Vote No On Anti-Public Worker Initiatives-SF Union Tops Pushed Concessions For Retirees

Vote No On Both Anti-Public Worker Initiatives-SF Pension Reform & The Health Service System & SF City Union Tops Excluded SF City Retirees From Negotiations With Proponents
Questions about
PENSION REFORM AND THE HEALTH SERVICE SYSTEM
Isn’t it true that the Retirement System will be going broke?
The Retirement Fund is presently solvent and performing well, despite this economic downturn. It is, in fact, a model for other municipalities. It has never suffered the same crises as San Diego or Orange County. It makes conservative investments and did not invest heavily in real estate securities that went south to the detriment of the economy. No one disputes that it is well managed.
But aren’t costs rising for contributions to the Retirement System Fund?
These costs rise like other costs rise. The present city budget of 2011 is not the same as that of 1971. And the budget will continue to increase as it has before. Costs for pensions rise like those for food, utilities, automobiles, and housing costs. Pensions rise to meet the cost of living.
Those city employees contribute nothing for pensions!
But they do! City employees have contributed in good times and bad toward their pensions. In the midst of an economic boom from 1996-2002, the city contributed nothing to the Retirement Fund; city employees did. City employees have always contributed even when the city has not.
What about pensions taking away from our city services?
Interesting that you brought that up! The same guys that attack pensions have also attacked city services, saying that there have been too many civil servants for San
Francisco and that we are overgenerous as a city. They’ve always wanted to reduce
services, including supporting cutbacks in the city budget. Now, they proclaim themselves as champions of services, blaming senior citizens for their pensions. There is no guarantee that services will be improved or increased with pension reform.
But haven’t the unions agreed to pension reform?
Yes and no. The union leaders have opposed the Adachi initiative for pension reform but support the measure put forward by Ed Lee. The union leadership approved the measure proposed by Sean Elsbernd and Ed Lee but not the rank and file, some of whom are upset by these measures. Retirees were never consulted about these matters which vitally affect them.
Shouldn’t the taxpayer have a say in the Health Service System?
Since the passage of Proposition C, the Health Service System has operated quite efficiently, passing every audit of its operations budget flawlessly. The Health Service System Board has acted responsibly in respect to formulating copayments, premiums, drug prescriptions and benefit coverage; it has saved the city millions of dollars in doing so. Important decisions require a 2/3 majority. With the replacement of an elected seat by one selected by the Controller, a simple majority will be required for critical decisions which can have disastrous impact on those severely ill.
Shouldn’t the Health Service System issue be treated separately?
You’re right! It should! The proposals to change the governance of HSS were buried under a sea of pension reform legislation. This issue should be voted upon serparately on its merits.
Well, I have to vote on one initiative or the other, don’t I?
Ofcourse, not! You, the voter, have the right and the responsibility to vote your conscience! You can reject both measures. In fact, you have the moral obligation to do so!
Vote NO on both initiatives this November!
Herbert J. Weiner h.weiner(at)sbcglobal.net

High paid bureaucrats many with big pensions and benefits are pushing concession on SF City retirees