PENSIONS/BUDGET

Christie's tax cut / N.J. can't afford it

Press of Atlantic City, Pleasantville, NJ

Posted: Sunday, January 22, 2012 12:01 am

Gov. Chris Christie's concept of New Jersey's fiscal health is confusing.

The governor apparently believes things are so bad that cities have to learn to make do with fewer police officers and firefighters, and school districts have to adapt to having fewer teachers and less money to maintain facilities.

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/opinion/editorials/christie-s-tax-cut-n-j-can-t-afford-it/article_7b05ad26-36a9-5b4b-98f5-29d2f5f6f69c.html

Police, firefighter, general employee pension changes expected around April 1

Palm Beach Daily News, Palm Beach, FL

Updated: 6:47 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 22, 2012   Posted: 6:47 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 21, 2012

The deep pension cuts the town plans for its police officers, firefighters and general employees are expected to take effect around April 1, Town Manager Peter Elwell said Thursday.

http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/police-firefighter-general-employee-pension-changes-expected-around-2116339.html

Denver financial task force proposes wage cap, new fees to close budget gaps

Fox 31 KDVR.com

3:36 p.m. MST, January 23, 2012

DENVER --Wage caps for city employees, higher property taxes and new fees for trash collection are among the proposals put forth Monday by a group of city officials and citizens who have been looking at ways to close the city's structural budget gaps.

http://www.kdvr.com/news/politics/kdvr-denver-financial-task-force-proposes-wage-cap-new-fees-to-close-budget-gaps-20120123,0,6658287.story

NH bill would create new public pension system

Boston.com

January 22, 2012

Last year, Republican lawmakers shifted more of New Hampshire’s public pension costs onto workers to ease employers’ expenses. Now, they’re proposing a parallel plan for new employees that lacks a guaranteed lifetime benefit.

http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-22/news/30653203_1_retirement-payment-public-pension-benefit-system

Malloy Calls For Funding State Pensions

Malloy Blames Rowland For SEBAC Deal in 1995

Hartford Courant, Hartford, CT

6:12 p.m. EST, January 23, 2012

HARTFORD— Just days after a key Wall Street rating agency downgraded the state's bonds, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy called upon the state legislature to pour more money into the state pension plan.

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/capitol-watch/hc-malloy-calls-for-funding-state-pensions-20120123,0,7021994.story

City budget guru says auditor's plan to pay off outstanding bills is unecessary

Massillon Independent, Massillon, OH

Posted Jan 19, 2012 @ 11:57 PM   Last update Jan 19, 2012 @ 11:58 PM

MASSILLON — Budget Director Ken Koher said Auditor Jayne Ferrero’s plan to strip $3 million from general operating revenue to pay the city’s outstanding bills is unnecessary “shock therapy.”

http://www.indeonline.com/newsnow/x347335033/City-budget-guru-says-auditors-plan-to-pay-off-outstanding-bills-is-unecessary

Okla. House leaders push pensions, consolidation

The Republic, Columbus, IN

First Posted: January 19, 2012 - 5:06 am    Last Updated: January 19, 2012 - 5:59 pm

OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma House Republicans provided details Thursday of proposals to consolidate state government and prop up its underfunded pension systems, initiatives started last year that GOP leaders said have already saved taxpayers money.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/73c0ed8e2deb43c29f3fcba1347065c9/OK--House-Republicans/

Firefighters in Fight Over Presumptive Benefits

First Coast News, Jacksonville, FL

Wednesday, January 18th, 2012, 10:32am

JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. -- Jacksonville Beach is the latest city in Florida to show their support for police and fire pension reform, specifically measures that would take away presumptive benefits for heart and lung issues.

http://beaches.firstcoastnews.com/news/news/70349-firefighters-fight-over-presumptive-benefits

Fairfax should consider boosting retirement age to protect pension system, consultants say

Washington Post (blog)

Posted at 08:25 AM ET, 01/18/2012

Fairfax County should consider raising its retirement age from 50 to 55 to keep its pension system on sound footing, according to a consulting firm’s report unveiled Tuesday.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/virginia-politics/post/fairfax-should-consider-boosting-retirement-age-to-protect-pension-system-consultants-say/2012/01/17/gIQAVfNp7P_blog.html

DeLand gives initial approval to police pension boost

Daytona Beach News-Journal, Daytona Beach, FL

January 18, 2012 12:05 AM

DELAND - Police officers could see a boost in their retirement benefits with city commissioners giving initial approval Tuesday night to an increase in their pension fund's cost-of-living adjustment.

http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/west-volusia/2012/01/18/deland-gives-initial-approval-to-police-pension-boost.html

Seminole tackles fire pension

Tampa Bay Newspapers, Seminole, FL

Article published on Tuesday, Jan. 17, 2012                                                                                 

SEMINOLE – The long and arduous task of finding solutions to the city’s increasing cost to fund the Seminole Municipal Firefighters Pension Trust Fund began Jan. 10 when City Manager Frank Edmunds warned City Council of the challenges ahead.

http://www.tbnweekly.com/pubs/seminole_beacon/content_articles/011712_smb-02.txt

Police and firefighters sue Hollywood over pension referendum

Sun-Sentinel, Fort Lauderdale, FL

6:22 p.m. EST, January 17, 2012

HOLLYWOOD— Police and firefighters are suing the city over drastic pension changes, saying the city used prejudicial ballot language and conducted an improper public relations campaign when it took the issue to voters in a September special referendum.

