Editorial: All L.A. Unions Should Adopt Pension Plan
A Los Angeles Times editorial argues that the four Los Angeles labor groups that recently voted against contributing 4% of their salaries toward retiree health benefits made a "shortsighted" decision. "Rapid increases in labor costs, such as employee health benefits and workers' compensation, are projected to cause large budget shortfalls for the next several years," the Times writes. "Absent some unexpected savings or surge in revenue," the city might be forced to "eliminate[e] lower-priority services and terminat[e] the positions associated with them," the editorial continues, adding, "Labor leaders should ask the dissenting units to vote again on the proposal in light of the long-term threats to their employment."
- "Unions: It's Better To Go Along With Mayor Villaraigosa's Cost-Saving Plans" (Los Angeles Times, 4/29).