Firefighters Protest Pension Lawsuit

By Charles Edwards

Atlanta, GA – The Atlanta branch of the International Association of Firefighters Tuesday protested outside the Fulton County Taxpayers Foundation's lunch meeting with Mayor Kasim Reed. The firefighters union wants the Foundation to drop its lawsuit over past changes to pension plans for fire, police and other city workers. The protest comes as Reed tries to tackle Atlanta's rising pension costs.

In 2001 and 2005, Atlanta changed the multiplier for pensions for its public safety officials. In essence, the city decided to contribute more money to retirement funds for those employees. The Foundation argues Atlanta never got an actuarial reporting showing the city could afford to spend more money on pensions. The Foundation cites the current pension crisis as proof.

However, Jim Daws, President of the local IAFF chapter, argues the changes were necessary. He points back to experts who said firefighter would retire on pension below the poverty level without the increases.

"These firefighters, both retired and active, have worked for decades for the city with the understanding that we were going to have a certain level of retirement security," said Daws. "Now, these people are trying to cheat us out of it through some legal technicality."

Daws and his fellow union members, an estimated 200 were in attendance, held signs and shouted, "Save Our Pension" as Foundation members arrived at 103 West in Buckhead for their lunch with the Mayor.

During the meeting, Foundation President John Sherman said he supports pension as long as their fair and reasonable. He argues the city's decision to increase pension obligation for police, fire and other employees was not a financially responsible one.

"The benefits for the 3 pension funds, police fire and general, were enriched beyond any concern for affordability," said Sherman.

Mayor Reed agreed to speak to the Foundation well before the lawsuit was filed which made the lunch somewhat awkward. However, Reed said the lawsuit never prompted him to cancel the meeting. He told the small, financially minded crowd they won't always agree on issues. Reed said he doesn't mind a civil debate between unions and advocacy groups.

"That there is never a moment despite how hard (the problem), where meanness is appropriate," said Reed.

At the same time, Reed said any pension debate that focuses on the past and not the future does not help the city address its problems.

With at least 20 percent of Atlanta's budget spent on pension, Reed argues the city won't be able to maintain or improve anything without changes to its pension obligations.

The Mayor's pension review panel will issue recommendations sometime this month.