Letter From the director Warning Signs Letter From the Treasurer Shon Buford “...If this measure passes and is upheld in court, i t w i l l b r i n g unprecedented changes that will take us back fifty plus years.” Brothers and Sisters Earlier this year, I wrote about a series of political storms that were sweeping through the Bay Area. We were experiencing yet another round of midyear cuts, and the members of the Executive Board were working hard to protect the interest of this local, while being fiscally helpful to the City during these difficult economic times. There were many dark and gloomy days, but with the collaborative efforts of both labor and government we made it through it. Well brothers and sisters, the storms of scapegoating and blame have turned into hurricane warnings. The State of California has been hit by a category 3 hurricane, Arnold, which could be followed by a category 4 hurricane, Whitman, if supporters of labor don’t get out and vote in this November election. To use an old adage, “When it rains, it pours”, please take heed to this. <strong>San</strong> <strong>Francisco</strong> is in the path of a category 5 hurricane, Adachi-Webber, which could be the worst of them all. Pension reform has been the talk of this country for the past five years, but it’s taken a new form over the past two years. Recently on a YouTube weekly address (06/18/2010), David Crane, special advisor to Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger for jobs and economic growth, spoke about the Governor’s plans for pension reform. As part of this plan, Governor Schwarzenegger wants to roll back pension benefits to 1999 levels for new hires, and permanently increase employee pension contributions for current employees, while putting an end to a perceived spiking practice. Aside from the comments made by Mr. Crane, Governor Schwarzenegger has also stated that he will not sign a budget that does not have pension reform. All forms of media have been covering this topic, and both labor and government have been working together to address it. All Eyes on <strong>San</strong> <strong>Francisco</strong> <strong>San</strong> <strong>Francisco</strong> has been a long time barometer for the rest of the country on social issues. The spotlight switched to <strong>San</strong> <strong>Francisco</strong> again as we reached the height of the recession. Reporters from the New York Times, LA Times, and various other newspapers flocked to <strong>San</strong> <strong>Francisco</strong> to cover stories surrounding the Mayor’s proposed 37.5 hour work week. If implemented, this proposal would have resulted in massive job loss and a reduction in work weeks for many more. The labor community formed the Public Employees Committee(PEC), and were able to work out a comprehensive plan that saved the majority of jobs and work week, while saving the City and Country of <strong>San</strong> <strong>Francisco</strong> over $250 million dollars over the next two years. The world was able to see how government and labor can effectively work together and serve its citizens. Coverage of pension reform will be the same. Hurricane Adachi-Webber is on its way. This measure is ill willed and flawed. It has taken the form of pension reform, but it is much much more. As written, Hurricane Adachi-Webber would: - Nearly double the health care cost for most public employees, resulting in even higher cost for some; - Raise the contribution rates for current employees in to the retirement system(to reduce liability cost); - Would require an arbitrator to take retirement and health benefits into account while resolving disputes in collective bargaining; - And if any court invalidates any part of this proposition, any increase in employee compensation would be prohibited for five years; If this measure passes and is upheld in court, it will bring unprecedented changes that will take us back fifty plus years. If billionaires like Michael Mortiz, the major funder of this proposition, and other venture capitalist like him succeed in this ill willed effort, other cities and states across our country will try to do the same. This measure in just another attack by the greedy Wall Street companies who are largely responsible for the cash on Wall Street. Pension reform is coming, but this isn’t the way. The Adachi-Webber campaign is wrong. Let’s remember our oaths, stand up and fight this measure. Once defeated, let us work together towards sensible reform.
Retired Members Corner This section is dedicated to all the retired members of <strong>Local</strong> <strong>798</strong> who worked many long hours to maintain and improve the working conditions and benefits enjoyed by all <strong>San</strong> <strong>Francisco</strong> Fire Fighters. Retirees’ efforts established a solid framework of working conditions and benefits for active members to build upon. Let us never forget. www.sffdlocal<strong>798</strong>.org Main Line 23
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