Breech of Contract?

[Doug W]

What is the name of your state? Florida
Two years ago, (2002) a governmental agency paid 1/3 of its employees a substantial increase as part of a class upgrade. The remaining 2/3's were to receive the increase in each of the successive years, (2003 and 2004) As part of this process, all employees were given training for additional responsibilities they were required to qualify for to receive the increase. All completed the training but no one else has received the increase. With 1/3 of the employees receiving such a significant incrase working side by side the issue has become a major distraction. Is this a breech of contract? Is this illegal and if so what is the proper recourse for those affected. There is a reasonable fear on the part of those affected that taking any action could lead to retaliation from management. Management has been highly evasive to this point stating that "its in the works" but now claiming that more work needs to be done to complete the process and pay the othe employees.

 

[Beth3]

Is this a breech of contract? What contract? Did the employees receiving something in writing guaranteeing a pay increase?

 

[Doug W]

No Written Contract

There was no specific written contract. However there were several elements such as a rating system to divide the employees into the three groups (those receiving the increase in the 1st, 2nd and 3rd year), a requirement that all take a course to qualify them for special duty that was part of the deal and a number of meetings where the increase was openly discussed. Senior management has been extremely careful to avoid providing documents detailing the plan. Over the past year there have been many informal discussions about the delays but all are vague and evasive in nature. There is documentation such as memos and emails between members of the management team and a rider on the state budget requesting the funds. However, none of these items are accessible to those affected and the only means of securing them would be through a legal process.