Villaraigosa to announce pension and healthcare deal with largest city union
Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa will announce at 4 p.m. Thursday what his office characterized as a "landmark pension and healthcare reform agreement" with the largest labor union representing workers at City Hall.
In a statement, the mayor's office said the three-year deal with the Coalition of L.A. City Unions would save the city nearly $400 million over the next four years and end employee furloughs prompted by the city's continuing financial crisis.
"These savings -- achieved through a variety of measures including a freeze in salary increases and an end to cash overtime -- also avoid the equivalent of 600 layoffs for city workers," the statement said.
If approved by the rank and file in voting expected to start April 1, union members would begin to contribute 2% to their retiree healthcare benefit with that contribution increasing to 4% July 1, the start of the next fiscal year. That would bring the total retirement contribution for all union workers to 11%, up from the current 6%.
A full story will follow after the news conference.
-- William Nottingham
EDITOR'S PICKS:
Many general employees (non-safety) in the County of Orange pay as much as 16% of their paycheck to pay for their public pension. Why don't they do that in Los Angeles?
Also, I think firefighters and sheriff's deputies should also pay their fair share toward their pension and health care plan. I also think Supervisors such as John Moorlach and Janet Nguyen should pay their fair share too!
Posted by: Martin | March 24, 2011 at 04:16 PM
Jerry, are you watching? Let's hope so.
Posted by: Greg Maragos | March 24, 2011 at 04:38 PM
A deal that should of been made 3 years ago at the minimum. Big deal Tony!
Too little, too late for LA.
Posted by: AndreaU8 | March 24, 2011 at 04:55 PM
This deal should include our elected leaders as well. Our elected leaders should have their pensions, and health care cut to balance the budget. Our Pint Size Mayor only needs four deputy mayors to do his job for him.
Posted by: TAM | March 24, 2011 at 05:00 PM
So they will be agreeing to a 5% pay cut. That's 9% points or so better than they were doing with the furlough days, but it's still a permanent pay cut.
Posted by: Carol | March 24, 2011 at 05:30 PM
It is ridiculous to be sold out time and again by this coalition who partners with the city to further there goals.
Taking services away from the public to force labor concessions is the new way of doing business for City Hall.
I hope the Tax Payers wake up when fees increase, services reduce and taxes stay the same.
Blaming a workforce who dedicates themselves to serving the public empowers the politicians to continue to play the financial games they do.
When will the workers wake up and see how bad this is getting ?
Posted by: lacityworkers.com | March 24, 2011 at 05:56 PM
I smell rat here.
Posted by: carlos cahuas | March 24, 2011 at 06:00 PM
The city could cut so much waste,why don't they do it?
Posted by: john | March 24, 2011 at 06:02 PM
Big deal!! If they would have been doing this all along, the city and its taxpayers wouldn't be in this mess in the first place. Took dire situation to get the overpaid, overbenefitted union thugs to give a little.
Posted by: Think123 | March 24, 2011 at 06:47 PM
And then what Villagrossa? Do you even think that would make a ding to the California's debt?
We are so sick of paying for the illegal alien's anchor baby.
NO MORE ANCHOR BABIES.
I will vote anyone who can promise this.
Posted by: then what | March 24, 2011 at 08:55 PM