by Ron DeLord | Dec 17, 2015 | Fire, Labor, Police, Politics, Unions
TEMPE, Ariz. — Firefighters in Tempe will soon have quicker access to active shooting victims. A new policy puts them on the front lines with police, allowing them to treat and evacuate victims at an active crime scene. While police will have to clear the space before...
by Ron DeLord | Dec 17, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
Along with “mortgage-backed securities” and “bank-owned homes,” one of the chief bogeymen of the bad old days of the Great Recession was the phrase “pension liabilities.” As you watched your 401(k) and quite possibly your home...
by Ron DeLord | Dec 17, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
Three years ago, then-Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and the City Council voted to reduce the retirement benefits they would offer to future civilian hires, in an effort to curtail the growing pension costs that have been consuming more and more of the city budget. This...
by Ron DeLord | Dec 8, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Health Insurance, Labor, Police, Politics, Unions
SAN ANTONIO — The city of San Antonio has lost the first round of its legal battles against the police and fire labor unions Monday when visiting Judge Martha Tanner rejected its arguments that a portion of its contracts with the unions are unconstitutional. In...
by Ron DeLord | Dec 8, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
Gov. Tom Wolf’s administration might negotiate labor contracts, but a new proposal could give Pennsylvania lawmakers some options. State Rep. Garth Everett, R-Lycoming, has floated a three-point plan that would give lawmakers greater oversight over labor deals struck...
by Ron DeLord | Dec 8, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
SAN JOSE — City officials Friday announced tentative settlements on Measure B pension reforms with eight unions, bringing San Jose closer to replacing the controversial measure voters approved in 2012 that slowed the growth in retirement costs but launched a...
