Performance pay is not 'pension spiking'
Contrary to the assertions in the Aug. 5 Arizona Republic ( "Goldwater: Tempe firefighters illegally spike pensions”), Tempe firefighters are not “exchanging” sick and vacation hours for pay and we are certainly not doing anything illegal to “artificially inflate an employee’s pension,” as a Goldwater Institute lawyer asserts.
Simply put, the Goldwater Institute ignored the facts and law surrounding Tempe’s completely legal performance pay program to further its agenda to end retirement benefits for hardworking public safety workers.
EDITORIAL:Tempe pension gimmick sticks it to taxpayers
Those of us who fight fires or work in law enforcement for a living have come to expect nothing less from Goldwater, which previously said of the retirement benefits earned by Arizona public safety workers, “It’s nice that they have figured out a way to rob us.”
As president of the Tempe Fire Fighters and a firefighter for more than 21 years, allow me to set the record straight. No firefighter is robbing anyone. Nor are we spiking our middle-class retirements benefits.
The so-called “retirement enhancer” targeted on the front page and in an editorial was passed years ago in an effort to curb overtime costs for the city. Because federal and industry standards require every fire engine rolling on a 911 emergency to carry a full crew, personnel taking days off can create substantial overtime costs for employers.
By creating an incentive for younger firefighters to conserve sick and vacation leave, performance pay alleviates the need to pay time-and-a-half (or more) to their replacements. The program also keeps our most veteran employees on the street, where their skills better serve residents and their fellow first responders.
The Aug. 5 coverage suggested that performance pay involves an “exchange” of sick or vacation hours for pay as a “pension gimmick.” That’s false.
After a minimum 17 years on the job, firefighters who have accrued more than 440 vacation hours or 1,400 sick hours can make a choice to accrue more hours or, instead, earn a modest salary increase for up to six years.
This decision is made before additional sick or vacation hours are accrued and, therefore, there is no “exchange” of hours for pay. Instead, eligible fire fighters make a choice they’re legally entitled to make under a contract thoroughly vetted by the city and outside attorneys and approved by the Tempe City Council.
Considered reasonably, as opposed to through the lens of a think tank that takes pride in suing government at taxpayers’ expense, performance pay is no different than any raise given to an employee, whether it be granted for earning an advanced degree or achieving additional years on the job.
Performance pay is a benefit legally available to firefighters who have been with the city for nearly two decades and who have come to work, ready to respond to emergencies, rather than call out sick or take a vacation.
Only for the Goldwater Institute is serving with an exemplary attendance record for nearly 20 years a blatant attempt to rip off taxpayers. And only in Goldwater’s world do public safety workers merit attacks and scorn instead of respect and support.
Don Jongewaard is president of Tempe Fire Fighters.