Brothers and Sisters

2/28/11

Brothers and Sisters,

I hope this letter finds everyone in good health and spirits. Theresa and I are busy preparing to say good bye to our daughter Savannah for two years. She has been accepted into the Peace Corps. and will be traveling overseas to work with children and teachers. Like all of you we stay very busy most days keeping our lives in order and always looking towards the future. The future is what we all should be concerned about and help to create.

I want to thank all of the members that took time to attend the two general meetings that were held at the beginning of February. Many discussions were held and decisions were made. Also I would like to thank the six individuals that responded to the recent request for input about which Rank and File contract articles to open this year. Over the last year I have heard many thoughts and concerns as to what the future of our contracts hold, so it was very surprising to see that the vast majority of our membership did not respond to this inquiry. At this point a minority has chosen the articles to open and negotiate. They are as follows: Article 26 – Pension; Article 27 – Wages; Article 39 – Safety; Article 42 – Educational Bank. Presently, we are in the process of making some final adjustments so they can go to the table. Also, Articles 27 and 39 will be sent to industry experts for review as well. The overall goal for our articles will be to create contract documents that can be set for 2-3 years vs. every year.

By now all of you have read or seen stories about the collective bargaining and retirement fights going on around our Nation and Florida is no different. As we participated in the FPF’s lobbying in Tallahassee this past year we were informed by party leaders that the fights we witnessed would be back this year in force; they were right. That, coupled with a governor that has vowed to strip public service workers of their present and future benefits, has created a bad day for all of us.

Bryan and I recently traveled to Gainesville to participate in a seminar hosted by Gainesville Local 2157. Representatives from the FPF were on hand to give us an update as to the status of the Bills being “negotiated” in Tallahassee. The Bills that are taking center stage are:

SB 1128, Summary as follows:

GENERAL BILL by Ring

Public Retirement Plans: Provides that a local governmental entity may not offer a defined benefit retirement plan to a plan member hired on or after a certain date. Provides that local plans must use at least 5 years to determine a plan member’s average final compensation for calculating retirement benefits for members hired on or after a certain date. Directs the Department of Financial Services to rate the financial strength of local government defined benefit plans. Creates the Task Force on Public Employee Disability Presumptions, etc.

Effective Date: 07/01/2011

SB 1130, Summary as follows:

GENERAL BILL by Ring

Retirement: Requires employee and employer contributions to the retirement system by a certain date. Clarifies that employer-paid employee contributions are subject to certain taxes. Amends provisions relating to the membership class of elected officers. Amends provisions relating to the optional retirement program for the State University System. Changes the name of the Public Employee Optional Retirement Program to the Florida Retirement System Investment Plan, etc.

Effective Date: 06/30/2011 except as otherwise provided

HB 303, Summary as follows. Note: This bill was withdrawn, but probably will resurface soon.

GENERAL BILL by Costello

Public Retirement Plans: Limits benefits available under public retirement systems or plans; revises definitions relating to compensation; limits factoring of overtime, unused leave, & other such compensation into pension benefit; reduces service credit prospectively; revises applicability of ch. 175, F.S., to firefighters who are eligible for FRS; revises applicability of ch. 185, F.S., to police officers who are eligible for FRS; provides membership requirements for special fire control district & municipality board of trustees; revises powers & duties of boards of trustees, special fire control districts, & municipalities; revises provisions relating to firefighter & police officer benefits; repeals provisions relating to presumption with respect to diseases of firefighters suffered in line of duty; repeals provisions relating to transfer to another state retirement system & payment of benefits; repeals provisions relating to presumption with respect to police officer disability in line of duty; provides declaration of important state interest.

Effective Date: upon becoming a law

Last Event: Withdrawn prior to introduction on Thursday, January 27, 2011 4:28 PM

Up to this point the FPF along with other interest groups have kept the potential damage to a minimal, but what the legislative session will bring is anyone’s guess. One thing I’m sure of, changes to our present benefits are coming and we need to be involved in the fight against.

Please see the list of websites to visit at the end of this message to read and learn more.

By now you have read quite a bit, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. I will close this letter with a few personal thoughts. On any give day there are many projects that are needing to be accomplished but not enough hours to complete. Anytime there is a limited number involved, we do not get done what we needs to be done, so we have to prioritize. Our Union needs to rise to the occasion, look to the future, be a voice and not settle for mediocrity. I truly believe in our membership and our Department, but what we need is for all to believe that there is a great future ahead and join in to help create. Then and only then we will realize what we seek. Please take charge of your own future and get involved.

Be Safe, Dwight

Please visit the following site for more information: http://www.flpsc.net

Also calling our leaders to voice your opposition to these attacks should also be done.

Click on Charles Van Zant http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/sections/representatives/representatives.aspx

Click on Tony Hill, Evelyn and Steve Oelrich
http://www.flsenate.gov/Senators/