Three years ago, Northampton County Exec John Stoffa suggested that the County stop paying post-employment health care benefits for new hires. His proposal would have no impact on people currently employed by the County, but Council members balked at the idea.That was then. Last night, Council member John Cusick introduced a resolution that finally gives Stoffa what he asked for three years ago. "I believe it was a wise idea back then and I believe we should continue to pursue it," said Cusick.
Because there is some confusion over whether it's Council or the Retirement Board that has this authority, Cusick amended his resolution to make it a recommendation to that body, which will take it up early this morning.
Only Lamont McClure opposed Cusick's motion. His argument is that "talented people give up a certain ability to earn more money in the private sector to work in the public sector because of benefits such as post-retirement medical benefits." But Council member Bruce Gilbert noted this is really "a matter of mathematics. It really comes down to our ability to support such a cause." He added that continuing this benefit will impose a burden on taxpayers.
By the time you've read this, the Retirement Board will likely have voted to stop post-retirement health benefits for new hires.
The time has come. It will not impact current employees. It should have been done long ago!
ReplyDeleteShould be retroactive.
ReplyDeleteGood move, one vaeat however, if they serve over ten years pre retirment they should be permitted to purchase their insurance through the same pool, thereby lower cost for tem selves and for the insurance pool, by increasing the pool size, that is a win win for county and retirees.
ReplyDeleteLooks like County employees are soon to be as miserable have as lousy benefits as corporate employees. All men are created equal in this country.
ReplyDeleteStill need to roll back the currents. If it is wrong going forward, it is always wrong.
ReplyDeleteNow, for the schools, the State, and the Feds.
doesn't john stoffa recieve these benifits?
ReplyDeleteNot until he's retired. If your point is that he can't do this bc he gets the benefits as a current employee, then no county exec ever would be able to make any change.
ReplyDeletebout time
ReplyDeletei think that it's easy to take something away when it hasn't any negative effect on you. with the way everything is today it seems people are having more and more taken away from them while everything around them is going up. when will someone stand up for the working class.weather your the county executive or anyone else we all are in the end just people with all the same needs.sometimes change is good i guess what bothers me is the change happens after john stoffa himself recieves it for himself upon retiring i don't be grudge him that he earned it.it's just a shame thats all.
ReplyDeleteHa Ha
ReplyDeleteYou can't even answer a simple question about consistency.
No wonder you were disbarred.
Have a nice weekend. Try to avoid sweeping condemnations.
:)
Has someone suggested we eliminate lifetime medical for State wide elected officials, judges, DJs, etc?
ReplyDeleteStoffa and his wife both get sweet lifetime benefits in healthcare and now they say screw everyone else.
ReplyDeleteThis has always been the Stoffa creed. Do as I say not as i do. One of the best con men around!
Has anyone asked Cusik and Ferraro if they will condemn and turn down their taxpayer paid school teacher benefits for life?
ReplyDeleteMore hypocrites!
Cutting in advance and undercutting future workers is an effective collective bargaining strategy for management. You make the current crop of workers comfortable with cutting future workers' benefits by being thankful for their own. It's contract busting 101. Not bad for a career public sector guy. It's a testament to self-preservation and the power of greed that those making these decisions are already guaranteed their lucrative pensions - some a couple of times over. They've looted the coffers and are nailing the doors shut behind them. No honor among career public trough sloppers.
ReplyDeletePutting the so called recession issue to the side. County jobs do not pay that well when compared to similiar jobs in the private sector. I am speaking of skilled jobs, those requiring certifications and post high school degrees. Now... as someone who interacts with the County services on a nearly daily basis, the level of service has dropped drastically over the past 20 years! The morale is at an all time low and all Council and the Exec. want to do is cut, cut, cut. But, on the other hand, the Council and Exec continually invest and dream up new programs and buildings that are not needed. All this is done on the backs of the County workers. Anyway, Council and the Exec. ought to be careful for what they wish for, they may just get it.
ReplyDeleteSo called recession?
ReplyDeleteAre you living in la la land? What's really happening is that the public sector is taking more and more, and it's on the backs of people in the private sector, who can no longer afford benefits like that.
Well said, Bernie. WELL SAID!
ReplyDeletePrivate sector employees are working into their 70s to pay for public sector workers who retire on time or early with fat pensions. As bosses of public sector workers, private sector workers have every right to cut salaries and positions. History has shown that giving them more money doesn't improve either morale or quality of services. In fact, the opposite seems to be true.
ReplyDeleteWhy couldn't the County wait until the national health plan was adopted or defeated. Now, are the unions going to give up their bennies?
ReplyDeleteStoffa could set an example. He's a double (triple?) dipper at the trough.
ReplyDeleteHe doesn't have to, but he should.
A few years ago Ohare was attacking the past Administration for doing less than the current Administration is doing. When Ohare loves a guy he loves their policies even if he attacked the same policies with a guy he hated.
ReplyDeleteOne word for Oahre, Stoffa, Cusisk and Ferraro-Hypocrite!
When I accepted a County Position many years ago, I did so knowing that the salary will never match that of a private sector position. It was my choice. The choice I made was due to a quality pension and benefits. I'm a little tired of hearing how the public sector should walk in the shoes of the private sector. We all made our choices. Did you attempt to get into the public sector? Or did the salary they were offering not comparable to the private, so you chose the $$$. Not a wrong choice, but a choice you made for your own reasons. My point? Stoffa is taking away piece by piece the only reasons to really work for in the public sector. Can't wait to hear what he has in mind for the pension...
ReplyDeleteI also find that many private sector employees bashing public sector employees would never qualify for the positions they bash!! Also, I am sick and tired of hearing how these private sector people work so hard. Lets see, go the mall on any given day or Home Depot, or Lowe's and try to get help? You find the help socializing and bothered when you ask them. Oh... how bout the professional private sector people that use court house services and after being in serviced on process and procedures, STILL can't follow simple instruction!
ReplyDeleteLet me get this straight. because someone was rude to you at Lowe's, the public sector is justified in being rude to people who use courthouse services and must pay post-retirement health benefits for life to new hires? Alrighty.
ReplyDeleteGee, will Stoffa, Cusik, Fearraro and Stoffa's wife give up all their lifetime perks.
ReplyDeleteDo as I say not as i do. I see the Stoffa mantra is catching on. Hypocrites!
It has to start somewhere. Under your thinking, it would be impossible to ever make any changes at all.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, leave Stoffa's wife out of this. She's not an elected official and does not deserve your cheap shots.
John Stoffa will take his medical coverage no doubt.County council will most likely spend more taxpayer money on attorneys to try and figure this out.As for comparing county workers to the private sector,The county does not proudce a product while the private sector does being beholden to its stock holders and paying the dividends.HEY COUNCIL WHAT ABOUT THE 44 MILLION IN TAX PAYER MONEY YOU SIT ON AND CRY YOUR BROKE ALL THE TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteJohn Stoffa the DEMOPUBLICAN STRIKES AGAIN.
ReplyDelete