Portsmouth School Committee Cuts Union Pensions
Despite very little information released by the school department, the School Committee ratified a contract Tuesday night with Council 94 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees.
Despite very little information released by the Portsmouth School Committee or Portsmouth School District, the school committee ratified a new contract with one of its main unions on Tuesday night.
The Providence Journal reports the school committee approved a new contract with Council 94, American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which cuts pension benefits in 2013.
It is unclear how much pension benefits will be cut.
The minutes for the meeting only state the school committee "Approved the substantive changes to the Council 94 contract." There was no mention of pension benefits or ratification in the minutes for the Tuesday, Sept. 25, meeting.
The entire minute meetings, as reported by the school department, can be read here.
What do you think about the cuts to pension benefits? Do you think the contract should have been approved with these changes? Tell us your thoughts in the comment section below.
Debbie
11:29 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
IF IT IS IN THE PAPER IT IS NOT BREAKING NEWS!!!!!!!!!! THIS DOES NOT REQUIREME A SEPERTATE NOTIFICATION TO MAKE YOU FEEL MORE IMPORTANT!
George Kassis
11:55 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Thank you PortsmouthPatch for keeping us informed. Not all of us get the Providence Journal
OldTownie
12:00 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Do you feel that yelling makes you more important?
Jane Wolk Wheeler
3:53 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Why the nasty response to the messenger! ?
Debbie
5:09 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
My point is not what the story is about but the fact that this is not Breaking News. This article could be added to the website without email notifications going out to alert us. The capitals were not intended to be seen as yelling, rather an error on my part for which I apologize for.
Seagirl
11:57 am on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Perhaps the contract is in unison with the economy at present. If there is no money to fund the pensions as they were written then of course it makes sense to re negotiate. The school committee and teachers union came to an agreed contract. Everyone is facing the same struggles and we have all taken hits to retirement accounts (my employer doesn't contribute to mine, nor have I had a raise in 4 years). We all have to work hard and do what we can to turn this economy around.
Bear401
12:04 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
The state & municipalities will pay eventually as more & more retirees qualify for assistance because of the continuous rise in the cost of Living combined with benefit cuts & elimination of COLA's etc. Plus in a consumer driven economy less disposable income means a week economy.
Stanley Farak
12:06 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Exactly who does Council 94 represent in this town? Don't need names just job titles/descriptions.
OldTownie
5:02 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Do a little research. It's not hard....council 94 represents non-certified employees, such as custodial staff, IT staff, aides, clerical, etc.
reed atamian
3:21 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
That is an awlful thing to do !
Stanley Farak
4:17 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
reed, I just don't know what entity is being represented in the patch article!!!!i
Town resident for many years
6:10 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
Stanley Farak, I believe the article is just saying that Mr. Harris told the Providence Journal more than he told the Portsmouth public. I read the Providence Journal link that the Portsmouth Patch gave us. I too do not receive the Journal. I think the tax payers of Portsmouth should be able to see the information about the Town's employees and contract negotiations before the Journal does. It is their tax money paying for it. A little research goes a long way...
OldTownie
10:58 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
If you want to hear it before it makes the paper, go to the meeting. It's that simple.
Your comment is a little out there. How do you propose then councils get the information to you? Want them to stop by your house and personally read you the minutes? Why do you think the minutes of every town meeting are posted in the paper? To inform the public!
Jon Harris
6:35 pm on Thursday, September 27, 2012
The contract changes were read at the school committee meeting on Tuesday September 25th. There was also a detailed article in the Newport Daily News yesterday.
Town resident for many years
3:08 pm on Tuesday, October 2, 2012
I would like the information posted on the Portsmouth Patch. For many of us that is were we go for local news and information.