According to DiCiccio, pension spiking costs hardworking Phoenix taxpayers $12 million per year.
“Spiking is clearly illegal, but the Mayor and some on the council still break the law and won’t stop it. They, the politicians, should be personally responsible, not the taxpayers. If this was the private sector, they would be fired for allowing their organization to break the law costing them millions a year,” said Phoenix Councilman Sal DiCiccio.
Even the extremely progressive union haven of Tucson was forced to end the practice after discovering that they would be broke soon. The Democratic-controlled Tucson City Council voted to end pension spiking.
DiCiccio notified constituents on Facebook of the Tucson City Council’s recent decision to act and the Phoenix City Council’s decision to maintain the status quo:
“Phoenix is facing a $38 million budget deficit. In addition to the $12 million for spiking, here are some of the reasons why we have a budget crisis:
40.5 days off is what an entry level currently gets. The budget adds more days off.
$19 million in new pay raises, but all cuts are on the public.
$17 million for a second retirement 401k plan. In addition to their pensions.
$107,470 is current average costs per employee for over 14,000 employees. Proposed budget will raise the average cost higher.
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).
$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).”