Appearing to defy the court order, Zuercher extended that to February 24.
“This delay is not meant to comply with the law, but for the unions and the union backed Mayor Stanton to get around the law,” said Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCiccio.
“Phoenix is facing a budget crisis and everyday that goes by is more taxpayer money wasted,” says DiCiccio. “They are thumbing their nose at taxpayers, the court and the law by delaying. This decision is backward. The court order should go into effect and if the unions want to negotiate a better deal they should do this on their own dime, not the taxpayers.”
It is believed that if the ruling would have gone into effect, it could have statewide and national implications. Cities throughout Arizona and the country use taxpayer money to fund union activity. Using sick leave and vacation time is still taxpayer monies.
According to DiCiccio:
4 hour rule – salaried employees work 4 hours, get paid for 8 if you leave for a sick day, you get to keep your sick day for retirement and for spiking your pension.
10 people retired in 2011 – walked away with over $700,000 cash and started yearly pensions over $114,000/yr.
All employees get to accumulate sick leave and vacation hours year after year-cash them in at retirement spiking their pensions. Yes, walk away cash and spike pensions (double dipping).
12 million hours – amount of accrued vacation and sick leave taxpayers still owe employees.
$283 million – amount of total retirement paid out this year alone (pension, medical, comp).
$12 million – amount paid out yearly for spiking alone.
$8.5 million – amount paid out last year alone for vacation and sick leave payouts at retirement.
$137 million – amount paid out in pay raises since the food tax was enacted on the public.
$2.4 billion – amount of unfunded pension debt Phoenix owes today (you owe).
Every employee gets walk away money at retirement and their yearly pensions.
40.5 – days off an entry level employee gets their very first year on the job.
$105,000 – Average total compensation for over 14,000 employees (Total comp is salary/wages, health, retirement benefits, etc.).
DiCiccio pledged to continue fighting the pension spiking by the City.