AP: Judge to City: settle retiree suit (my employer)

[Omaha Steve]

I forgot to post this yesterday.

http://www.omaha.com/article/20100927/NEWS97/709279887

Published Monday September 27, 2010

A federal judge has ordered the city of Omaha to consider a settlement with roughly 1,100 retirees who’re fighting increases to their health insurance premiums.

Three workers unions filed a lawsuit in May after the Omaha City Council approved an ordinance that increases retirees’ premiums. The measure was to go into effect July 1, but U.S. District Judge Joseph Bataillon blocked it from taking effect.

Now, Bataillon has set an Oct. 5 settlement conference for both parties.

The unions say in their lawsuit that rules for retirees’ insurance premiums are included in collective-bargaining agreements between the unions and the city, so the ordinance impairs the contract in violation of state and federal constitutions.

- AP