THE RESULTS ARE IN from the AFT Public Employees membership survey.

When it comes to wages and salaries, opportunities for advancement and promotion, and having a voice in policy decisions, upward of 65 percent of AFT Public Employees members say their employer is falling short.

Peter D. Hart Research Associates conducted the telephone survey on behalf of AFT Public Employees in January. Findings from that survey were reinforced by the union’s online survey this spring.

Rising healthcare costs, too much paperwork and contracting out government jobs to private companies were among the top problems respondents said they face on the job. Respondents also cited low wages as the number one reason their agency or department has difficulty recruiting and retaining workers.

Sixty percent of respondents also feel that the public does not have the proper level of respect and appreciation for the work done by public employees.

Only 44 percent of respondents were “very satisfied” or “fairly satisfied” with their overall work situation. (See graph below.)