Retirement First on the UEA Agenda

While DEA has spent most of this week helping with 10-minute meetings in the schools, Kory Holdaway has led the UEA team with lobbying efforts on Capitol Hill. If you have not yet had a 10-minute retirement meeting in your school for all employees, contact your DEA building rep to get the information.

The coalition on retirement (of which UEA is a part) met with House Democrats Thursday during their noon caucus meetings and discussed the challenges related to retirement changes. UEA along with the Utah Public Employees Association, Utah School Employees Association, the Fraternal Order of Police and other labor groups all stood united against the changes proposed by Senator Liljenquist. Each of the groups recognizes there are challenges that Utah Retirement Systems must face; however, we are all in agreement we need to slow down the train these bills are on. The House Democrats asked some very good questions dealing with the protection of the retirement system. As the discussion proceeded, the need to protect the Defined Benefit in the URS system was stressed by each group in the coalition. It was shared with the members of the caucus that teachers and public employees should be looked upon as one of the great state assets and not a liability that must be funded. We also shared with them the need to maintain a meaningful benefit plan to attract and retain quality employees in our classrooms and public employment. The Democrats were very receptive to our message and wanted more information to further understand this important public policy decision.

We encourage you to visit Under the Dome frequently for updates on the lobbying efforts of UEA. Next Friday, February 5, is the first Educator Day on the Hill. We can still use some help that day. Contact Susan (susan@dea.org) if you are willing to take a day to visit with legislators, meet with the UEA team, and attend committee meetings. Other events are planned for next week. Your DEA building reps have that information and more will be sent to members early next week.