UPEA Open House Addresses Merit

Utah Public Employees’ Association hosted an open house to give public employees more information about proposed changes to the Merit System.
The open house addressed issues that have arisen since the Department of Human Resource Management revealed its intent to change the Personnel Management Act. Subsequently, legislators at the Government Operations and Political Subdivisions interim committee admonished DHRM to articulate its intent and move slowly with any proposed changes.


While attendees munched on hors d’oeuvres, UPEA Executive Director, Audry Wood; UPEA Deputy Director, Dennis Hammer; consultant, Thomas Bielen; and Salt Lake City Councilman, Randy Horiuchi, answered questions.

Employees asked how Georgia public employees faired after that state eliminated their merit system. DHRM Executive Director, Jeff Herring, said Georgia turnover rates improved; however, UPEA has found that specific departments in Georgia still have high turnover rates. What’s more, their pay scale has not gone up.

UPEA staff has met with many legislators to discuss the issue and why the merit system is so important to public employees. UPEA’s work has paid off so far, but the association will continue to voice member concerns throughout the interim.

When asked why people should join UPEA, City Councilman, Randy Horiuchi said, “As a group, you have a louder voice on the Hill.”

While addressing questions, the panel made it clear that employees need to take center stage with this issue. Bielen emphasized that members and employees need to talk about this issue with everyone.

Bielen said, “You have tremendous power. All we’re here to do is give you information. From there, you need to tell anyone who is registered to vote about this issue. Make sure your voice is heard 10 times over.”

Panel members acknowledged that public employees often face an uphill battle in the public eye. One of the misperceptions is that unqualified employees maintain their jobs in state government interminably.

“We’re concerned that the public will see this as a way to get rid of bad employees,” Hammer said, “but this is also a good way to get rid of good employees.”

Furthermore, the panelists urged the public to understand that the merit system was established to eliminate nepotism in state government.

Horiuchi said, “The Merit System was created because gang bosses and corrupt governments who place friends, families, or those who fit the politician’s agenda into public office. The Merit System protects government agencies from political coercion.”

UPEA knows that the current merit system can adequately serve the needs of human resource managers if the departments follow the procedures. The Personnel Management Act ensures that employees are given due process in their jobs, but also ensures that the public has a workforce they can trust.