At its regular monthly meeting on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 the New Orleans Civil Service Commission unanimously approved a plan for a new pay structure increasing the lowest pay rate for city employees to $15 an hour. The updated pay plan, which is based on the availability of funds, would be effective in January of 2022.
Numerous written comments submitted in favor of the increases were read at the meeting which was held virtually. Comments submitted included those from New Orleans Fire Department employees and union representatives, as well as City Councilmembers Helena Moreno, Kristin Gisleson Palmer, and Cyndi Nguyen who indicated their strong support for the pay increase.
Civil Service Commission Chairperson Brittney Richardson issued the following statement relative to the initiative, “I’m pleased with the collaborative efforts of the Civil Service Department and the City of New Orleans in developing a $15 pay proposal that would not only advance the living wages for New Orleans public servants and classified employees, but would better position the city to attract and retain premier talent. Furthermore, I thank my fellow commissioners for their promptness to act and approve this important proposal.”
The approved plan will increase pay for approximately 200 different job classifications. The increase impacts positions in almost every City department and the Sewerage and Water Board. Notable positions included in the increase are Juvenile Detention Officers, Firefighters, Water Meter Readers, Heavy Equipment Operators, Police Technicians and Specialists, and several Recreation positions.
Civil Service staff drafted the new pay plan in response to an ordinance sponsored by City Councilmembers Jarred Brossett and Kristin Gisleson Palmer requiring the department to evaluate and provide recommendations to the Civil Service Commission and City Council relative to establishing a minimum wage of $15 per hour.
The new pay plan will be sent to the City Council for approval. The City Council is expected to vote on the plan in the fall of 2021.
