HOT BUTTON: PENSION FOR SANITATION STAFF?

The Memphis City Council last week postponed action on a proposed deal that would set up a retirement fund for city Sanitation Department workers and generate about $4.7 million in annual savings by cutting 80 positions in the department and asking the remaining workers to make more stops on their routes. Here are excerpts from readers’ comments on an Aug. 19 article at commercialappeal. com reporting the details of the proposed agreement between the city and AFSCME, the union that represents the Sanitation Department workers.

GOTIGERS75 WROTE:

This is an outrage and a slap in the face to those city workers that legitimately paid into a pension fund throughout their careers. It smacks of discrimination and I hope other city employees will file suit against the city if this goes through. The sanitation workers made a deal and they need to live with it. If the union cares that much let them pay a pension. This should not fall on the shoulders of the citizens. ...

AMAZEDAGAIN WROTE:

Rest assured, this is a done deal. The vote is only a formality. Every employee since 1968 hired on knowing what the retirement benefit was going to be. Now, 45 years later, they want a do-over? Totally preposterous and fiscally irresponsible.

BLONDEOBSERVER WROTE:

... Sorry, sanitation workers, there are a lot of people who find it difficult to retire on their Social Security. This double-dipping is just plain wrong. ...

MODERATORONDUTY WROTE:

... It wasn’t too long ago we were discussing how city sanitation workers were working four hours a day and getting paid for eight. Seems to me they have already been paid more than they deserved. It is appalling but not surprising that their union is wanting more.

JSMOOTH_ 2001 WROTE:

... In the richest country in the world no city should have to worry about going bankrupt just because (it) took care of its publicsector employees. This is the country who bailed out greedy bankers for handing out junk loans by giving the banks $700 billion. If this country can write a check for bailing out law-breaking bankers, then surely we can take care of public-sector workers who have broken no laws.

INTHEGROVE72#700117 WROTE:

... At the very least, the men that are at the retirement age of 65 should be given the pension. I can’t help but see my own grandfather when I see this gentleman at the age of 69 out there collecting garbage in the Memphis August heat. ... Let’s show a little compassion and understanding for the older gentlemen that have no business working at all, much less being exposed to the elements, collecting trash.