Minnesota Highways, September 1953

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VOL.  2,  NO.   11
1246 University Ave., St. Paul 4, Minn.
SEPTEMBER,   1953
Certain  Classes  Get  Salary Adjustments
In accordance with the results of a nationwide survey made of
corresponding classes of employes, some Hiwayans will be receiving
pay adjustments soon. In making the adjustments the comparable
duties and responsibilities of men in similar jobs were considered along
with their pay rates.
New Salary Ranges for Some Employes
Class                                            Present Salary New Salary
Civil Engineer II $380 - 430 $418 - 478
Civil Engineer III      448-508 478-538
Civil Engineer IV       508-568 546-616
Landscape Architect   350-400 418-478
Architectural Draftsman III      370 - 420 418 - 478
Mechanical Engineer       448-508 478-538
Radio Engineer     448-508 478 --538
Electrical Engineer II       380 - 430 418 - 478
Highway Maintenance Man II    220 - 250 252 - 292
Highway District Foreman      302-342 340 - 390
The salary adjustments have
been approved by the civil service
board at a recent hearing. From
there the report has been submitted to the Commissioner of Administration for approval. The
effective date of the adjustments
will depend upon the date of final
approval, according to this civil
service regulation:
^As as   possible   but   not
1^^ than one month after the effective date of any amendment to
the salary plan, the rates to be
paid to employes in positions of
any class for which a rate is established or changed shall be adjusted as follows:
a. The salary of any employe
who is paid at less than the minimum of the range prescribed for
the class to which his position has
been allocated shall be increased
to the minimum rate established
for the class.
b. The salary of any employe
who is paid between the minimum
and maximum of the range prescribed for the class to which his
position has been allocated shall
not be changed by reason of the
new scale except that if his salary
does not fall on a step within the
range it will be  adjusted to
Fiext higher step."
There may be some question on
the part of employes involved relative to individual salary adjustments according to this schedule if
the employes are between the
minimum and maximum of the old
pay range. For example: All Civil
Engineers II who are now receiving less than $418 per month will
be adjusted to $418. All those receiving $420 will receive an adjustment to the next high new rate
of $430; while those receiving $430
will stay at that rate.
The same procedure will be followed in making adjustments for
other affected classes except for
Highway Maintenance Man II and
Landscape Architect whose new
minimum is higher than the former
maximum.
In addition, employes of these
classes who have been at the maximum rates for their classes for one
year or more will be considered
for a one-step merit increase on
adjustment.
The classes affected by this
board decision include Civil Engineer II, III, IV; Highway Maintenance Man II; Highway District
Foreman; Mechanical Engineer;
Radio Engineer; Architectural
Draftsman III; Landscape Architect; and Electrical Engineer.
Grievance Procedure Outlined In
Governor's Message To Employes
In a memorandum dated August 18, 1953, Governor C. Elmer
Anderson outlined a procedure to be followed in presenting grievances
and problems relating to conditions of employment by employes of
the state.
A copy of this memorandum has been made available to each
employe of the Highway Department through normal distribution
channels. Therefore, it is requested that each Hiwayman read this
memorandum and the Executive Order carefully so that each may
fully understand the procedure.
It will be the responsibility of each employe to become familiar
with the grievance procedure and for each person in a supervisory
capacity to have a thorough knowledge of it in order to discuss the
matter competently with employes.
Whenever a Hiwayman feels he has a bonafide grievance he should
discuss this with his immediate supervisor—the first step outlined in the
memorandum. Following steps are outlined, as well as the time in
which action must be taken.
This is one of the office or shop procedures which may affect
anyone and which everyone should know. You are urged to take it
out of the desk drawer or file and read or re-read it as the case may be.
Highway Fair Exhibit
Successful Again
Repeating its successes in the
past, the Highway Department
again scored a success in its presentation at the Minnesota State
Fair. Compliments came from
many visitors on the beauty of the
displays and the excellence in their
messages. With equal candor,
those who prepared the many
other fine exhibits in the building
were loud in their praises.
Outside of the map distribution
center, the exhibit showing how
the new Highway Patrol radio system will operate was the best
crowd-stopper. Using a relief map
of the state on which tiny radio
towers were located, patrol officers
explained to thousands how emergency messages could be received
by the patrol and transmitted to
and answered from any place in
the state. They also explained how
the system worked  together with
the radio systems of various counties and cities who have them in
operation, as well as the state conservation and crime bureau operatives.
An experiment this year was the
operation of a "recruiting center"
aimed at informing the public on
the opportunities of careers in
state service. A technician from
the Civil Service Department and
a representative of the Highway's
personnel section were on constant
duty. They explained the duties
and responsibilities of various jobs,
possibilities of job openings, gave
out hundreds of application
blanks. All together they created
a very favorable impression among
the visitors of the extent of state
service and the need for qualified
persons in all branches.
The fair closed its doors too near
press time to have adequate coverage this issue. But next month
we will carry a series of pictures
taken there, with a more complete
story of the fair.