New city workers in Los Angeles may find their benefits packages a little less attractive as budget officials consider a plan to decrease pensions amid concerns about skyrocketing costs. The ballot measure, which would go up for vote June 8, has already drawn the ire of local union officials, many of whom helped the current city administration get elected. Union spokespersons say the measure cannot be adopted without a return to the bargaining table for a new contract, while city officials claim Los Angeles' massive budget deficit gives them no choice but to consider the proposal.
See "Los Angeles officials consider a ballot measure to scale back pensions", David Zahniser and Phil Willon, Los Angeles Times, January 6, 2010