They retirement bills have been taking us on quite a roller coaster ride in 2010. It started early when Jan Johnson, The UAGE Executive Director, argued against the changes to the retirement system in the two interim committee meetings. The Utah retirement System is solid and while it may need a few tweaks - it does not need a complete overhaul.
However, the rally help on February 6 (pictured above) clearly stated that public employees want the legislators to keep their hands out of there retirement. It has been 20 years in the making and all being undone which feels like at a stroke of a pen.
As our Retirement System hangs in the balance, a UAGE member/Public Safety Officer found a huge problem with one of the retirement bills being proposed this year. It is SB42 and deals with adding 5 more years of service to your career commitment before you could retire with full benefits. UAGE communicated the problem to Senator Dan Lillenquist, sponsor of the measure, to which he replied “Great Catch”. The formula used to identify how much longer you might have to work has now been changed.
Because of this UAGE member, and the power of a collective voice, UAGE was able to bring about a tremendous change even before the Legislative Session began.
We’re not done yet. There’s more work to do. Imagine what we can do with more power, more members and a huge Meet and Confer election win on February 17th.
UAGE Benefits:
We have a legal defense plan that protects you in all course and scope matters.
We have been in the county for many years… FIGHTING FOR YOUR RIGHTS.
We are nationally affiliated for the additional power, but all the decisions are made locally.
We are ran by you and your co-workers - UAGE is your Union
With UAGE-CWA as our Union – You are part of the process.
If you want to learn more about building your union, please call 801-483-1200 or email us at
The authorization cards for the Corrections and Protective Service Officers were certified by Human Resources and sent to the County Council and sheriff to set the election date and rules. It will be the first of the before we know.
After the Civilian Unit election, the County Council asked for a do over and called that election botched. The rules said that "none of the above" should have won because a majority of Civilian employees did not vote at all. Because of this, HR and the Steering Committee are reviewing the Ordinance and will be suggesting changes to make the rules clear.
In these uncertain times there are life events that occur where we could use the advise and/or services of a competent attorney yet we hesitate because we know what they cost per hour. UAGE sponsors a benefit for their members and family members at a discounted price to assist you....
On Thursday, November 12, 2009, the Office of the Legislative Auditor General, presented a Performance Audit of the “Cost of Benefits for Reemployed Retirees and Part-time Employees” to the Utah State Retirement and Independent Entities Committee. The Consultants and Actuaries of Gabriel Roeder Smith & Company presented their findings and recommendations of projections for overcoming the shortfalls incurred in 2008. UAGE Staff and members were present for this presentation.
The Salt Lake Tribune reported on this Audit in their November 12, 2009 issue of their newspaper. KSL News reported on this meeting as well and here is their link http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=8650995 . UAGE will now present to you the details of that Audit and the specific recommendations to the Utah Retirement System and the Committee as well as a summary of the report presented by Gabriel Roeder Smith & Company.
It must be understood there are two separate issues being discussed. The first issue is the cost of post retirement employment of retirees by a public entity and the second issue of how to recover the losses incurred by the loss of investments in 2008.
Furthermore the information being presented is not an indicator of what direction or recommendations the Committee will make to the Legislature. This is a discussion of the data that was presented to the Committee as they requested be done so that they could make their recommendations.
At a time when it is critical for public employees to be well educated on all the changes occurring on a legislative and agency level in Utah, UAGE rejoins its efforts with the Communications Workers of America.
A form of collective bargaining called Meet & Confer was formalized in Salt Lake County on June 23, 2009 through an Employee Relations Ordinance. Since then county employees have seen a variety of organizations attempting to gain their approval and vote.
The national financial crisis has caused pension systems and 401(K)s to lose money. The Utah Retirement System (URS) lost about $4 Billion last year, as already reported on this website. During the upcoming 2010 Legislative Session, URS may ask the legislature to increase Utah public employee contribution rates by 3 to 4 percent or up to $100 million. However, lawmakers will decide between various options that affect public employee retirement benefits.
Some of the adjustments that could be considered are listed and explained below. Although none of these proposals are final, all of us need to be educated on each of the alternatives in order to direct a good outcome.
