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To the editor:
The NYC labor movement has a long history of caving to mayoral demands, with devastating givebacks. The lucrative Tier 1 pension transitioned into the diminished Tier 6 pension currently available.
In March, Mayor Eric Adams signed a contract with Aetna that will transition municipal retirees into a subpar health plan that only benefits CEOs, shareholders and Wall Street investors.
Adams as a uniformed retiree getting a $100,000+ pension will have no difficulty opting out of the Aetna plan. Sadly, 95 percent of retirees don't enjoy the lucrative police and fire pensions. The Professional Staff Congress and the NYC Retirees Organization are the only forceful voices fighting for health-care protections.
Labor loses when the Municipal Labor Committee surrenders to a mayor while not involving all the affected stakeholders. The growing loss of political action funds and referendums challenging union complacency has already begun. The era of paying some union presidents three to five times what their members average wage may need changing.
Joseph Campbell
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Nothing ever stays the same but I agree giving up on the basic principles of what you joined a UNION for is the pension protection, medical and some security of safety in various aspects. I believe no one in the new Generation is paying attention to pensions as much as the past employees. They more focused on $$ and they many young who feel strong are sacrificing medical as long as the pay is good. Many aren’t caring families or remember or know the struggle to gain those benefits. They are even craving for strikes like some game. When management ( govt) supports the right to strike something is wrong. The CEO’S / GOVT are preparing for future strikes. They already have a hidden plan that involves automation and the new work force underestimates this serious threat in the future. New Generation only thinks of now maybe a few years down the line. While the employers are looking long term. Sacrifice some now and take a hit gain control in the long term before they wake up.
Friday, April 7, 2023 Report this