CURRIN: I know that many communities and their public workers have been working toward a greater contribution on their pension and their health care. That has to be addressed for those perhaps who haven't stepped up to the plate on that, to recognize the need.
Elyria's new mayor, Holly Brinda, also says the "conversation" must continue to find "new ways of doing business," in the public sector such as eliminating "automatic" pay raises for employees.
BRINDA: I think a well designed, well administered compensation system should not require longevity pay, for example. Unfortunately, a lot communities like Elyria have relied for too long on longevity pay as a way to make salaries competitive.
Brinda says Elyria already has succeeded with some employee groups eliminating longevity pay but through negotiations, not mandates.