San Jose City Workers Sue Over Pension Reform Wording

SAN JOSE (KCBS) - An attorney representing several San Jose city workers who have sued the city over a ballot measure that would reduce pension benefits for new hires said Monday she would file for an expedited hearing on the suit.

The lawsuit filed Friday claims the pension measure put on the ballot by the city council and supported by Mayor Chuck Reed is not neutrally worded.

"This one clearly does prejudice the voters in favor of the measure, using hot button words like essential services, reform and abuses," said attorney Robin Johansen with the firm Remcho, Johansen and Purcell.

Reed has indicated the city council would ask the city clerk to write a neutral analysis of the reform measure later this month.

The measure would establish lower pensions for new city hires, and require current workers to pay more for their retirement unless they switch to a less costly plan with reduced benefits.

The San Jose City Attorney's Office has defended the measure's wording, and compared the lawsuit to a similar complaint against a pension reform initiative by San Francisco Public Defender Jeff Adachi that was rejected by a judge.

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