PENSIONS/BUDGET

Local government officials say Walker's 'tools' will not work

Wausau Daily Herald, Wausau, WI

1:31 AM, Mar. 17, 2011  

Gov. Scott Walker did not provide enough cost-saving tools to help local governments overcome the deep cuts in state aid they expect, officials said Wednesday as they reviewed the latest estimates.

http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/article/20110317/WDH0101/103170450/0/WDH020510/Local-government-officials-say-Walker-s-tools-will-not-work?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Pension reform bill has some older workers ready to quit

Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, NH

Thursday, March 17, 2011

DOVER— Senate Bill 3, better known as the pension reform bill, cleared another hurdle Wednesday, being passed in the Senate, while area firefighters say they are keeping a wary eye on legislation that could potentially create significant change to their retirement benefits.

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110317/GJNEWS_01/703179749/-1/fosnews

Senate backs bill to raise pension contributions

Nashua Telegraph, Hudson, NH

Thursday, March 17, 2011

CONCORD – All public employees would contribute more to their pensions and public safety workers would have to work longer to receive retirement benefits under legislation the state Senate endorsed Wednesday.

http://www.nashuatelegraph.com/newsstatenewengland/912707-227/senate-backs-bill-to-raise-pension-contributions.html

Atlanta moves toward pension reform

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

6:39 p.m. Wednesday, March 16, 2011

After months of debate, haggling and threats of litigation, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed finally unveiled his plans to revamp the city’s pension program, which would reduce the annual and long-term costs of the program that he said has been crippling the city.

http://www.ajc.com/news/atlanta/atlanta-moves-toward-pension-874557.html

Local officials in Waukesha County gauge state aid cuts

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI

March 16, 2011

Waukesha - New state aid projections under the proposed state budget released this week show cuts as deep as some local officials were anticipating.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/118105819.html

Lakeland's Fire and Police Pension Boards, City Manager At Odds

At issue is future role of Lakeland's retirement system administrator.

The Ledger, Lakeland FL

Published: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 11:26 p.m.

LAKELAND | The city's fire and police pension boards voted Wednesday to send a letter to City Manager Doug Thomas requesting that he reinstate the retirement system's administrator's computer access.

http://www.theledger.com/article/20110316/NEWS/103165047/1134?Title=Pension-Boards-City-Manager-At-Odds

City unions, officials eye progress of Senate Bill 5 closely

Aurora Advocate, Ravenna, OH

March 16, 2011

Aurora -- Controversial Senate Bill 5 has attracted the attention of local labor unions, politicians and city administrators during the past several weeks.

http://www.auroraadvocate.com/news/article/4999205

Legislative pension pang

Sarasota Herald-Tribune, Sarasota, FL

Published: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 1:00 a.m.   Last Modified: Tuesday, March 15, 2011 at 8:22 p.m.

The members of a Florida Senate committee must have had a momentary pang of conscience last week.

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20110316/OPINION/110319652/-1/news?Title=Legislative-pension-pang

West Warwick budget would cut work force by 13 percent

Providence Journal, Providence, RI

01:00 AM EDT on Wednesday, March 16, 2011

WEST WARWICK — Town Manager James Thomas proposes cutting 13 percent of the town’s work force through layoffs and attrition to balance the budget for the next fiscal year, according to a plan he presented to the Town Council Tuesday night.

http://www.projo.com/news/content/WW_BUDGET_03-16-11_6MN182K_v16.193f91f.html

Jones lifts police, fire hiring freeze in wake of new pension bill

Charleston Gazette, Charleston, WV

March 14, 2011

CHARLESTON, W.VA. -- Charleston Mayor Danny Jones lifted his year-old freeze on hiring firefighters and police officers Monday after state legislators passed a bill to give cities an alternative way of meeting their pension debts.

http://wvgazette.com/News/201103140593

Latest report on pension, health care spending predicts nightmare scenario

San Francisco Examiner (blog)

Created Mar 15 2011 - 3:06pm

The latest report on pension and health care funding for city workerspaints a bleak picture.

http://www.sfexaminer.com/blogs/under-dome/2011/03/latest-report-pension-health-care-spending-predicts-nightmare-scenario

Budget deficits forecast for Palo Alto
Despite recent cuts, city struggles to contain long-term costs

