Weekly News – Dec. 27, 2013
Pollster gives unions roadmap to fight California pension proposal
A union coalition called Californians for Retirement Security hired a polling firm, the Garin-Hart-Yang Research Group, to help figure out what voters respond to when it comes to the current issues surrounding public pensions. These poll results could be very helpful for unions who are trying to present a message that appeals to the general public.
Rising stocks push U.S. public pension assets to record highs
In spite of all the doom-and-gloom forecasts about public pension shortfalls, the fact is that U.S. public pension assets have risen to record highs along with the stock market in 2013. The 100 largest public-employee retirement systems in the U.S. reached a total of $3.06 trillion in the third quarter, almost a 50% increase from 2009’s low of $2.1 trillion.
Law firm, formerly representing police unions, sued for fraud, malpractice
Prominent law firm Lackie, Dammeier, McGill & Ethir, who represented police unions across Southern California, is being sued by PORAC (Peace Officers Research Association of California). The suit alleges everything from malpractice to fraud to accusations of bullying council members and planting tracking devices on their cars. Let’s file this one under “what not to do when re-negotiating your contract.”
Mayor calls hiring civilian dispatchers “common sense”
This Connecticut mayor thinks that hiring civilian dispatchers is an obvious and easy way to save money. However, the signed agreement between the city and the union provides 180 days to negotiate the impact of this hiring change. Union President Bob Nappe wants to know how it is possible that the town is already posting want ads for these civilian hires when the 180-day negotiation period hasn’t taken place. Mayor Maturo is also suggesting that the city hire “floating” patrolmen not assigned specific shifts, but assigned as-needed.
How much of the fallout from Detroit bankruptcy is applicable in California?
In this article, attorney Harvey Leiderman points out some crucial differences between the treatment of pensions in Detroit and California. The California state constitution has some statutes that may protect retirees’ pensions in a way that they were not protected in Michigan, even when faced with federal bankruptcy court.