Adachi's petition push for pension overhaul {San Francisco City Employees}

San Francisco Chronicle ^ | 7/5/10 | Phillip Matier and Andrew Ross

[SmithL]

San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi plans to submit signatures Tuesday for his City Charter amendment to kick over the biggest political hornet's nest in the city - public workers' contributions to their pension and health plans.

Signature gatherers spent the weekend hoping to add a 15,000-signature cushion to the 55,000 they have collected so far. They need 46,000 valid signatures to make the November ballot.

The public defender himself showed up with petitions at a Chinese Chamber of Commerce event Friday, going from table to table looking for signers.

Adachi's plan would make all city workers contribute 9 to 10 percent of their pay to their pensions. Right now, half pay nothing. It would also have city workers pay 50 percent of their dependents' health care coverage, up from the current 25 percent.

The move has made the public defender a pariah with the city's labor establishment, in part because unlike other "reform measures," Adachi didn't seek either the unions' or City Hall's input before taking it to the streets.

Adachi has, however, gotten the backing of former mayoral candidate Matt Gonzalez, who is offering to debate union leaders. It's an interesting tag team - two leaders on the left, taking on the left's biggest bankrollers.

But then, Adachi and Gonzalez have their own resources - a $150,000 contribution from Bay Area venture capitalist Michael Moritz.

Some see it as the first move in a possible Adachi run for mayor in 2011.

"Are you kidding?" Adachi said. "This is the last move someone would make if they wanted to run for mayor."