by Ron DeLord | Jan 10, 2017 | Australian unions, Canadian unions, Collective Bargaining, Fire, Health Insurance, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions, United Kingdom
For the past 40 years, the majority of law enforcement personnel could depend on regular salary increases, better health care and pension benefits while reaping the advantages of belonging to a police union that was learning how to gain and use political power....
by Ron DeLord | Jan 10, 2017 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
Pensions: California, which is known for its earthquakes, just had a major one. Didn’t feel it? You will. This quake isn’t the earthshaking kind, but rather the state’s decision to recognize reality when it comes to its insolvent public-employee...
by Ron DeLord | Jan 10, 2017 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
DES MOINES — The process by which Iowa’s state troopers, correctional facility staff and teachers — among others — negotiate their wages and benefits with the state appears destined for changes in 2017. One of the options being discussed in the Iowa Capitol — which is...
by Ron DeLord | Jan 10, 2017 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
Flint is facing another crisis — but this one doesn’t involve its drinking water. The city’s pension system is severely underfunded and getting worse, and that leaves the future viability of the city uncertain, no matter what happens with its water lines. Flint’s...
by Ron DeLord | Jan 10, 2017 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
James Mussenden doesn’t bring up his pension in casual conversation. No point getting his golf partners’ blood boiling. The retired city manager of El Monte collects more than $216,000 a year, plus cost-of-living increases and fully paid health insurance. “It’s giving...
by Ron DeLord | Jan 10, 2017 | Collective Bargaining, Fire, Labor, Pensions, Police, Politics, Public Employees (Non-Sworn), Unions
Cities and states across the country are facing public employee pension debt that is challenging and, in some cases, crippling their budgets. But some municipalities are experimenting with ways to solve that problem. In San Jose, California, voters passed a set of...