One of these changes is an adjustment of the life expectancy, and that's no rumor. Most courthouse employees have already been told about this, leading to the rumor that 90 workers have applied for early retirement.
Another proposal under review is a change in the accrual rate from its current calculation of 1/50 to 1/60. If this applies to existing pensions, it appears to me that it will have a detrimental impact. That decision must come from the Retirement Board.
Here's how it works.
Pension liability = Accrual rate × Final salary × Years of service
So, for a person whose salary is $70,000 and who has 30 years of service, the difference between a 1//50 and 1/60 accrual rate is $7,000 per year.
1 ÷ 60 × $70,000 × 30 = $35,000
1 ÷ 50 × $70,000 × 30 = $42,000
Is this rumor true? I tried checking it out on Friday with one of the County's fiscal experts, and was told all questions must be directed to Director of Administration Luis Campos. So I'm asking him
1) Does the Executive plan 800 lay-offs, or any lay-offs at all?
2) Have 90 workers put in for retirement this year?
3) What can you share about union negotiations?
4) Won't a change in the accrual rate have a detrimental impact on pensions?
Years ago there was a basketball player who played for the Allentown Jets at the end of his career. His name was "bad news Barnes." His name came to mind as I thought of "bad news Brown." Didn`t this guy Brown sit there for a year attending meetings taking notes ? Or maybe drawing pictures? Is there any good news coming from this administration ?GUrgle Gurgle in over his head.
ReplyDeleteI seriously hope you get the answers you seek up until now there has not been one ounce of transparency,employees weren't informed of any changes no one received a memo.good luck!
ReplyDelete"How much of this is true? Probably none of it,..."
ReplyDeleteAnd yet, the rumor mill is working OVERTIME.
The essence of the government workplace.
-Clem
Where there is smoke there is fire. All these things Bernie mentions in his blog are the things we as employees and retirees live with every day. All we ask for is openness with us so we can plan our lives accordingly. Is there a pension plan in the making that will change our lives drastically. Is their more costs being shifted to us as employees which means less money to pay the bills. Just keep us informed. That isn't too much to ask for.
ReplyDeleteBad News Brown and his minions, particularly Cathy Allen are trying to cozy up to front line employees by listening to their complaints about how badly their departments are being run. They will then stab those employees in the back with Draconian cuts and reductions in benefits. This is a sleazy administration that uses fear and intimidation rather than open communication.
ReplyDeleteClem, When you work without a contract and make less money now than you did 4 years ago, thanks to Sal Panto's commuter tax and increases in contributions to health care, it is only natural that you will wonder what is going on. I don't think it's a function of being a public employee. Rumors like this are prevalent with any large employer. Put away your generalized hate for once and try to look at this objectively.
ReplyDeleteit's high time we had raises,everything goes up and we don't even get cost of living raises so the rising cost of healthcare can at the very least be covered,one employee gets a 20,000 dollar a year raise ? who do you know in the county that ever got a raise like that ? cathy allen tells everyone they are here for the employee's when are you we going to see it ?
ReplyDeleteFriendly tip: If you want to be taken seriously, the next time you think about writing a blog post that could include "How much of this is true? Probably none of it." Just don't write it, and wait until you've actually confirmed some news.
ReplyDeleteYour "friendly" tip is noted. The news is just what I state in my headline. Despite a $67,500 publicly funded PR consultant, town halls and brown bag lunches, the rumors abound. Moreover, some of the sources who could be counted on to confirm or dispel these rumors, have been instructed not to speak to anyone. This is precisely how rumors grow.
ReplyDeleteA guess..
ReplyDelete1) Does the Executive plan 800 lay-offs, or any lay-offs at all?
That number is absurd unless it involves something like privatizing food service, laundry, and housekeeping at Gracedale which should be done anyway. Otherwise you should wait for the budget process to play out.
2) Have 90 workers put in for retirement this year?
Wouldn't be an unreasonable number. It's less than 5% of the workforce and Norco has many eligible.
3) What can you share about union negotiations?
They are on going and negotiations continue in good faith..
4) Won't a change in the accrual rate have a detrimental impact on pensions?
Anyone already retired would not be affected. Any changes can only be made for new hires or going forward. The pension contribution continues to grow and Harrisburg has it's head in the sand on this issue so something needs to be done locally.
Hardly a "guess." Probably a post by Allen or even Plyler.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIf you want to make a vicious personal attack like that against someone who has nothjing to do with this story, you are going to have to tell us who you are and take responsibility instead of being an anonymous coward.
