Unions DROP a lawsuit on city

BLUE-COLLAR municipal union District Council 33 is suing the city, claiming that changes made to the controversial Deferred Retirement Option Plan were illegal.

Two weeks ago, City Council overrode Mayor Nutter's veto of a bill that cuts the costs of the pension program. Nutter wanted Council to end DROP, saying that the city couldn't afford it.

The suit, filed Wednesday, argues that the city cannot change the terms of DROP without bargaining with the union.

"I know it's a politically charged issue . . . but we're concerned with the rank-and-file workers who are the least paid," said union attorney Samuel Spear. "It's really their savings plan, which is why DC 33 lobbied to get it."

The new plan, which begins in December, delays by two years the soonest date in which nonuniformed workers can enroll in DROP. It also cuts the interest rate for all future participants.

The changes do not apply to employees who are already age-eligible for DROP.