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Union-Tribune fights unemployment claims
Yes, this new era is scary. Greed is out of control. The experiment with a return to so-called free markets has failed. ========================== The top American hedgefund/private equity CEO made 3.7 billion last year-that is pretty out of control. This nonsense started with lax regulation in the 80's that allowed dirtbag financiers to destroy small and medium sized American businesses for the greed of the few. If you remember the mid 80's when Michael Milken was by FAR the highest paid fund manager (and basically Milken/Drexel were a private equity fund) made $562 Million personally in one year (1987/88?), which was 63 on the Forbes 500, right in front of McDonalds. Has only gotten worse, by allowing greedy individuals to loot American companies. Pathetic.— April 20, 2008 8:15 a.m.
Ambitious yet homeless, Eric Bidwell runs for mayor of San Diego
Eric has very cool hair-and considering the other 2 choices, I will have to seriously consider voting for him...... And considering he can live on $500 a month in San Diego, well that should go a LONG way with this City Clowncil.— April 19, 2008 4:55 p.m.
Union-Tribune fights unemployment claims
I have a Master's in journalism -- . By dbauder 1:55 p.m., Apr 19, 2008 ========= Don, where did you get your Masters Degree at????— April 19, 2008 4:50 p.m.
Sanders Official Who Was Fired for Challenging Unethical Practices Files Wrongful Termination Suit
The 60,000 seat guarantee and the Naval Training Center giveaway are just two examples. ================================ I do not believe these things were done because the Clowncil is stupid, I believe they were done intentionally, on purpose. There is NO WAY a City with a billion dollar budget can be this stupid-these were intentional acts for the benefit of the ones receiving the taxpayer largess. As I told one of our former Assistant City Attorneys on Voice of San Diego, a first semester law student in Contracts I could have negotiated a better deal than the Chargers ticket guarantee. So the notion that a City with a stable of municipal attorneys could not is baloney-it was a set up.— April 19, 2008 4:46 p.m.
Three Former City Officials Charged by SEC with Fraud Are Receiving Generous City Pensions
To his credit, Aguirre is apparently not participating in the retirement system as he promised. =================== I just spoke with a friend how is a manager at Union Pacific RR, who arguably has the very BEST private sector retirement plans for rank and file workers. They have a DB that pays 35% of the 3 highest years workerd at age 60. It takes 30 years of service to top out at that high mark. The plans vest in 5 years, and they also have a suipplemental 401K that is NON MATCHING. Oh, and last, they too are not a part of Social Security. The federal RR retiement plan predates SS by over 40 years. Now the good part, ther contribution, for rank and file (train crew) is 7.5% (slighlty lower than the 7.65% os SS) PLUS an additional 5.5% for a total of 13%. That is a huge difference from PD and FF pensions, and this is probably the very best pension plan in the private sector for rank and file workers-like FF II and PD patrolman in government. Oh wait, before I go, the first 3 years you only get 1 week of vacation and it is when the union tells you to take it, medical takes 90 days to kick in, dental takes ONE YEAR to kick in and the union dues are $150/month.— April 17, 2008 10:59 a.m.
Sanders Official Who Was Fired for Challenging Unethical Practices Files Wrongful Termination Suit
The depositions in this suit should shed light on the dubiously cozy relationship between Sainz and certain Union-Tribune writers. ====================== The depositions could be a deal killer for Sanders and his re election bid. If it comes out that Sainz comes clean (and he better under oath) about what he was feeding Alex Roth and others at the UT that will be curtains for Sanders. See, this is why you do NOT want to get involved in this type of lawsuit over misconduct, because once the laundry starts getting aired out in a deposition it is all over.— April 17, 2008 10:52 a.m.
Union-Tribune fights unemployment claims
I was told by a couple of former Copley people that the EDD bureaucrats were very rude and would not listen. ============== EDD people can be very rude, but they are just the opening round. They frequently make major mistakes and the only way to get issues straightened out is to request an administrative review-or even a review by the Superior Court. Administrative judges are full fledged lawyers and are for the most part are very fair (but there are EXCEPTIONS). Oh, and it is FREE! If you get a bad administrative judge then you ask for a review by the Superiour Court. It is actually a fast, effective and simple process.— April 16, 2008 7:31 p.m.
Sanders Wants City To Pay Union President's Salary During Bargaining; Aguirre Says It's Against the Charter
But does the $150,000 per year threshold include benefits? I doubt it. If it doesn't, you're comparing apples and oranges. ============= I dont know if benefits are included, I would guess no, they are not included. But the fact is private sector benefits increase compensation very little, hardly at all, certainly nothing compared to gov. But your point is well taken.— April 16, 2008 7:24 p.m.
Sanders Wants City To Pay Union President's Salary During Bargaining; Aguirre Says It's Against the Charter
Is the car allowance payments calculated as part of the salary for pension payments. If so, is SDCERS and it actuarials disclosing it. ============================= Richard Ryder posted on the UT web page that the $9600 car allownce was being used/included to calculate pension payments. Where he got it I do not know, but since he got it from somewhere then it has been disclosed. Is it codified-I don't know. If someone has Ryders email they can ask him, I'll look for the comment and link it if I find it.— April 16, 2008 3:57 p.m.
Union-Tribune fights unemployment claims
I went up against an unemployment claims firm in the past-didn't help the employer, they still lost, and were still charged. To be honest, after the cost to have the firm represent you is calculated, it is probably not much of a savings.— April 16, 2008 1:14 p.m.