Palo Alto Online, Palo Alto, CA

Uploaded: Tuesday, March 15, 2011, 7:48 AM    

Recent layoffs and salary freezes will not save the City of Palo Alto from years of budget deficits as health care and pension costs continue to spike across the state, the city's finance officials said Monday night.

http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=20397

House approves minimum retirement age for public employees to keep pension program healthy

The Republic, Columbus, IN

First Posted: March 15, 2011 - 6:21 pm  Last Updated: March 15, 2011 - 7:32 pm

SANTA FE, N.M. — The House approved a proposal Tuesday to improve the solvency of New Mexico's public employee pension programs by establishing a minimum retirement age of 55 and limiting cost-of-living increases in some government workers' and educators' retirement benefits.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/2bd2ea533e8d4110b198c731cd45fbd6/NM-XGR--Retirement-Age/

UPDATE: St. Louis Fire Department layoffs

KSDK,  St. Louis, MO

1:12 PM, Mar 15, 2011  

St. Louis (KSDK) - Thirty St. Louis firefighters are being laid-off. In addition, another 24 positions are being cut through attrition. The layoffs will be based on seniority.

http://www.ksdk.com/news/article/249519/3/Layoffs-at-the-St-Louis-Fire-Department

Memphis Mayor A C Wharton unveils revisions to city's pension plan

City also considers furloughs, reduction in salaries to stave off $70M deficit

Memphis Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

The Wharton administration met with city union leaders Monday to brief them on proposed limits to the city's pension system, which is saddled with a $531 million unfunded liability.

http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2011/mar/15/wharton-unveils-pension-revisions/

Senators propose that Minnesota state workers contribute more to pensions

State workers would pay greater share

Pioneer Press, St. Paul, MN

Updated: 03/15/2011 12:00:19 AM CDT

With Wisconsin's battle over public benefits still an open sore, two Republican state senators introduced legislation Monday requiring most public employees in Minnesota to pick up a greater share of pension contributions.

http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_17613989?nclick_check=1

Budget issues are Muskego mayoral priority

Candidates ready to face cutbacks in funding

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI

March 14, 2011

Muskego — The city's next mayor will have to deal with cutbacks in state aid and more than likely state-imposed tax levy limits if Gov. Scott Walker's budget is approved, and the two candidates running in the April 5 election say they are up for the task.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/waukesha/117983459.html

Action delayed on pension-plan changes in Warwick

Providence Journal, Providence, RI

01:00 AM EDT on Tuesday, March 15, 2011

WARWICK — The City Council delayed discussion Monday night on a pension-reform proposal from Mayor Scott Avedisian because all the necessary research data had not yet been received.

http://www.projo.com/news/content/WARWICK_PENSION_03-15-11_HVN0RKN_v9.17865aa.html

Firefighters launch TV ad slamming lawmakers over pension

Palm Beach Post, West Palm Beach, FL

March 11th, 2011

Firefighters rescuing politicians out to give them a pay cut?

http://www.postonpolitics.com/2011/03/firefighters-launch-tv-ad-slamming-lawmakers-over-pension/comment-page-2/

Solving SF's pension crisis even tougher than imagined

San Francisco Chronicle (blog)
March 14 2011 at 04:15 PM

You've got major credit card debt. Can you solve the problem by vowing to pay off all your future credit card purchases in a timely matter without tackling the bills that already exist? It doesn't take a PhD in economics to know the answer, sadly, is no.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/blogs/cityinsider/detail?entry_id=84990

Atlanta Mayor to Decide on City Pensions

MyFox Atlanta, Atlanta, GA

Updated: Monday, 14 Mar 2011, 7:31 PM EDT  Published : Monday, 14 Mar 2011, 6:54 PM EDT

ATLANTA - A lawyer told Mayor Kasim Reed that he can change the pensions for city employees. One union leader representing the city's firefighters says that legal opinion is dead wrong.

http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/dpp/news/atlanta-mayor-to-decide-on-city-pensions-031411

Senator Mike Parry and Senator Gretchen Hoffman introduce pension shift bill

Monte News, Montevideo, MN

Posted Mar 14, 2011 @ 01:49 PM

Montevideo, MN — In an effort to bring employee pension participation more in line with the private sector, Senator Mike Parry (R-Waseca) and Senator Gretchen Hoffman (R-Vergas) introduced a pension shift bill Monday. The bill asks that government employees provide 3 percent more and government employers spend 3 percent less towards pensions.

