Mayor `disheartened'

Editor’s note: Mayor Scott Avedisian responded with the following statement to questions about the firefighters’ union action to grieve the Tier II pension system:I am disheartened by the actions of the IAFF Warwick Local 2748 to undo the pension ordinance amendments proposed by me and adopted by the City Council in 2011. Since the adoption of the revised pension ordinances for the municipal, police and fire employees, the city has enrolled over 213 new hires under the provisions of the revised pension ordinances. In the long run, the city’s actuarial consultant estimated savings under the revised pension ordinances of well-over $30 million. The municipal and police locals have embraced the revised pension ordinances knowing full well they are necessary for the best interest of the city and their membership. Unfortunately, the action of the Warwick IAFF Local threatens these savings.

I am further troubled by the fact that the Warwick IAFF Local bargained for and ratified two new collective bargaining agreements since the adoption of the revised pension ordinances. Yet, on neither occasion did the Warwick IAFF Local contest the revised pension ordinance amendments. In fact, employee pension contribution rates are tied to the new Fire II, Tier II actuarial projections. In my opinion, the Warwick Local’s actions are contrary to the best interest of the city.

The revised pension ordinances were a win-win for the taxpayer and contributing employees. The revised pension ordinances lowered the cost to taxpayers to provide city employees with decent, sustainable pension benefits. The current dispute with the Warwick IAFF Local is unnecessary. I urge the Warwick IAFF Local to put the best interest of the city before their personal interests and accept the revised pension ordinance provisions for its membership.

I am particularly disappointed with this action from the IAFF since at least two presidents of that union have repeatedly expressed to me that this action would not be taken. To have them do an about face on this issue will alter the good working relationship that we have had over the last 26 years.