Pension fund director open to”shared sacrifice” by discussing reduced benefits for current members

by rondelord | May 14, 2014 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Unions

FLORIDA – The executive director of the Jacksonville Police and Fire Pension Fund said Monday the fund is open to discussing reductions in pension benefits for current police and firefighters as part of comprehensive pension reform. John Keane, who is...

Missouri union bill includes exemption for first responders

by rondelord | May 14, 2014 | Fire, Labor, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions

A bill in the Missouri Legislature that would force public employees to give annual written consent for money automatically deducted from their paychecks includes exemptions for first responders. The legislation would essentially force unions to obtain permission from...

City rejects police plan as talks continue

by rondelord | May 14, 2014 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Health Insurance, Labor, Police, Politics, Unions

SAN ANTONIO — Lawyers representing the city in negotiations with the San Antonio Police Officers Association on Monday rejected the union’s proposal to take charge of its members’ health care but left the door open for the labor group to offer a new...

Majority of City Unions Vote to Support Health Care Savings Proposal

by rondelord | May 14, 2014 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Health Insurance, Labor, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions

The Municipal Labor Committee, an umbrella group of New York City unions, voted Monday in support of a proposal championed by Mayor Bill de Blasio that is expected to generate $3.4 billion in health care savings. Several public safety unions—the Uniformed Firefighters...

Pension reform: Slowed by judge’s ruling, San Jose delays key part of Measure B

by rondelord | May 4, 2014 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions

SAN JOSE — In the latest setback for San Jose’s landmark pension reform, city officials have agreed with their employee unions to wait at least another year to implement certain pension and pay cuts following a judge’s ruling. The provisions of...

Public employee union ratifies 4-year contract with Rhode Island with 6 percent pay hike

by rondelord | May 4, 2014 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions

PROVIDENCE, Rhode Island — The public employee union Council 94 has ratified a new collective bargaining agreement with the state of Rhode Island that includes a 6 percent pay increase. The vote announced Friday was 1,514-to-759. Gov. Lincoln Chafee announced a...