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-hollywood-lawsuit-brf-20120117,0,3482748.story

New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo goes all-in with series of huge reforms in budget proposal

It's my way or highway, says hard-charging Gov. Cuomo

New York Daily News

Tuesday, January 17 2012, 11:07 PM

ALBANY — Bent on reform as a remedy for budgetary ills and expensive bureaucracy, a hard-charging Gov. CuomoTuesday proposed landmark changes to the public pension system and the way teachers are graded for performance.
http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/york-gov-andrew-cuomo-all-in-series-huge-reforms-budget-proposal-article-1.1007630?localLinksEnabled=false

Alabama House speaker wants changes to state retirement systems

al.com (blog), Huntsville, AL

Published: Sunday, January 15, 2012, 7:25 AM Updated: Sunday, January 15, 2012, 7:57 AM

HUNTSVILLE, Alabama -- Alabama House Speaker Mike Hubbard said Friday taxpayers can't continue to support an investment strategy that cost the state $1 billion last year for public employees' retirement benefits and matching contributions.

http://blog.al.com/breaking/2012/01/alabama_house_speaker_wants_ch.html

City to stay in Municipal League

Critics say state-wide organization neglects needs of mid-size cities

Muskogee Daily Phoenix, Muskogee, OK

Sun Jan 15, 2012, 12:40 AM CST

— City councilors decided to maintain Muskogee’s membership with a statewide organization made up of Oklahoma municipalities despite widespread criticism.

http://muskogeephoenix.com/local/x1267394289/City-to-stay-in-Municipal-League

Council must be responsible to taxpayers, and police, when deciding pensions

Palm Beach Daily News, Palm Beach, FL

Updated: 8:45 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012    Posted: 7:35 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, 2012

Wednesday will likely be disappointing for Palm Beach police. The Town Council will hear from both management and union reps, discuss among themselves, and then vote to reduce pension benefits by a lot.

http://www.palmbeachdailynews.com/news/council-must-be-responsible-to-taxpayers-and-police-2102524.html

Chafee names members of RI municipal pension panel

Boston.com

January 13, 2012

Gov. Lincoln Chafee (CHAY’-fee) has appointed two labor leaders and a police sergeant to a panel formed to find ways to fix Rhode Island’s troubled municipal pension.

http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-13/news/30624531_1_municipal-pension-lincoln-chafee-unfunded-liability

LAYOFFS/CONTRACTS/SAFER

 Corner Brook firefighters set strike date

CBC News, Toronto, ON

Posted: Jan 23, 2012 10:25 AM NT   Last Updated: Jan 23, 2012 12:29 PM NT

Corner Brook firefighters say they are prepared to strike Jan. 30.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2012/01/23/nl-corner-brook-firefighters-123.html

Union protests cuts in overtime

Firefighters say they’re put at risk

Boston.com

January 22, 2012

When Lawrence shuttered a fire station and laid off 23 of its firefighters in 2010, recalls North Andover Fire Lieutenant Timothy McGuire, officials in his town and others were sharply critical when the beleaguered city routinely called upon its neighbors for help.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2012/01/22/dwindling_ot_budget_leads_to_shift_reductions_in_north_andover_fire_department/

Fire talks fail amid $200k bid: Union decries Kirk's absence with key offer in play

The Gloucester Daily Times, Gloucester, MA

Fri Jan 20, 2012, 05:57 AM EST

Mayor Carolyn Kirk said the local firefighters union rejected a city offer of more than $200,000 in raises aimed at bringing some staffing concessions and settling negotiations toward a new contract amid new talks Thursday.

http://www.gloucestertimes.com/local/x647566415/Fire-talks-fail-amid-200k-bid-Union-decries-Kirks-absence-with-key-offer-in-play

Somerville, firefighters break stalemate, settle on eight-year contract

Boston.com

January 20, 2012

In a sudden resolution to a five-year stalemate between the City of Somerville and the union that represents local firefighters, both sides Thursday night announced an eight-year contract agreement worth $3.72 million in back pay that also includes three future raises.

http://articles.boston.com/2012-01-20/yourtown/30644037_1_contract-agreement-local-firefighters-somerville/2

Council considers fire union contract

Firefighters agree to wage freeze and to pay more for health care.

