ORANGE COUNTY I: Judge Rules In Favor of Retiree Benefits

      Orange County Superior Court Judge John Woolley Tuesday ordered the Orange Unified School District to give retired classified employees the same health plan as current workers. The judge told the district to stop forcing retired workers into Medicare as their main insurance plan so it can save money. James Bowles, attorney for Orange Unified, said the school district will enroll retirees in the current workers' plan, but plans to charge them for the increased coverage. Lawyer John Pereira, who represents approximately 300 retired classified workers -- such as clerical and janitorial staff -- said the workers would "keep fighting for the benefits they want" (Sacchetti, Orange County Register, 2/2).