HomeMy WebLinkAboutM-91-0597ZVOATION OF RETIRED CITY OF t"I
POLICE & FIREFIGHTERS, INC.
Post Office Box 970218
Miami, FL 33197-0218
August 30th, 1991 t3
.0
The Honorable Xavier Suarez,
Mayor of the City of Miami a'
3500 Pan American Drive N
Miami, FL 33133 +'
O
M
Sir:
We read with great disappointment the article in the Miam
Herald on August 29th, 1991, entitled "Miami budget holds'
line on taxes, services." "Unions to give up 4 percent
pay raise."
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As has been the case for the last two decades, retired
police and fire fighters have once again been left out of
the picture. Verbally, and "off-the-record," we have been
assured that "if we will keep quiet we will be taken care
of," by the very same unions which tell us they cannot
legally represent us. Our silence has resulted in our
Cost of Living Adjustment amounting to less than one-half
of one percent per year, over the last 15 years. Overall,
retired police and fire fighters have received a total of
2,% increase, as our Cost of Living Adjustment, to cover
the past 15 years: The Social Security increase for this
same period (1975-91) is 99.3% (but most retired police and
fire fighters do not draw Social Security, as it was not
deducted from their paychecks). Many retired police and
fire fighters are silently living at, or below, the poverty
level. Our silence has also resulted in health insurance
benefits which many of us cannot afford, at the time in
life when we need it most.
Our silence is getting more difficult to maintain, while
waiting for someone to make good on assurances to see to
our needs. This latest plan overlooks our very existence.
Because we have dared to question this lack of attention to
our needs, or the appropriate implementation of the Gates
Judgment, we have been threatened with the loss of what
little COLA we do receive.
O
U
N
We do not feel that we are being unreasonable in asking some-
one to address this matter. We hope that you would consider
our needs at your next meeting, on September 5th, 1991, while
determining the "bonuses for employees who retire early,"
making theirs "a more generous retirement program." We cannot
help but wonder how much longer we are to be quiet, and when
our turn will come. After all, we also contributed portions
of our lives and paychecks, while serving our community, as
active police and fire fighters. We are only asking that
some of this money, set aside by us and for us, be dispersed
to us while we are still here to receive it.
91-- 591
page two
We thank you for your time to consider our. concerns. We
look forward to a response in this matter.
Ver truly yfour ,
Paul G. Dammann,
as Co-Secretary/Treasurer, Pro-Tem
P.S. As an example of our COLA benefit: I retired from the
City of Miami Fire Department as a Private on February 16th,
1981, with 25 years (including service time - 2 years) as
combat fire fighter. I have been retired for lOZ years:
My Cost of Living Adjustment amounts to $26.48 per month.
To maintain my City Group Insurance costs me $155.71 per
month, and does not cover my wife. I am 60 years old.
PGD/dd
1001
cc:Mr. Cesar Odio, City Manager
Mr. J. L. Plummer, Vice Mayor
Mr. Victor DeYorre, Commissioner
Mr. Miller J. Dawkins, Commissioner
Ms. Marian Alonso, Commissioner
Submitted into the public
record in connection with
4c'm _ onZAZY-)-
,71
Matty Hirai
City Clerk
91. -- 597