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IRC employee donates pay increase to coworker

In recent times, some professional sports stars have waged protracted battles for higher salaries, fighting for raises that make the entire salaries of ordinary people look like throwaway change.

But on Tuesday, the organization that handles recycling programs for three Blair County municipalities approved allowing one employee to give his entire 2019 salary increase to another.

Intermunicipal Relations Com­mittee Executive Director John Frederick introduced the subject diffidently, saying he had “an usual request” from a worker.

It took the board aback when he explained.

Is it legal? asked member Jim Patterson.

How much money is involved? asked member Erik Cagle.

Shouldn’t the request be in writing from the benefactor? Cagle asked.

Given that no union is involved, it seems legal, said solicitor Dan Stants.

The requested change would mean the benefactor’s salary would remain at $27,800, while the beneficiary’s would go up 6 percent instead of 3 percent — from $24,400, said Katrina Pope, education and enforcement coordinator.

That gives the beneficiary a $1,400 increase, rather than half that amount, Pope said.

It wouldn’t hurt for the benefactor to write a memo to affirm his intention, Stants said.

The approval resulted in a line item adjustment to the 2019 budget.

The board declined to disclose the identities of the pair.

The benefactor turned over his raise in recognition that the beneficiary is “an important asset” to the organization and as a sign of appreciation — and in hopes she doesn’t get discouraged, Frederick said.

None of the IRC staffers “are in the upper tax brackets,” Frederick observed.

The giveaway shows how much of a “team atmosphere” prevails within the IRC, Frederick said.

“It’s a nice gesture,” Patterson said.

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