After more than six months rife with rumors that there would be a huge exodus of city workers by Dec. 31 because of budget-driven dramatic changes in healthcare coverage, that does not appear to be remotely accurate.
An official count won’t be available until next month, but the departure list is expected to be modest.
The best known name on the list is City Councilman Scott Malsin. He has not spoken publicly about his intentions, but it is widely anticipated he will announce a temporary resignation on Dec.12 before filing shortly thereafter to run for re-election on April 10.
With the last labor contracts of the six city unions to be approved by the City Council on Monday night, each of the more than 600 employees knows where he stands by now regarding healthcare benefits.
Councilman Andy Weissman says, flatly, no, he does not anticipate a rush to the gates next month. On Dec. 31, with certain exceptions, comprehensive family benefits will be scaled back to single coverage for employees with fewer than 20 years logged.
One man who should know about the roster is Chief Financial Officer Jeff Muir. “Not a lot (are leaving) I have heard of,” he said this afternoon.
For many of the affected workers, said Mr. Weissman, not all who would like to leave now can afford to do so.
The Councilman talked about the changes in benefits plans. “In broad terms, there is an across-the-board grandfathering of existing retiree medical benefits for all with 20 or more years of Pers (Public Employee Retirement System) service,” he said. “This also applies to workers who will reach 25 years of service in the next 10 years.
“The people between the gaps — five years and 19 years — is not a particularly large group. I believe — but I am not certain — that most people fall at the extremes. They haven’t reached five years, when vesting begins, or they are ‘way up there in years.
“People who are vested but have less than 20 years of Pers service, have to make a decision, a personal one. Some may not be in position to retire and save their medical benefits because they can’t afford to. It remains to be seen what the exit strategy of these people will be between now and the end of the year.”
Closing Day is four weeks from Saturday.
