Last week LACERA, the Los Angeles County Coalition of Unions and County staff met several times in an effort to reach a December 1 deadline to have new pension plans in place that comply with Gov. Browns new Public Employee Pension Reform Act (PEPRA). 

The outcome held good and bad news.  The good news is that LACERA has determined that all current items of pensionable compensation and plan design for existing employees is a vested right, protectedy by state and federal law and cannot be challenged. There will be NO changes to pensionable income, highest single year, contributions, health care etc.. there will be no changes to any aspect of active employee plans.

LACERA Board of Retirement approved the following language in a board memo (see attached):

"After thorough analysis, staff recommends that no change be made in the items
included in the definition of "compensation earnable." Therefore, as to current members,
the items your Board has already determined qualify as "compensation earnable" will
remain includable when calculating a member's final compensation."

This means ALL items of compensation currently recognized will not change (Vacation, Sick, Holiday, Bonus position, etc).

The bad news is that PEPRA is forcing LACERA to set up Safety Plan C, and General Plan G that members will be placed as of December 1, 2012.  New members will be defined as those that are new members of LACERA as of December 1.  If a member has time with another agency prior to Dec. 1 and has not been separate for too long, LACERA will recognize that employee as a Plan B safety member.

Safety Plan C and General Plan G will contain:

1. Highest 3 years compensation for purposes of retirement.

2. Pensionable income must be an integral part of thier job duties, and must be available to everybody in their class (Paramedic, EMT, Haz Mat are all OK) other bonus' did not pass the test (Fit for Life, Uniform allowance).

3. No more use of Vacation, Sick, Holiday time for purposes of retirement

4. No more "30-n-Out"

The new plans are far from ideal for new employees.  Local 1014 is actively meeting with anybody who will hears us, meeting regularly with the county and seeking any legal avenues to improve these plans.  

 

We did it! In the past your Executive Board has called on the Membership and asked for help to make sure our voice is heard. Once again we made the call and this time it was for a very heavy lift from our Membership.

The 2012 California Firefighters Memorial Uniformed firefighters, family members and dignitaries from throughout California gathered Saturday to pay tribute to those who gave their lives to protect the lives and property of Californians.   Continuing a solemn autumn tradition, the California Firefighters Memorial added the names of 40 California firefighters who fell in the line of duty.

 We have crerated a new page for our members to help you get informed and eductaed on Popositions 32.  Log in and select No on 32 information on the left hand side of this screen to find out how to get involved and stay informed.

911 9/11/2001 is a day we shall never forget. On that day we lost 343 members of our firefighting family as well as many Americans were not only killed that day but their families lives were changed forever. Let's never forget the sacrifices our brothers and sister firefighters made that day and continue to make every day.

    Monday September 3rd is Labor Day. A day that became a Federal Holiday in 1894.  Labor Day is a day that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.   Labor Day pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers.

Penision reform in the news..again Today, Governor Brown held a press conference to announce a sweeping pension reform plan that claims to save billions of taxpayer dollars through a cut in all California pension systems. Many of the changes offered do not affect current LA County Employees. Some do - enclosed is a summary of the pension proposals that affect our retirements.

President’s Report – Executive Board Meeting – August 9, 2012 Retirement security for retirees, active duty and prospective or new hire public safety employees… Have you given this any thought?  How safe are we in protecting our level of benefits for retirement and health care.

Pomona Update August 7, 2012   Monday night August 6th the Pomona City Council voted 5-2 (Mayor Rothman and Councilman Rodriguez supported us and voted NO) to approve a plan to move E-181 to 185’s, temporarily close E-185 and work to consolidate resources at a new FS 182.

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