Retirees to vote on proposed settlement in pension lawsuit

By Matt Blanchette with information from The Associated Pressnews@abc6.com 

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) _ Retirees suing the state over the 2011 overhaul of Rhode Island’s public pension system will soon vote on a potential settlement.

The retiree coalition is meeting Monday at the Twin River Casino Event Center to vote on an enhanced and recommended settlement agreement. It’s unclear whether other groups are included in the proposed settlement.

Governor Gina Raimondo, one of the chief architects of pension overhaul in 2011, said that while they are working toward a settlement, and that would be her preference, that the state is also prepared to go to court on April 20.
A meeting notice was sent to retirees Tuesday.         

It is still unclear when other unions that are involved in the lawsuit will be asked to vote.

Only member’s who attend Monday’s meeting will be able to vote. RIPERC apologized that they could not conduct full scale mail balloting because of the trial’s start date.

Retired Rhode Island Supreme Court chief justice Frank Williams is working to broker a settlement. He is expected to address the group on Monday.          

The lawsuit challenges higher retirement ages and cuts to cost-of-living increases that were designed to save Rhode Island $4 billion over 20 years.

Public-sector unions and retirees are suing the state. The trial is scheduled to begin April 20.  

(C) The Associated Press 2015