Cuomo Urges Broad Limits to N.Y. Public Pensions
By DANNY HAKIM and THOMAS KAPLAN
NY TIMES
Published: June 8, 2011
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, joining a parade of officials from across the country who are seeking to rein in spending by limiting public employees’ pensions, proposed Wednesday to broadly limit retirement benefits for new city and state workers in New York.
Mr. Cuomo said New York State and New York City simply could no longer afford to offer new employees the generous benefits their predecessors received.
Among the most significant changes the governor proposes is to raise the minimum retirement age to 65 from 62 for state workers, and to 65 from 57 for teachers.
“The numbers speak for themselves — the pension system as we know it is unsustainable,” the governor said in a statement. “This bill institutes common-sense reforms to bring government benefits more in line with the private sector while still serving our employees and protecting our retirees.”
Mr. Cuomo’s proposal escalates a battle between the first-term Democrat and a major Democratic Party constituency: public-sector labor unions.
Read more…
Bradley Gets Three Years Probation
Wis. defeat could help launch counterattack on GOP
By SCOTT BAUER, Associated Press
MADISON, Wis. – With the labor movement suffering an epic defeat in Wisconsin, union leaders plan to use the setback to fire up their members nationwide and mount a major counterattack against Republicans at the ballot box in 2012.
Wisconsin’s measure stripping public employees of most bargaining rights swiftly advanced to GOP Gov. Scott Walker on Thursday, and he promised to sign it as soon as possible. But labor leaders say the events in Wisconsin have helped galvanize support for unions across the country. They hope to use the momentum to help fight off other attacks and grow their membership.
Said the president of the AFL-CIO: “I guess I ought to say thank you particularly to Scott Walker. We should have invited him here today to receive the Mobilizer of the Year award from us!”
As several states seek to follow Wisconsin’s lead, newly invigorated public unions are looking ahead to the next election. Democrats are pressing to recall Republican opponents of organized labor and turn the debate into a focal point of next year’s campaign.
The Wisconsin Assembly voted 53-42 Thursday to pass the bill after about three hours of discussion, far less than the 61-hour, three-day marathon it took to approve a previous version two weeks ago.
Bradley Calls It Quits
Rest in Peace
This past year RUFF lost some great men. We should all take a moment and count our blessings and say a prayer for our fallen brothers
.
LAST ALARM
William Bambace
John Browne
Don Ward
Lawrence Joyce
Richard Buscher
Eugene Preiser
John Farren
James Quinn
This report was submitted by Kenny Kauffman
Jimmy Quinn
Please be advised that Jimmy Quinn passed away Jan 2nd. I just got off the phone with his wife Rose. She has told me that he had a pleasant and peaceful Christmas and that nothing needs to be done by RUFF. She said he will be cremated and will spread 1/2 his ashes in the ocean in Florida and the other 1/2 at the Veterans Hospital. I asked about flowers and funeral arrangements and she said to keep our money to help fight the City. She only asked if she could still receive the newsletters when they go out and of course she will.
Also the Newsletter is done but I’m having computer problems it should be mailed within a day or so. Also the Dues this year has been set at the Regular rate of $50.00
Ken Kauffman
Remember our service people overseas during the holidays
Please think of our service people serving in foreign lands during Christmas; I was in a foreign country and at war during the most precious holidays and appreciated whatever support we got.
Please keep them in your prayers.
Happy holidays,
Duncan
Adam Bradley Found GUILTY
Mayor Adam Bradley was found guilty today of abusing his wife, convicted of attempted assault, criminal contempt and harassment in his domestic violence trial by Acting state Supreme Court Justice Susan Capeci.
RUFF/PFFA Proposed Meeting
WHITE PLAINS RETIRED UNIFORMED FIRE FIGHTERS ASSOCIATION
c/o Duncan MacRae
51 White Plains Avenue
West Harrison, NY 10604
(914) 831-3575
December 5, 2010
Joseph Carrier, President
White Plains Professional Fire Fighters Association
IAFF AFL-CIO, CLC
Fire Station 7
Ridgeway and North Street
White Plains, NY 10605
Dear Joe:
Our membership has expressed interest in having a follow up meeting with you and your selected representatives in order to further explore our positions on the health care contributions.
If you are agreeable to this meeting, we would like to meet within the next two weeks.
December 8th and 9th are good dates for us. If this is not good for you or your reps please give us some dates that are good for you so that we can move forward on these very important issues.
Members of the R.U.F.F. Board would like to talk with you and the representatives of your Board to discuss any outstanding issues the two groups have.
In solidarity,
Duncan MacRae
President
White Plains Retired Uniformed Fire Fighters Association
Special Meeting
Special Meeting on November 30th
November 29, 2010
by Duncan MacRae
There will be a meeting of RUFF tomorrow, November 30, 2010 at 7:15 PM. (Note change in time).
We had hoped to meet and open a discussion with Don Henry and Joe Carrier.
Don will be traveling and Joe Carrier’s father passed away so of course he will not be able to attend.
Again, the meeting will be held on Tuesday November 30, 2010 at 7:15 pm at the American Legion in Valhalla
27 Legion Drive
Valhalla, NY 10595
The agenda is open at this time (except for nominations). We will be expecting you to bring up issues confronting us including hospitalization benefits.
As stated in our letter to you there will be nominations for Vice President and Trustee “B” – Please make every effort to attend.
Due to our attempts to save money for the litigation there will no food or beverages.
