Lawsuit Seeks Removal of Initiative To Shift S.F. Workers’ Health Fees

On Tuesday, San Francisco labor unions representing police officers, firefighters and others filed a lawsuit asking a judge to remove a measure from the November ballot that would overhaul their pension and health care benefits, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

Background on Ballot Measure

Proposition B, by San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi, calls for city employees to contribute more to the retirement system and cover a greater share of the health care costs for their dependents.

Adachi said initiative could reduce city spending by about $170 million annually and could help curb rising pension costs that have contributed to ongoing budget deficits.

More than 49,000 city residents signed the petition to put the initiative on the ballot.

Opposition Details

In the lawsuit, the plaintiffs argue that Proposition B violates employees' contractual rights to their retirement benefits and that petitions for the initiative misled voters.

City employees also contend that Proposition B will lead to higher health costs, which could force some workers to stop covering their dependants. In addition, they argue that the proposition could jeopardize $23 million in federal funding next year.

Next Steps

A judge would need to issue a ruling on Proposition B by Sept. 1 to meet print deadlines for the November election, officials said (Coté, San Francisco Chronicle, 8/11).