Brothers and Sisters,
Localities and politicians have begun their attacks on our benefits, not even waiting for Election Day results. Arrogance has led them to believe they will win on Tuesday, and has emboldened them to attempt cuts on what they perceive are excessive benefits paid to public employees.
We have just learned that a member of the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors has drafted a bill that would eliminate the current requirement that the locality pays a portion of your VRS retirement. Instead you, the employee, would pay this portion. Effectively, this would cause a 5% pay cut for every public employee in the VRS. Currently, efforts are underway to reduce the COLA to VRS retirees, raise the employee contribution by 2%, and change the retirement age from 50 to 60.
For the past three years, the city of Virginia Beach, through state legislation, has attempted to change the rules as it relates to disability retirement and normal service retirement. Their goal is to mandate that employees remain employed in any position the city feels appropriate, and to eliminate your ability to separate from service before regular retirement. Virginia Beach would also like to mandate that all new employees would be subject to a defined contribution retirement plan, which would reduce the funding for existing defined benefit plans and threaten the solvency of this fund. Virginia Beach is also working hard to shift the city’s 5% contribution back to you, the employee.
If these two jurisdictions are successful in obtaining permission from the state legislature to change the rules governing pensions, you, the beneficiaries in the VRS and all other private systems will be under attack.
We have been able to kill several bills that would have reduced workers comp benefits. We have had to fight to keep our funding for Aid to Localities and 4 for Life funds that enable our jurisdictions to provide necessary equipment and training for our members.
We were able to win these battles to protect your personal safety and your loved ones’ financial security because, for the past eight years, we have had a friend in the Governor’s mansion, along with senators and delegates in the General Assembly who support our cause. While we will always do our best to protect our members, it is your efforts in electing candidates who not only say they are pro public safety, but demonstrate their commitment with their votes...in other words, legislators who walk the talk!
Your benefits, retirement, and even our jobs are in peril. Make sure you vote on Tuesday, November 3 for candidates who are friendly to public safety. Please do not tie our hands and let people take office who do not understand, and in some cases even have a disdain for, union fire fighters and paramedics. The VPFF and your local are willing, competent and prepared to fight for you in Richmond. We know who our friends are, and, with your help, we will be ready to go to battle for you again after November 3.
Fraternally,
Mike
R. Michael Mohler
President, Virginia Professional Fire Fighters
