Scott Shackford Analyzes San Bernardino’s Fire Union Woes in the Press-Enterprise

by rondelord | Jul 13, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Politics, Unions

Years after filing for bankruptcy, the Detroit of the West Coast—San Bernardino, California—is struggling to hammer out an exit plan. Not helping are their public sector unions, who have resisted deeper cuts, even though the city is running out of choices. As a...

City officials consider seeking legal judgment to block union challenges to public safety fund reforms

by rondelord | Jul 6, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Unions

Disturbed by the number of union lawsuits and grievances challenging voter-approved reforms to Portland’s public safety pension and disability fund, city leaders are considering asking a judge to ban collective bargaining over these firefighter and police...

Bills seek to increase pensions for some retired troopers

by rondelord | Jun 29, 2015 | Labor, Pensions, Politics, Unions

LANSING, Mich. (AP) – The Michigan Legislature is considering a proposal to raise the pensions of 96 former state troopers who retired three or more decades ago to ensure they get at least $16,000 a year. The state Senate unanimously approved two bills June 17...

3% cut on Fort Smith agenda to shore up 2 pensions’ funds

by rondelord | Jun 29, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions

FORT SMITH — Fort Smith city directors are considering cuts in the general fund budget to come up with additional money to keep fire and police pension programs solvent. Meeting in a study session earlier this week, two directors voted to put on the July 21...

Scranton mayor wants Pennsylvania to manage city pension funds

by rondelord | Jun 29, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions

(Reuters) – Scranton, Pennsylvania, Mayor William Courtright said on Thursday the state should take over the city’s pension system after a report found problems with past benefit awards in one of the funds. Courtright, a Democrat, said the most recent...

California Ballot Measure Would Cut Public Pensions

by rondelord | Jun 29, 2015 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions

A proposed ballot measure unveiled Thursday would reduce pension payments for state and local government employees in the nation’s most populous state. Former San Diego Councilman Carl DeMaio and former San Jose Mayor Chuck Reed will try to tap the same sense of...