More time to DROP in Philadelphia?

City council calls for a window of opportunity for more workers to enroll in the early retirement program Mayor Nutter wants to kill.

Philadelphia City Council wants to give city workers more time to enroll in an expensive early retirement incentive program. Mayor Nutter wants to eliminate the DROP program.

The council resolution calls for providing a “window of opportunity” for city workers to sign up for DROP. Councilwoman Marian Tasco says with over 1,100 city employees signing up since Mayor Michael Nutter announced his intention to end the program, city workers will need time to make a decision.

“At the end of the day that many employees could have a serious impact on the pension plan if they rush to get into the DROP and many of them prematurely.”

Councilman Curtis Jones says the mass retirements could cause many problems in the city.

“I don’t want them all signing up on the same day and getting out and then finding out we don’t know where the switches are to turn the water off.”

Council is expected to have hearings on ending the retirement option before the end of the year.

Seven council members of have enrolled in DROP.