CHAFFEE'S PAYROLL: JUST FOLLOW WAGE-HOUR LAWS

Chaffee city councilmen face an unusual problem.

Typically, when an hourly worker's time cards indicate he is staying on the job only four or five hours a day when he's expected to stay eight, it is reflected in his overall job performance. For example, there might be complaints from customers and abundant evidence of poor work habits or even laziness.

That's not the case with the Chaffee Solid Waste Department.

The department has one salaried supervisor and three other full-time hourly workers who make about $9 an hour plus benefits. The hourly workers typically put in only 32 hours or so each week, although they are paid for a full 40-hour week.

But many residents of Chaffee -- the customers, in this case -- absolutely rave about the city's trash pickup service. Theresa Robinson, a floral designer, recently recounted how she'd cleaned her entire house from top to bottom one weekend. The result: innumerable bags of trash all over her front lawn.

She expected the city to invoke a bag limit and only pick up half or even less, collecting the other bags over future pickups.

When she came home that Monday evening, every bag was gone. "I am not only satisfied, I am amazed here lately," Robinson said.

Her comments are echoed over and over by residents who enjoy two trash pickups a week for $10 a month. Some compliment workers for keeping refuse in its place and not allowing it to scatter during collection. Others marvel at how gentle waste collectors are with citizens' trash cans, meaning fewer replacements.

But Councilman Ron Davis has a valid point. He believes the workers cost the city about $25,000 annually in wages and benefits they don't actually earn. He wants residents to contact council members and give their opinions so the council can resolve the matter at the council's regular meeting 7 p.m. Monday.

But there might be more at stake than taxpayer dollars, money that city taxpayers don't seem to mind losing.

There are federal wage-and-hour laws that require hourly employees to keep records of their time and be paid according to those records. If employees of other city departments perceive unfair treatment, they might be eager to tip off the authorities to the disparities.

The simple solution for Chaffee is to study the law and comply with it, regardless of what residents have to say.