Retirement Issues

In light of the retirement discussion, many ideas are coming forward to the legislature. UPEA has taken the stance that at this point in time no changes should be made, because no one has enough information on what will solve the problem, or if the economy will continue to rebound. For your information, I have linked the actual proposition of the League of Cities and Towns.

On 12 November, 2009 the Legislative Retirement and Independent Entities Committee will be meeting at 9:00 AM to further discuss the retirement system. Their agenda contains the following information:

• Compensation for State Public Employees
• Utah State Retirement Systems Trust Fund Financial Status and Alternative Actuarial Models.
• A Performance Audit of the Cost of Benefits for Reemployed Retirees and Part-Time Employees.
• Retirement System Key Issues and Reform Options - Updates
• Other Committee Business

For more information regarding the Retirement and Independent Entities Committee meeting, I have attached their link here.

Meeting with DOC Executive Director

UPEA staff member, Kory Cox, and District President, Wayne Cox, met with Department of Corrections Executive Director, Tom Patterson, and Deputy Director, Robyn Williams, on 29 September, 2009. In the meeting a couple of items were addressed:

• Budget issues for the Department of Corrections
• Morale in the Department of Corrections

Wayne Cox brought up the fact that several employees are very worried about their jobs, due to the economic situation in the state of Utah. This is causing many employees to be ill, and in effect less productive on the job. Patterson indicated that this was new information to him, and is open to new ideas on correcting this problem.

Wayne also noted concern for safety of the corrections officers, due to the issue of programming being cut. Programs help rehabilitate inmates, and cutting this type of programming can create boredome and problems within the prison system.

Kory Cox asked Patterson about the budget outlook for FY2011. Patterson indicated that the budget, depending on final budget projections, looks bleak. He did indicate that he does want to avoid layoffs as much as possible. He would much rather see a furlough of some sort. He discussed changes that have been instituted this year with the uniform vouchers and meals to staff and volunteers. However, Patterson noted that ifthey are required to cut as much as 5% they could see an early release of prisoners or a closure of a pod. In addition, the Department would not be able to open a parole violator center, thus decreasing bed space at the Draper and Gunnison facilities.

Kory also indicated that UPEA is interested in helping out with the morale issues and where we can with the budget situation by educating legislators.

UPEA was glad to meet with Patterson and Williams, and hopes to be able to keep an open relationship with the Administration of the Department.

Government Ops on 4 Tens

News organizations have widely reported on the savings from switching to the 4-tens work week, but they missed one important note: employees deserve mega kudos for saving the state over $4.1 million!


Thanks to public employees, Huntsman’s experiment has also made some energy savings—but not as much as was expected. Department of Human Resource Management’s Executive Director, Jeff Herring, said that the unrealized savings are due, in part, to falling energy prices. Remember the $3+/gallon gas?


Utah Public Employees’ Association was the only association representing employees at the Wed., Oct. 21st Government Operations Interim Committee. UPEA is advocating that employees receive recognition and consideration for their sacrifices in making the 4-tens experiment a success.


In the next few weeks, Dan Jones and Associates will conduct a poll of taxpayers to assess whether or not they favor the 4-tens. On one hand, who wouldn’t favor $4.1 million in savings? On the other hand, many taxpayers have a “once scorned…” mindset. Dan Jones & Associates has had trouble wording their survey to exclude respondents’ experiences with other levels of government, such as the county or federal government.

UPEA will keep you informed of all the developments regarding the 4-tens.