Today's e-mails from UPEA have garnered many questions from Salt Lake County employees. The number one question posed to UPEA Employee Representatives is:
Does this affect the age that I can retire?
Answer: It depends on an employee's age at retirement. If an employee is 65, they only need 4 years of service to collect a monthly pension. However, URS uses a scale to determine how many years of service an employee needs if they are under 65. For further information, see http://www.urs.org/general/pdf/brochures/noncontrib.pdf.
The other question drives right at the heart of member involvement with UPEA:
How does this affect County employees?
Answer: All public employees, including teachers, will feel the impact of an overhaul to the retirement system. No public employee is immune.
In addition to our work at the state level, UPEA employee representatives also work with the County Council to protect your rights, benefits and compensation. NO OTHER LABOR ORGANIZATION COVERS COUNTY EMPLOYEES IN BOTH STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT.
Employees need a labor association that works for their benefits at all levels of government--and fights for their rights during grievance proceedings. UPEA does all of it. If you are on the fence for joining, let this be the year that you finally join our ranks. Remember, you may drop membership at any time, but we hope that you will see the benefit of your involvement and help others understand what this association is about.
NOTE: There is a District Meeting on January 20th, 2010 at 12:00. Members and non-members are invited to participate. Call 1-800-224-8732 ext. 209 for more information.
FINAL NOTE: If you voted for another labor organization in recent elections, you may still become a member of UPEA. Click Here to See Our Dues and Benefits.
