Massachusetts public workers protest bill that would cut retiree health benefits

The Republican ^

[matt04]

Hundreds of people, many of them union members, turned out at the State House on Thursday to oppose a bill that would save the state and municipalities a significant amount of money by cutting retiree health benefits for public employees.

Democratic Gov. Deval Patrick has proposed the bill as a way to address the approximately $46 billion unfunded liability for retiree health benefits faced by state and municipal governments. “Modifications to retiree health care coverage are essential to keep the system sustainable for future state and municipal career employees and to maintain core government services for future generations,” said Secretary of Administration and Finance Glen Shor.

However, public employees say the government is breaking a promise that was made when they were hired. Gail Gunn works in information services for UMass Amherst. She is 51 years old, blind and has worked for the state for 16 years. She planned to retire in five or six years, but will reconsider if the bill is passed, since the change would increase her monthly health insurance payments by $500 a month. “I’m not going to stand up and say it’s not fair. As a blind person, I’m used to life not being fair,” Gunn said. “It’s just wrong. I expect more from government.”

House Bill 59 is being considered by the Joint Committee on Public Service, which held Thursday’s public hearing.

[Chode]

You were all fat dumb and happy as long as your snout was in the PublicTrough up past your eyeballs,

but now…

Now… that the food level has dropped below Your eyes, even YOU can see the writing on the wall as well as the rest of us.

There WILL be reduced benefits to be sure, if not outright eliminations…

And guess what???

I, DON’T, CARE!!!

[TribalPrincess2U]

On FB there is post with Detroit Free Press with headline saying..
GOP bill aims to curb police, fire retirees’ health benefits.

Are they trying to pin this on the right?