Unions Sue over Retirement Contributions

PHOENIX – Three unions are challenging changes Arizona has made to the amount many state and local government workers and their employers contribute to the main state retirement system.

The lawsuit was announced Thursday by the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and two unions representing school employees– the Arizona Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers .

The changes affecting the Arizona State Retirement System increase the amount an estimated 200,000 workers will pay and decrease the amount their employers will pay.

“Teachers and other education employees don’t come into the profession to get rich but to make the world better for students,” said Andrew F. Morrill, President of the Arizona Education Association. “We build a secure community by taking on the responsibility of educating students across the state, one neighborhood school at a time. It’s a responsibility that we accept gladly and take seriously. We are asking the state to honor its contract with its employees and provide a fair level of security and independence after finishing a career of educating Arizona’s students.”

Arizona legislators included the contribution changes in the new state budget for the fiscal year that began July 1.

At issue in the challenge is whether the contribution changes violate employees’ contractual rights under the Arizona Constitution.

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