should be an option for all. If you want a pension, stay. If not leave with 8%
JonAce t1_j0bm4fx wrote
Adams balked at any WFH in the latest round of DC37 contract talks. He's not gonna budge.
Rottimer t1_j0bqmr7 wrote
Adams has Bloomberg in his ear. He would rather replace city services with private contractors (and award his friends in the private sector) than pay for government workers. IMHO, it’s deliberate and it’s all grift with a side goal of slowly breaking the unions (with exception of the PBA and UFA which conservatives are fine with).
mowotlarx t1_j0cbac8 wrote
This is correct. Private contractors with absolutely no oversight or auditing in now they're using funds. No accountability with conflict of interest issues. This is on purpose and the result will be more expensive and even less responsive city services.
TeamMisha t1_j0e4486 wrote
The public sector needs an entire re-do. It is too archaic and slow moving. My company can onboard someone in a week (assuming no visa requirements). Why does it take literally months to year+ to get hired at DOT for example? Hybrid work force, higher pay, ditch antiquated and stupid pension systems and move to simple 401k match. If you emulate more efficient and flexible private business, your young workers will be more attracted to the public sector. The technical agencies like DOT can't be affording to lose brain power and not be able to get a new generation of engineers and planners.
mowotlarx t1_j09o8so wrote
If Eric Adams wants to change city culture and innovate he needs to start attracting young and dynamic workers. Hybrid and pay bumps are the way to do it. Period. He doesn't even need to beef up staffing numbers to what they were before, he just needs to make it more appealing to work for the city.
He can only sell out city services to private consultants and lobbyists for so long before everything falls apart.