Public Pension Cuts? Yes Please, Says California

Wisconsin isn't the only place where big unions lost ground

Tuesday was not a good day for public sector unions. Not only did the Wisconsin recall effort fail (handily, at that), but public pension cuts seem to be gaining a foothold - in California, of all places.

Initiatives to reform previously approved pension plans for city employees passed easily in San Jose and San Diego. The plans, called Measure B and Proposition B, seek to cut the rising cost of funding public-sector union pensions by either cutting benefits or readjusting them - even for current employees. This idea has caught the attention of a lot of cash-strapped cities.

Unions, however, don't want to hear it. San Jose unions have already sued to block voter-approved pension reform. San Diego unions are expected to follow suit shortly.

Do public pensions need to be scaled back?

[freaky6smurf]

Yes they do..

[marine1]

It's about time. Goverment empolyees should NOT belong to unions that support and vote for like minded legisltures. It is a prime example of legal extortion.

[SofaKingCool]

Unions are people. Corporations should NOT be able to spend an unlimited amount of money on campaigns. It becomes a legislature that is owned and beholden to their corporate donors. As opposed to the PEOPLE that are in a union.

[marine1]

Not talking about corporation,I'm saying that goverment union employees have an agenda to support and vote in favor of those who determine their sararies and retirement packages.

[ir0nw0lfe]

Unions and Corporations fall into the same boat when they support electoral candidates. Both exercise their financial muscle to influence their candidates to support their agenda.

[One_and_Only]

Public Sector Unions have Proven FDR right that Public Sector Unions were a bad Idea and FDR said that All Government employees should realize that the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service. FDR also said that militant tactics have no place in the functions of any organization of Government employees.

http://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/ws/index.php...

[FollowTheMoney]

Absolutely yes. Public employees, especially elected officials, should be equal to the lowest common denominator, In retirement as well as health benefits.

[Truthinesss]

Uh, yea. They need to fund their own pensions out of their own check like everyone else has to. And no, that doesn't mean you need a raise to do that either.

[UsefulNews]

Absolutely!!!!!!

[bobrob]

Absolutely. The unions complain that they are being unfairly targeted. They have gained the most and should give back. Under the threat of strikes, and even violence (amazing), cities yielded to union demands, even though there was no money in the till to pay. How do you give them what you don't have? I would rather have less pay than be laid off.
Of course, raising taxes is always an option so that the public unions can wangle another holiday.

[jtrapp49855]

Um, no. Private pensions need to be scaled UP.