Nutter’s pension overhauls stalled in Philadelphia

Mayor Michael Nutter is pushing for a pension overhaul in Philadelphia as part of ongoing contract negotiations but major parts of the plan are stalled.

 

The first part of the overhaul according to Mayor Michael Nutter is getting more workers on the hybrid pension plan the police now have. It sets different terms for new hires to the force.

“We have the only pension plan of its kind for uniformed employees that’s a hybrid plan for new police officers or to stay in the current plan to pay more,” Nutter said. “We are seeking to have the same kind of change for all three unions we negotiate with.”

Nutter says the arbitration award for the firefighters contract did not include everything the administration wanted, so the city is appealing. He says it’s tough to make progress on negotiations while the appeal is pending. Blue and white collar city workers have been without a contract for two years.

“We’re not the only ones who are being challenged by this,” he said. “Whether it’s Pittsburgh, the commonwealth or many other cities across the commonwealth itself, this is a major issue.”

Nutter is also calling for an elimination of the DROP retirement program. City council has not scheduled any hearings on his proposal.