CUC grants salary hikes to some personnel

At least three employees of the cash-strapped Commonwealth Utilities Corp. have been promoted or given salary hikes over the past five months, while at least six others have been approved to be promoted or to receive extra benefits, the Saipan Tribune learned.

CUC documents showed that a former electrical specialist 1 received a 54-percent increase—amounting to $19,957.49—in his annual salary after being promoted to the position of wastewater manager.

Previously paid $1,418.98 bi-weekly or $36,893 a year, the CUC wastewater manager now receives $2,186.58 per payday or $56,851 annually.

His promotion was requested by CUC executive director Lorraine Babauta on May 17, 2005 and approved on May 31, 2005.

Another employee was moved from the position of trade specialist to trade supervisor, receiving a 2-percent pay hike amounting to $6,788 annually.

The promotion raised the employee’s yearly salary from $34,211,99 to $41,000. It took effect on Oct. 2, 2005.

Babauta also recently approved a “within-grade increase” for a former customer service supervisor, raising his annual pay from $48,331.46 to $49.781.40.

According to a CUC document, the pay hike was supposed to become effective on Aug. 13, 2002. But it was approved only on Sept. 19, 2005.

A separate document approved on the same day showed that the same employee was re-classified from customer service supervisor to administrative support specialist. The action did not cause any change in the worker’s compensation.

The promotions and salary hikes were certified by both CUC budget officer Bettina G. Terlaje and CUC comptroller Sohale Samari.

Furthermore, an Oct. 5, 2005 memorandum issued by CUC power generation manager Almondo C. Santos to Babauta indicated that at least six other employees were being considered for promotion, pay increases, or additional benefits.

Santos recommendations included:

* The promotion of an administrative support assistant to administrative support technician. CUC’s fiscal year 2005 budget shows that the employee is currently paid $21,300 a year. The only employee currently holding the position of administrative support technician in the power generation division receives an annual salary of $30,802.

* The promotion of a trade assistant/helper, with an annual salary of $18,540, to trade technician. The salaries of existing trade technicians in Santos’ division range between $15,400 and $34,783.

* The promotion of a trade specialist, with an annual salary of $19,662, to trade technician.

* The reclassification of a purchasing technician, with an annual salary of $19,662, to trade technician.

* The reclassification of a purchasing specialist, who earns $21,017 a year, to trade technician.

* Hazard pay for an administrative support assistant, with a current salary of 18,000.

“[Y]our outmost support to provide [hazard] pay, promote, or reclassify the above personnel would surely enhance development of staff within the division…,” Santos said.

The memorandum showed that Babauta approved Santos’ recommendations on the same day it was sent to her, on the condition that “all requirements are met.”

The Saipan Tribune called Babauta’s office and left a message for her yesterday. She has not called back as of press time.

CUC’s widely reported financial crisis, as well as its inability to pay for fuel and to repair and maintain power generators, was the main reason cited for the Gov. Juan N. Babauta’s May 19 state of emergency declaration at the utility.

At least $5.1 million have reportedly been reprogrammed from federal and local funding sources to assist CUC in its operations.