The One and One-Half Percent Solution?

With the Davis Administration, the expression: “We Cheat the Others and Pass the Savings on to You”; “Others” seems to have become more inclusive.

Before, the failure to negotiate adequate medical contributions was basically shifted to the non-voting retirees. Now it appears as if the Active Members may be asked to take a bite from Davis’ meager buffet.

At the San Francisco meeting the notion that Active Members would suffer a 1.5 percent “tax” on their base pay to add to the Medical Plan coffers was broached. This morning, one of the more loyal shills posted something on the Members BBS about calling “Washington” to find out about it.

Is this an effort by the Davis Administration to find out just what the Active Members are willing to accept in what amounts to a backdoor wage cut to all actives to compensate for a few low-ball contracts with high attendant liabilities?

If it is, expect this to be couched in the usual divisive “it’s cuz o’ dem pensioners and their 10 kids” terms instead of the true reason.

Davis’ recently late change to the retirees with dependents minimum may be driving this. Notice the $800 per month maximum has been rescinded, raising the specter that Davis himself may have to pay more for himself should he retire. He then drops the 2008 COLA in effect making the cap change cost neutral for himself.

What was it Davis was putting out to the Members about the MEBA Medical Plan in 2004?

Ah yes, here is a gem:

“….Bottom line is that the Medical Plan is bringing in more money than it pays out, and this will only continue because we have negotiated excellent contribution rates into every contract over the past three years”