SEIU 888 Makes a Forceful presence at Pension Hearing

On behalf of SEIU 888, union member Sheila Dubrowski recently testified in support of legislation that would abolish group 1 of the retirement classification system, and transfer all group 1 workers into group 2. The hearing before the Joint Committee on Public Service was well attended by many public employees and representatives of several public employee unions.

Citing discrimination and inequity, Dubrowski who works at the State Lottery Commission pointed out that over the long run group one employees often end up paying more than the actuarial value of their pension, thus funding the system well beyond what they are entitled too, and receiving a reduced benefit in return. Often, without the added protection of social security. According to Dubrowski “such members, the vast majority of whom are women, pay in the most for the longest period of time often entirely financing their own retirement with the state not contributing any additional funding.”

SEIU 888 Political Director Jim Redmond spoke of the overall need for pension reform and highlighted the inequities that exist with in the current system using the electrician job title as an example. According to Redmond “if you are a publicly employed electrician in Massachusetts you could be a member of group 1, group 2 or group 4 depending on who your employer is. For example if you’re employed by a housing authority your in group 1, if you’re employed by a city or town you’re in group 2, but if you work for Massport you’re in group 4. That inequity represents a disparity of 10 years on when an employee could retire with their maximum benefit.”

SEIU 888 President Susana Segat remarked that “it’s clear that the system has been broken for some time and needs to be fixed in order to bring equity for our hard working members in group 1.”

The Public Service Committee will evaluate the legislation before make a recommendation on how or if it should proceed. You can help support the bill by sending your state representative and state senator an email. For more information contact Jim Redmond at (617) 241-3343 or email jredmond@seiu888.org