http://www.montenews.com/news/x1777808050/Senator-Mike-Parry-and-Senator-Gretchen-Hoffman-introduce-pension-shift-bill

Fla. pension system favors judges, elected officials

Palm Beach Post, West Palm Beach, FL

Posted: 11:06 p.m. Sunday, March 13, 2011

For the hundreds of thousands of public workers in Florida's statewide pension plan, not everyone is treated equally. The best benefits go not to teachers or rank-and-file office workers, but to a small minority of high earners including judges and elected officials

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/state/fla-pension-system-favors-judges-elected-officials-1319376.html

Labor rally set at city park area in Melbourne

Florida Today, Melbourne, FL

6:27 AM, Mar. 14, 2011 

Public-sector workers such as teachers, firefighters and librarians will rally March 20 in Wickham Park against looming belt-tightening from the Florida Legislature.

http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110314/NEWS01/103140308/Labor-rally-set-city-park-area-Melbourne?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Ctext%7CLocal%20News

Police spouses join fight against pension reform

Seacoastonline.com, Portsmouth, NH

March 14, 2011 2:00 AM

Bobbie Kozlowski and her police officer husband moved to New Hampshire six years ago, in part because of the pension he was promised. Now caught in a national wave of cries for pension reform, the couple is worried their retirement promise may be broken.

http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20110314-NEWS-103140319

Florida pension benefits: Especially good for elected officials, judges

Orlando Sentinel, Orlando, FL

9:08 p.m. EDT, March 13, 2011

For the hundreds of thousands of public workers in Florida's statewide pension plan, not everyone is treated equally — the best benefits go not to teachers or rank-and-file office workers, but to a small minority of high earners including judges and elected officials.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/fl-pension-elected-officials-20110313,0,3321743.story

Government pensions no longer a sure thing

Lancaster Eagle Gazette, Lancaster, OH

Mar 13, 2011  

More and more questions have been asked about the state's five public pension funds, in descending order of size: Public Employees Retirement System, State Teachers Retirement System, School Employees Retirement System and police and firefighters pensions, which together send checks to nearly 400,000 retirees.

http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20110313/OPINION02/103130309

Records show glaring disparities between different Ann Arbor labor groups' benefit packages

AnnArbor.com, Ann Arbor, MI

Posted: Mar 13, 2011 at 5:52 AM [Mar 13, 2011]

It's early on a Friday morning and Ann Arbor City CouncilMember Stephen Rapundalo is shaking his head, a look of distaste frozen in his eyes.

http://www.annarbor.com/news/records-show-glaring-disparities-between-different-ann-arbor-labor-groups-benefit-packages/

GOP jumps the shark on unions

Lompoc Record, Lompoc, CA

Posted: Sunday, March 13, 2011 12:00 am

Some Republican elected officials have now officially “jumped the shark” in their campaign to eliminate unions.

http://www.lompocrecord.com/news/opinion/editorial/article_a17b64b6-4d2f-11e0-a7fe-001cc4c03286.html

Retirement bill a good compromise

Foster's Daily Democrat, Dover, N.H.

Sunday, March 13, 2011
Opponents of SB3, a bill to reform the financially plagued state employees' pension system, have raised some valid concerns. As a result, the Senate Executive Departments and Administration Committee made changes in the bill before giving it a 4-1 “ought to pass” vote and sending it to the Senate floor as soon as Monday.

http://www.fosters.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110313/GJOPINION_01/703139930/-1/FOSNEWS

LAYOFFS/CONTRACTS/SAFER

City workforce faces layoff notices

Costa Mesa employee association president says morale 'is in an all-time bottom.'

