UPI sends the message: No more pension cuts! No to a 2% pay cut!

As you know Illinois Governor Pat Quinn delivered his first budget address to the General Assembly on March 18. He called for a much-needed income tax increase, but asked public employees to bear the brunt of cuts to address the state's burgeoning $11.6 billion deficit.

The governor's plan proposes several changes to the state's funded pension programs among them the State Universities’ Retirement System (SURS). The governor is asking for a two percent increase in active employee contributions with no changes in benefits and the establishment of a new lower tier of benefits for new hires. The governor's plan would require state employees to take four furlough days, and would increase health care contributions from state employees and retirees.

This is the first of several opportunities we will be giving you to write your legislators to urge them to oppose changes to public pension systems.

Write your legislators today to urge them to oppose changes to public pension systems. You can also keep up with the latest news via the UPI Local 4100 and IFT websites.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: No More Pension Cuts

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As a proud employee of one of Illinois' public universities, I, along with my colleagues, recognize the need for the Governor and the General Assembly to address the burgeoning budget deficit facing our state. Having seen and experienced the consequences for our institutions and our pension system resulting from years of failure to raise required revenue, we support the much needed tax increase.

We are willing to do our part. But we are unwilling to pay more than our fair share of the burden. The proposal to force public employees to make additional contributions to the State Universities Retirement System to help make up for the state's failure to pay its required share is totally unacceptable. Compounding the insult is the recommendation that the state skip its required pension payment for next year. We have consistently met our obligations to pay our share. It's past the time for the State of Illinois to do the same. The idea that we can solve the problems we face as a result of ongoing underfunding of the pension system by again underfunding the pension system defies logic!

I urge you to support a tax increase and oppose all pension-system changes that place the burden of balancing the budget on the backs of public employees.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
April 21, 2009


Background Information

Here are the facts about our response to the governor's FY2010 budget:

  • We commend Governor Quinn for courageously recognizing the State’s fiscal deficit and proposing
    an increase in the income tax.
  • We appreciate that in this time of economic turmoil, the Governor has recognized that investment
    in public higher education is part of the solution.
  • We are committed to supporting efforts by the Governor and the General Assembly to increase revenue in a fair and equitable way to meet the needs of the people of Illinois, especially at all levels of the public education system.

However,

  • We must say NO to the Governor’s proposals that would place much of the burden for closing the budget gap on the State’s employees, including those at our colleges and universities, and on retirees.
  • We must say NO to increased employee pension contributions that would force employees
    to pay for past administrations reneging on its obligation to appropriately fund that system.
  • We must say NO to another proposed “pension holiday” which would further undermine the integrity of the university pension system.
  • We must say NO to the creation of a 2nd tier benefit system for future employees, when the evidence is clear that present benefits are neither extravagant compared to other public pensions nor unduly costly in comparison to the alternatives.
  • We must say NO to increased health insurance premiums, particularly those that would most adversely affect our oldest and most vulnerable retirees.

Join the University Professionals of Illinois and our fellow State employees in contacting the Governor and our State Senators and Representatives to say we will support a tax increase that fairly distributes the cost of State government, but we will vigorously oppose those who try to place an unfair burden on those who provide public services.