Middletown Journal, Middletown, OH

Updated 3:35 PM Thursday, January 19, 2012

MIDDLETOWN — Firefighters have agreed to no wage increases for at least two years and to double their health care payments, according to a new three-year IAFF contract City Council is considering.

http://www.middletownjournal.com/news/middletown-news/council-considers-fire-union-contract-1314807.html

Union Members Pack State House For Bill Hearings

Union Officials Say Bills Chip Away At Workers' Rights

WMUR Manchester, Manchester, NH

POSTED: 12:18 pm EST January 19, 2012     UPDATED: 1:13 pm EST January 19, 2012

CONCORD, N.H. -- About 400 members of a variety of state unions packed the State House on Thursday to oppose several bills that they said would take away union workers' rights
http://www.wmur.com/newsarchive/30250914/detail.html

Pa. court rules for paramedics, rebuffing Nutter

Philadelphia Inquirer, Philadelphia, PA

January 20, 2012

A state court ruled Thursday that about 200 city paramedics belong to the Philadelphia Firefighters Union bargaining unit, a victory for International Association of Firefighters Local 22 and a blow to Mayor Nutter.

http://articles.philly.com/2012-01-20/news/30647610_1_paramedics-court-rules-appeals-court

State court sides with Philly firefighters union in dispute over status of paramedics

The Republic, Columbus, IN

First Posted: January 19, 2012 - 12:08 pm     Last Updated: January 19, 2012 - 3:59 pm

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Paramedics employed by the Philadelphia Fire Department are entitled to the same collective-bargaining rights as the firefighters they work with, a state appellate court says in a decision released Thursday.

http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/67007ee9d26a484a8728d98f1283d7de/PA--Philadelphia-Paramedics/

Firefighters' union in Monroe's District 3 offers givebacks on contract

MyCentralJersey.com, Somerville, NJ

9:04 PM, Jan. 18, 2012

MONROE— The union representing Monroe’s Fire District 3 made concessions in the third and final year of an established contract with the hope of avoiding layoffs next year.

http://www.mycentraljersey.com/article/20120118/NJNEWS/301180032/Firefighters-union-in-Monroe-s-District-3-offers-givebacks

Firestorm brewing as city manager outlines cuts to KC department

In a department largely spared in the past, 105 positions would be lost under proposal.

The Kansas City Star

Posted on Tue, Jan. 17, 2012

For the first time in many years, Kansas City’s firefighters could feel the heat of layoffs under a $1.3 billion budget proposal submitted Tuesday by City Manager Troy Schulte.

http://www.kansascity.com/2012/01/17/3375454/kc-manager-proposes-big-budget.html

City, Firefighters dispute contract

The Somerville News, Somerville, MA

On January 18, 2012

A contract dispute between the city and the firefighters’ union, Local 76 to the tune of $4.3 million is set to go before the public today and tomorrow, with a final hearing before the Board of Aldermen financial matters committee on January 30. The dispute, which goes back to 2007, is whether or not to award the firefighters four successive pay raises, amounting to about 13 percent.

http://www.thesomervillenews.com/archives/22407

City, firefighter union reach accord; police lobby to remain open around the clock

Champaign/Urbana News-Gazette

Tue, 01/17/2012 - 10:05pm

CHAMPAIGN — Deputy Chief Troy Daniels said today that city officials decided the police department's lobby could remain open to the public for 24 hours per day with minimal disruption to the front desk employees' other duties, even with a skeleton staff.

http://www.news-gazette.com/news/courts-police-and-fire/2012-01-17/city-firefighter-union-reach-accord-police-lobby-remain-open-

Arbitrator rules city must return to 49 on-duty firefighters

The State Journal-Register, Springfield, IL

Posted Jan 17, 2012 @ 11:00 PM    Last update Jan 18, 2012 @ 05:37 AM

A federal arbitrator has ruled that the city of Springfield must have at least 49 firefighters on duty every day.

http://www.sj-r.com/top-stories/x255290444/Arbitrator-favors-firefighters-over-city

Could Budget Cuts Delay Fire Response Times?

The Fire Union Says Yes. The Fire Chief Says No.

KCCI Des Moines, Des Moines, IA

POSTED: 9:32 pm CST January 16, 2012    UPDATED: 7:49 am CST January 17, 2012

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The Des Moines Firefighters Union says a proposed $600,000 budget cut could slow emergency response times for firefighters.

http://www.kcci.com/news/30226932/detail.html

Corner Brook firefighters nix agreement: may strike anytime

CBC News, Toronto, ON

Posted: Jan 16, 2012 9:25 PM NT    Last Updated: Jan 17, 2012 6:34 AM NT

Firefighters in Corner Brook have overwhelmingly rejected a tentative contract with the city, and could go on strike at anytime.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2012/01/16/nl-16jan12-firefighters.html

Downers Grove OKs raises for firefighters

TribLocal,

Jan. 16 at 1:07 p.m.

