[nfbmi-talk] why i think chris and dave were fired

[joe harcz Comcast]

This is from the March 2010 MCB Report:

“RETIREMENT INCENTIVES COULD AFFECT COMMISSION

 

At the end of January Governor Jennifer M. Granholm unveiled a proposal providing incentives for long-serving state employees to consider retirement as

a way to reduce the size of the state government workforce and reduce expenditures.  The Office of the State Budget sent an email to all state employees

on February 11 detailing some of the proposed State Employee Retirement System reforms designed to alleviate the system’s $3.1 billion liability as of

the end of the past fiscal year and to diminish projected fiscal burdens in future years.  While these are still proposals, and not final decisions, here

is a summary of the proposed changes:

 

* Eliminate the state subsidy for retiree dental/vision coverage for employees retiring after October 1, 2010. Future retirees will still be able to buy

coverage in the state plan, but at their own cost.

 

* Require a 3% employee salary contribution for active SERS (State Employee Retirement System) plan members effective October 1, 2010. This reform re-instates

a 3% member contribution in effect prior to 1974, and requires contributions similar to those in the other state-administered pension plans for legislative

members, judges and public school employees.

 

* Cap SERS plan service credit after 30 years; employees would be transferred to the defined contribution plan for any additional years of service accrued

subsequent to September 30, 2010. This cap does not apply to service credit purchased by the employee. Employees currently exceeding 30 years of service

would retain all service time accrued prior to this date, and would be vested immediately upon transfer in the defined contribution plan. The final average

compensation calculation for the defined benefit plan for transferred employees' would continue to be factored on the highest consecutive three years of

compensation at the date of separation from state employment.

 

* Establish a phased retirement option whereby an employee can draw their SERS pension, but must reduce hours worked by at least 50% (1,040 hours maximum).

The option would be offered at the discretion of the employer, and available to employees age 60 and older. The option is for one year, but can be renewed

annually for up to a total of three years.

 

* Provide a limited retirement incentive with the multiplier increased from 1.5% to 1.6% for employees eligible for a full retirement (age 60 with at least

10 years of service, or age 55 with 30 years of service) who retire between July 1, 2010 and October 1, 2010. Eligible employees in "covered positions”

may choose between the 1.6% multiplier and the supplemental benefit to which they would otherwise be entitled. Terminal leave obligations (excluding banked

leave time) for employees retiring under this incentive program would be paid over 60 months beginning in fiscal year 2011. The deferral of annual leave

payouts will not impact the final average compensation calculation. This retirement incentive is also only available to employees occupying positions subject

to the new State Health Plan PPO/HMO.  This new employee health benefit plan takes effect for new hires on or after April 1, 2010.

 

Statewide, it is estimated that approximately 6,300 eligible state employees will elect to retire.  Overall, the state workforce will be permanently reduced

by nearly 2,000 employees due to a limitation on the number of replacement hires.

 

According to a preliminary survey of MCB staff, 28 staff are eligible to retire under the proposed plan. Of these 28, it’s estimated that approximately

15 may retire.  That will create 15 vacancies, and according to the plan, MCB will be able to fill two of every three vacancies, potentially reducing the

number of Commission staff by five.

 

The Commission has formed an internal ad hoc committee to develop a plan on how to most effectively address the anticipated staff reduction in a manner

that would have the least detrimental impact on consumer services.  MCB currently has several staff vacancies to be filled and efforts are underway to

fill as many of these vacancies as possible prior to the anticipated retirements in order to mitigate their impact.”

 

Now, I’m of the opinion that the purges of Dave Robinson and Christine boone coincided with the Governor’s announcement here and that Cannon had a “heads up” from the inside. I think his firings had a whole lot to do with this. I think they are trying to downsize like the auto industry and when they do hire back they will replace with lower pay rates and benefits (re: job notices).

 

Moreover, Cannon is using this as leverage to intimidate good staff at MCB TC, and I’m certain elsewhere as well. There is a proverbial sword over people’s heads. And it is dangled in the hands of Cannon.

 

Well, the state sure could save some money by firing his highly paid and incompetent backside.

 

Joe