There
is a time on our lives when we realize enough is
enough, and not wanting to get involved with the
responsibilities, after all we did out time and
now its time to enjoy our retirement. I fully understand
and applaud that decision, however there are those
still among us who are willing to participate just
a little more.
While
we are sitting at home enjoying the retired life
there are outside influences that are continuing
to attempt to erode those benefits you have worked
so hard to earn. All of us spent countless hours
going to work each day, sometimes not wanting to,
in the realization that we would have a county retirement
check and health benefits for the rest of our life.
When retirement day finally arrived, we though "Oh
Boy".
But
today that Oh Boy moment is being scrutinized ever
so closely to find ways to reduce the commitments
promised by the county. The County maintains that
current budget just does not allow for such extravagance.
This is very close to being a true statement when
you realize that we now have more people on retirement
that actively working and contributing to the retirement
fund.
Merced
County is currently being sued over pensions by
one of the unions. Tulare County, through their
continued efforts was rewarded by the 9th Circuit
Court of Appeals who ruled in their favor. This
allows them to continue their case to show that
the County's written statements and individual testimony
consistently told retirees about health benefits
they would have during retirement. This should be
a wake up call to alert us to the fact it could
happen here. Right now we do not have funds to fight
these battles.
REMCO
needs to stay abreast of these developments as they
present themselves in order to provide a quality
service to its members. Fortunately, as past secretary
to CRCEA, I have continuing access to the newsletters
of all twenty county associations. A valuable tool
to see what is happening to pensions and healthcare
elsewhere in the state. Members cannot remain apathetic
to the management of REMCO. Its officers and Board
of Directors should be held accountable for reporting
related current events as they happen here.
Thank you,
Leon
“Sandy” Teague, PhD
President |