Daily Pilot, Costa Mesa, CA

7:11 PM PDT, March 16, 2011

COSTA MESA — About 213 Costa Mesa employees — nearly half of the city's workforce — can expect layoff notices on Thursday, officials said.

http://www.dailypilot.com/news/education/tn-dpt-0317-layoffs-20110316,0,7267542.story

Mansfield firefighters agree to negotiate

Mansfield News Journal, Mansfield, OH

6:44 AM, Mar. 16, 2011  

MANSFIELD -- Mansfield firefighters are willing to reopen their contract to help battle the city's precarious budget, according to union president Phil Dollish.

http://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/article/20110316/NEWS01/103160302

Reno firefighters agree to some concessions to bring four firefighters back

Reno Gazette Journal, Reno, NV 

March 15, 2011  

Reno firefighters have agreed to concessions that will bring four laid off firefighters back to work through June 30.

http://www.rgj.com/article/20110315/NEWS/110315026/1321/news/Reno-firefighters-agree-to-some-concessions-to-bring-four-firefighters-back

Rescue strategy: City firefighters are in the best position to prevent layoffs

STLtoday.com, St. Louis, MO

Posted: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 9:00 pm

Mayor Francis G. Slay’s decision to lay off city firefighters should come as no surprise to anyone who has been watching budget numbers at City Hall or the long-running staredown between the firefighters union and the mayor’s office. Tuesday’s decision merely filled in specific numbers — 30 firefighters to be laid off and 24 more firefighter jobs to be eliminated through attrition.

http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/columns/the-platform/article_9aa3833c-5020-11e0-bb13-00127992bc8b.html

City of St. Louis to lay off 30 firefighters

St. Louis Public Radio News

Tue March 15, 2011

The St. Louis firefighters union lashed out at city hall today after the mayor announced the layoffs of 30 firefighters.

http://news.stlpublicradio.org/list/term/1371

Lancaster considers conditions of grant that could bring back laid-off firefighters

Lancaster Eagle Gazette, Lancaster, OH

8:29 PM, Mar. 14, 2011

LANCASTER — The city is weighing whether to accept a grant that would bring back four firefighters laid off to help balance its 2011 budget.

http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20110314/NEWS01/110314011/1002/Northbound-lane-Memorial-Drive-close-Tuesday-repairs/Lancaster-considers-conditions-grant-could-bring-back-laid-off-firefighters?odyssey=nav%7Chead

Firefighters Union Offers Plan To Avoid Cuts To Police Dept

North Central Ohio

originally posted on: 3/16/2011 12:52:27 PM

The Mansfield firefighters union has offered to reduce its minimum manning clause in an effort to help the city balance its budget and reduce cuts to the police department.

http://www.northcentralohio.com/newsboard/single.asp?Story=45391

Malden may not accept all of federal grant to add firefighters

Boston Globe

March 16, 2011 10:04 AM

Malden Mayor Richard C. Howard has given early signals that he will accept part of a $2.2 million federal grant to rehire fire personnel, the fire chief said Tuesday.

http://www.boston.com/yourtown/news/malden/2011/03/mayor_may_level-fund_fire_dept.html

Camden brings back some police, firefighters

Asbury Park Press, Neptune, NJ

12:32 PM, Mar. 17, 2011  

CAMDEN — Camden Mayor Dana Redd said Thursday that she'll rehire 50 of the police officers and 15 firefighters laid off earlier this year amid a budget crisis in the crime-ridden city.

http://www.app.com/article/20110317/NJNEWS10/110317017/Camden-brings-back-some-police-firefighters

Lake Forest Firefighters Negotiate First Contract in 30 Years

Negotiations lasted 18 months, the last six in arbitration.

Patch.com

March 16, 2011

For the first time in 30 years, firefighters have negotiated their first union contract with the city of Lake Forest.

http://lakeforest.patch.com/articles/lake-forest-firefighters-negotiate-first-contract-in-30-years

City, firefighters reach tentative deal

Albany Times Union, Watertown, NY

MONDAY, MARCH 14, 2011

OGDENSBURG — The city and the union representing its firefighters have reached a tentative agreement on a new labor agreement.

http://www.watertowndailytimes.com/article/20110314/NEWS05/303149975

Lancaster considers conditions of grant that could bring back laid-off firefighters

Lancaster Eagle Gazette, Lancaster, OH 

8:29 PM, Mar. 14, 2011

LANCASTER — The city is weighing whether to accept a grant that would bring back four firefighters laid off to help balance its 2011 budget.

http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/article/20110314/NEWS01/110314011

City union OKs pact ahead of bargaining law

Contract for police support staff includes retroactive raises

Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Milwaukee, WI

March 14, 2011

Just two weeks before a new state law would erase most of its bargaining power, a Milwaukee city employees' union has voted to ratify a 2007-'09 contract that would provide retroactive raises to almost 400 workers.