ReplyDeleteThere are open records laws in PA. Have The Morning Call Investigate this!
ReplyDeletesadly we have to read this blog to be informed on all matters concerning Norco employees,food for thought , did you know there are employees who receive food stamps ? what does that tell you about the wages ?
ReplyDeleteNot sure about wages relative to expectations, but it says that Panto is no more than a common Easton street thug for taxing these people.
ReplyDeleteBrown is out of control. He is in over his head. First of all, I would love to see someone give him a basic examination of what services the County is legally responsible to provide. Then, once he scores an 80 or better, he can then proceed with his austerity. The problem is that the County is cut to the bone with its workforce. Things that always got done, are now not getting done. Who suffers... the taxpayer that Brown purports to represent. When these people come to the counter and have to wait for long periods or time or faced with answers of I don't know or you have to go to the second floor, this is all because of Brown. Morale is low and it is taken out on the taxpayers indirectly. The constant cutting and threats of layoffs is rediculous. Look at the budget, start cutting fat like open space, farmland preservation, idiotic tratement schemes, etc..The paradigm should be how do we make it better with reasonable investment instead of lets shut it down. IMHO
ReplyDeleteOh.. with my last post, not only a basic examination but also an exam on how each Department basically functions.
ReplyDeleteMr.Brown, I'm not the brightest lamp on the pole, but I got all day to figure stuff out. I want your administration to succeed, I vote always and I live here in this county. You need SOMEBODY to bounce things off of apparently.Your PR thing is unproductive at this point. I hang with other old guys that are smart and been down the tracks.We talk politics among other issues like national defense or how cops don't know Infantry tactics and are at risk. I'we' will help you if asked.
ReplyDeleteAnon 3;07 Mr.Panto is not a street thug.He is a calculating politician,unlike what I would be if a dictator. The county seat is here in Easton . Employees are receiving fire and EMS emergency protection and always have been .This county occupies land that pays no freight to Easton ,like Lafayette College that employes also. Time to pay the freight bill. You Anon 3;07 waist half the difference personally on not commuting or eating your lunch and your like me -overweight too.!-DON[t YOU? But-collectively in mass over time this means the budget maker to Easton. The College sits on 1B usd and they pay almost NOTHING for over 20% of the land mass in relationship . Now we get some . If I were mayor I would be all over them for fee's . County same thing - you can't roll the bus for free. -debate me, make my day.OLD PETER
ReplyDeleteIf the US post office recognizes your address as EASTON but you live in Palmer, Forks, Wilson, Williams....you shouldn't have to pay the commuter tax
ReplyDeleteAnon 6;23 -NOT TRUE, the U.S Post Office is not a clearing authenticating body. If You live in 18045 and work at the prison for example you pay commuter tax. Let's say the prison is hijacked and the Easton Police come and the EMS come down to save your neck. OR-You work at domestic relations behind the screen in the air conditioning and all- and a madman that hates you all- shows up. So he throws a common road flare into the building and runs off -WHO handles this issue?Building maintenance?
ReplyDeleteso were paying for the fireman and police? I don't agree with it. if memory serves me correctly panto said he would not have done it,but stoffa didn't fight it! it's robbery...
ReplyDeleteThe above comment is a flat-out lie. Panto said he had no choice bc of the pension problem. Neither John Stoffa nor Council was thrilled at the idea, especially John Cusick. Panto never visited Council to explain what he was doing. This regressive tax has hurt many low income county employees.
ReplyDeleteStoffa communicated his displeasure about the commuter tax to county employees on several occasions. It is regressive taxes, uneducated politicians/administrators, and non-transparency that is ruining local governments all across our nation.
ReplyDeleteTime for people to get educated and invest in learning local government and issues so they can be informed voters and advocates.
"Friendly tip: If you want to be taken seriously, the next time you think about writing a blog post that could include "How much of this is true? Probably none of it." Just don't write it, and wait until you've actually confirmed some news."
ReplyDeleteIf you don't like Bernie's reporting, take your subscription $$$ to another news outlet for their services.
Or here's an idea - the next time you have nothing useful to say, keep it to yourself. Just a friendly tip.
Brown held a meeting today with all Norco union reps under the guise of discussing his 2015 healthcare plan. I was there and I can tell you the underlying theme was disturbing to say the least. It is clear that Brown's plan is to lay Norco's fiscal mismanagement on the backs of his dedicated employees, union or not. But he feels our pain! Wanna talk Bernie?
ReplyDelete