A deeply divided Downers Grove Village Council recently voted to approve a three-year contract with the village’s firefighters union that will give firefighters a 1 percent raise in the current fiscal year and 2 percent raises in the years ending in April 2013 and April 2014.

http://triblocal.com/downers-grove/2012/01/16/downers-grove-oks-raises-for-firefighters/

Plans to merge Saginaw, Buena Vista and Bridgeport fire departments in 'holding pattern'

MLive.com, Flint, MI

Published: Monday, January 16, 2012, 11:30 AM

SAGINAW — Saginaw is seeking a state grant to studythe possibility of starting a fire district with Buena Vista and Bridgeport townships.

http://www.mlive.com/news/saginaw/index.ssf/2012/01/plans_to_merge_saginaw_buena_v.html

Dunmore Fire Department can still expect SFD assistance, though there will be differences

Scranton Times-Tribune, Scranton, PA

Published: January 16, 2012

Despite the recent cuts to the Scranton Fire Department, the Dunmore Fire Department still can expect its assistance on confirmed structure fires, Scranton Fire Chief Tom Davis said Friday.
http://thetimes-tribune.com/news/dunmore-fire-department-can-still-expect-sfd-assistance-though-there-will-be-differences-1.1258205#axzz1kKdWbYQC

Tough to swallow
Unions, council members demand that city spit out details of new dental plan

The Hudson Reporter, Hoboken, NJ

Jan 15, 2012
The City Council has refused to authorize an agreement between the city and Horizon Healthcare Services for dental insurance for municipal employees.
http://hudsonreporter.com/view/full_story/17141470/article-Tough-to-swallow-Unions--council-members-demand-that-city-spit-out-details-of-new-dental-plan-?instance=secondary_stories_left_column

Tacoma: Proposed concessions from police, fire unions could spare 100 public safety jobs from layoffs

TheNewsTribune.com (blog)

Jan. 13, 2012 at 6:35 pm

Proposed layoffs of about 100 Tacoma police officers and firefighters may be avoided entirely under concessions proposed by bargaining teams for the city’s public safety unions, police and fire labor representatives said Friday.

http://blog.thenewstribune.com/politics/2012/01/13/tacoma-proposed-concessions-by-police-fire-unions-could-spare-100-public-safety-layoffs/

Cleveland's laid-off firefighters shut out of EMS test

Plain Dealer (blog), Brooklyn, OH

Published: Friday, January 13, 2012, 8:25 PM Updated: Saturday, January 14, 2012, 8:15 AM

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Some laid-off Cleveland firefighters with medical training want to take a test to join the city's ambulance service, but they aren't eligible for the exam.

http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2012/01/clevelands_laid-off_firefighte.html

Judge reverses award for city firefighters’ raises

Buffalo News, Buffalo, NY

Updated: January 14, 2012, 6:29 AM

A judge has vacated another arbitration award — this time at City Hall’s request — that would have given retroactive pay raises to Buffalo’s firefighters.

http://www.buffalonews.com/city/communities/buffalo/article709295.ece

LOCAL SCENE

Nanticoke Firefighters union supports Komen for the Cure

Wilkes Barre Times-Leader, Wilkes-Barre, PA

Posted: January 23  Updated: Today at 12:40 AM

Nanticoke City Career Firefighters Local 2655 recently presented the Northeastern Pennsylvania Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure with a check for $1,500 which was raised through the sale of special T-shirts designed by the firefighters. At the check presentation, from left: Richard Bohan, lieutenant and committee chair; Michael Bohan, fire chief; Dolly Woody, executive director, Susan G. Komen for the Cure Northeastern Pennsylvania Affiliate; Travis Temarantz, committee chair; and John Polifka, treasurer, IAFF 2655.

http://www.timesleader.com/community/Nanticoke_Firefighters_union_supports_Komen_for_the_Cure_01-22-2012.html

Fire Department: We Are Not Fundraising

Residents are reportedly getting bogus fundraising calls.

Patch.com

·         January 16, 2012

Westborough Fire DepartmentCaptain Joe Lawrence said today that the department is not fundraising.

http://westborough.patch.com/articles/fire-department-we-are-not-fundraising

Firefighter ‘brotherhood’ watches over family of N.C. fire captain

Chicago Sun-Times

January 14, 2012 2:24PM

Will Caviness ran. He ran to work in the morning. He ran home at night.  He ran pushing his baby daughter in a stroller — 15 miles at a time

http://www.suntimes.com/9957175-417/firefighter-brotherhood-watches-over-family-of-nc-fire-captain.html