http://www.jsonline.com/news/milwaukee/117983444.html

LOCAL SCENE

Firefighters support addition of four more cancers to Workers Compensation Act

Winnipeg Free Press, Winnipeg, Manitoba

Posted: 03/17/2011 7:08 AM

WINNIPEG -- The city firefighters union is appearing in the Manitoba Legislature today to lend support to a bill that adds four cancers to those already covered by the Workers Compensation Act.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/Firefighters-support-addition-of-four-more-cancers-to-Workers-Compensation-Act-118160254.html

Wilkinsburg council moves on fire company merger

Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Pittsburgh, PA

Thursday, March 17, 2011

In recent years, Wilkinsburg contracted its garbage service with the City of Pittsburgh, and now the borough's paid fire department is following suit.

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11076/1132495-56.stm

Union questions North Shore fire service study

BCLocalNews

Published: March 16, 2011 1:00 PM  Updated: March 16, 2011 1:56 PM

District of North Vancouver’s firefighters’ union has some burning questions regarding a study on North Shore services.

http://www.bclocalnews.com/news/118115554.html

WI Firefighters Spark "Move Your Money" Moment

Huffington Post

Posted: March 12, 2011 10:24 AM

On the day that the bill passed the Wisconsin Assembly effectively ending 50 years of collective bargaining in Wisconsin and eviscerating the ability of public unions to raise money through dues, a new front opened in the battle for the future of Wisconsin families.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mary-bottari/wi-firefighters-spark-mov_b_834879.html

Firefighters stage protest against Tribune Chronicle

Warren Tribune Chronicle, Warren, OH

March 15, 2011

WARREN - Warren firefighters staged an informational picket Monday morning outside the Tribune Chronicle, claiming the newspaper's coverage of Senate Bill 5 has been unbalanced.

http://www.tribtoday.com/page/content.detail/id/554450/Firefighters-stage-protest-against-Tribune-Chronicle.html?nav=5021

Feelings against fire chief heating up

CBS 21, Harrisburg, PA

Published: 3/14 5:03 pm  Updated: 3/14 9:36 pm

The Lancaster City Fire Union officially filed its 'no confidence' vote against the fire chief on Monday.  The union said their fire fighters don't feel safeon the job.  The decision doesn't have any bearing on the department's operations. 

http://www.whptv.com/news/local/story/Feelings-against-fire-chief-heating-up/1PC0_WSHu0ykMfUCAZ6LNw.cspx

Florida Senate panel OKs halting automatic union dues payment

TBO.com, Tampa, FL

Published: March 14, 2011  Updated: 03/14/2011 01:03 pm

Legislation that would prevent union dues from being automatically withheld from workers' paychecks has passed its first Senate committee.

http://www2.tbo.com/content/2011/mar/14/141303/florida-senate-panel-oks-halting-automatic-union-d/news-breaking/

Debate over ending union dues deductions

Proposal would end payroll deduction of union dues

WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL

Posted: 03/14/2011

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - Dozens of police and firefighters packed the Senate Committee meeting room to fight what they are calling a Wisconsin-type effort to hurt unions.

http://www.wptv.com/dpp/news/state/debate-over-ending-union-dues-deductions

La Marque: Administration, firefighters communicate

KHOU, Houston, TX

Posted on March 14, 2011 at 10:04 AM

LA MARQUE, Texas — August 2009 seems a long time ago when you consider the political turmoil the city has been through the during past two years.

http://www.khou.com/news/neighborhood-news/La-Marque-administration-firefighters-communicate-117928649.html#

Firefighters union endorses Conde for Canton mayor

Canton Repository, Canton, OH

Posted Mar 15, 2011 @ 02:58 PM   Last update Mar 16, 2011 @ 11:11 AM

CANTON — The Canton Professional Firefighters’ Association Local 249 is endorsing Republican A.R. “Chip” Conde in the mayor’s race.

http://www.cantonrep.com/newsnow/x698050318/Firefighters-union-endorses-Conde-for-Canton-mayor

Fire union fights merger
Court, grievance hearings on rescue crew

Waterbury Republican American, Waterbury CT
Sunday, March 13, 2011 4:07 AM EDT

WATERBURY — The firefighters union is going to court and to the state to stop the city from merging two fire crews.

http://www.rep-am.com/articles/2011/03/13/news/local/545043.txt