RI gov vows to reform state employment system

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) -- Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee is vowing to modernize the state's personnel system, saying the way state government hires and classifies its workers is inefficient and bloated.

The independent governor on Monday released a report concluding the state's hiring systems are outdated and that compensation and benefits are often based on a convoluted system that divides the state's 13,000 jobs into 1,700 different classifications.

For example: state government has eight different job descriptions for janitors. In other cases, workers doing the same job may have different compensation or prospects for advancement based on their job classification.

Chafee says his administration plans to work with unions to streamline the system. Chafee also says he wants the state to put its job application process online.