It sounds like a recurring nightmare: anti-state worker groups want to increase your retirement eligibility age, slash your pension, force you to pay 15-25% more in income tax, and prevent your ACSS from standing up for your rights.

But this latest nightmare could become reality sooner than you think.

The Secretary of State’s office has released a list of more than two dozen initiatives and referenda—several of which brutally attack working conditions, benefits, and rights of state employees. These initiatives have now been cleared for signature gathering.

In the coming months you will begin to see hordes of signature gatherers outside of grocery stores, coffee shops, libraries, etc. trying to accumulate the thousands of petition signatures they need to get those anti-state worker initiatives in front of voters in the form of ballot measures.

Spread the word to co-workers, friends, and family to avoid signing any petitions. As reported during your previous ACSS Board Meeting, the signature gatherers often use less than forthright tactics to get the signatures they need to attack your livelihood.

All four of the below initiatives have been approved for signature gathering and were submitted by organizations with a long history of espousing anti-state worker rhetoric:

1.      Initiative 1502. (11-0022) Will amend Constitution.

INCREASES RETIREMENT AGE for Teachers, Peace Officers, and Other Public Employees.
Signatures Required: 807,615
Increases the minimum retirement age to 65 (or 58 for sworn public safety officers) for members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System and the California State Teachers' Retirement System, including for teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and other public employees. (Full Text available via Secretary of State’s site)

2.      Initiative 1504. (11-0026)

REDUCES PENSION BENEFITS FOR PUBLIC EMPLOYEES. Creates a New State Retirement System for Private Sector Employees.
Signatures Required: 504,760
Reduces pension benefits for current and future public employees, including teachers, nurses, and peace officers. For two years, and beyond if system pension obligations are underfunded, changes the minimum retirement age and further reduces annual pension amount received. Restricts the availability of defined contribution plans including 401(k) plans for public employees. Creates a new state retirement system for private sector employees. Requires audits of pension systems. Caps base pay for new employees and employees in underfunded systems. (Full Text available via Secretary of State’s site)

3.      Initiative 1501. (11-0021) Will amend Constitution.

INCREASES INCOME TAXES on Teachers, Nurses, Police Officers, Firefighters, and Other Public Employees for Pension Income.
Signatures Required: 807,615
Increases income tax rate by 15% for annual pension income between $100,000 and $149,999, and 25% for annual pension income over $150,000, on income received by teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and other public employees from the California Public Employees' Retirement System and the California State Teachers' Retirement System. (Full Text available via Secretary of State’s site)

4.      Initiative 1500. (11-0020)

ELIMINATES COLLECTIVE BARGAINING RIGHTS for Teachers, Nurses, Police Officers, Firefighters, and Other Public Employees.
Signatures Required: 807,615
Eliminates collective bargaining rights for teachers, nurses, police officers, firefighters, and other public employees. Prohibits state and local public agencies from recognizing any labor union or other employee association as a bargaining agent of any public employee. Prohibits state and local public agencies from collectively bargaining with public employee unions or employee associations. (Full Text available via Secretary of State’s site)
 

For more information on the process of getting a ballot measure before the voters and on the current initiatives that will be circulating for signatures, see the Secretary of State’s site: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/ballot-measures/cleared-for-circulation.htm