Workers at understaffed Kansas prisons, state hospitals to receive pay increases
Kansas state employees in departments struggling with staffing shortages will receive pay raises and bonuses starting next week.
Gov. Laura Kelly announced increases for employees in 24/7 facilities at the Department of Corrections, Department of Aging and Disabilities and Commission on Veterans Affairs in a statement late Tuesday afternoon.
Employees impacted will include those in the Kansas prison system and state hospitals whose employees have complained of dangerous situations created by understaffing and exacerbated by labor shortages and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The staff in our 24/7 facilities are the frontline workers for some of the most necessary and, frankly, thankless work that we do for Kansans,” Kelly said in a statement.
“This new pay plan is a necessary step to address the ongoing challenges brought on by the pandemic, support our efforts to prioritize public health and safety, and care for our most vulnerable populations.”
Raises for hourly workers will range from an additional $1.50 to $4.50 per-hour depending on vacancy rates and position.
Salaried employees will receive a $3,500 bonus.
The raises will remain in effect through the end of the fiscal year in June but must be approved by lawmakers to become permanent.
Last year, the Legislature declined to include across-the-board raises for state employees in the annual budget, citing concern about rewarding state employees while other Kansans struggled with the impact of COVID-19.
Employees and the Kansas Organization of State Employees, however, have pointed to low pay and poor working conditions as a major driver of workforce shortages.
Sarah LaFrenz, president of the Kansas Organization of State Employees, called the pay hikes an “excellent step forward.”
“These raises and pay differentials mean frontline workers like corrections officers and state hospital staff could finally get the safe staffing levels they need and proper pay for their unthinkable sacrifices on behalf of Kansans,” La Frenz said.
Private and public employers nationwide have been hit by staffing shortages this year prompting pay raises and bonuses to attract workers.
State workers in Missouri saw a 2% raise in the budget Gov. Mike Parson signed this year. But he vetoed $2 million to specifically raise the pay of child welfare employees whose division has been recently plagued with high caseloads and staffing woes.
The Star’s Jeanne Kuang contributed to this report.
This story was originally published November 23, 2021 at 4:36 PM with the headline "Workers at understaffed Kansas prisons, state hospitals to receive pay increases."
