My public employee union (federal) does not have collective bargaining for wages and benefits, and that is how it should be.
We work for the taxpayer. If the taxpayer decides to tighten things up via their representatives in Congress, so be it.
My coworkers don’t quite see it that way, though. They constantly bombard me with articles about planned changes to our pay and retirement, trying to get me riled up. Doesn’t work.
I’m with you, Sandy. I retired from the federal government two years ago and am quite satisfied with my pension and other retiree benefits. But you’re right — if Congress wants to change the pension calculations for future federal retirees, it has every right to do so.
It’s worth noting that retirement benefits for federal employees are completely different from retirement benefits for state and local employees. Federal retirees’ benefits are funded by the federal government, which has the ability to simply print more money if necessary in order to ensure those commitments are funded. State and local governments don’t have that capability — they have to raise taxes or cut spending in other areas in order to satisfy their pension obligations. Some localities and states are in a difficult fiscal position and can’t raise taxes enough or cut other line-items enough to pay their full pension obligations.
Which is why I’m so glad I’m a federal, and not a state or local, retiree. I’m sure you are too!