Board of Aldermen greenlights firefighter pension reform

Joseph Leahy — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 22:20:53 +0000

Mayor Francis Slay scored a decisive victory Friday in his months-long battle to rein in firefighter pension costs. In a 17 to 10 vote, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen approved major reforms to the department’s retirement system, cutting benefits, raising payments, and preventing full retirement until age 55.

Slay’s office estimates the changes will save the city $8 million a year in pension costs that have more than quadrupled in the last five years.

Mayor Slay’s Chief of Staff Jeff Rainford says the reforms are necessary and protect taxpayers.

City of St. Louis to lay off 30 firefighters

Adam Allington — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 22:15:55 +0000

The St. Louis firefighters union lashed out at city hall today after the mayor announced the layoffs of 30 firefighters.

The mayor's office claims that firefighter pension payments are doubling to nearly $11 million in just two years and risk bankrupting city government.

Chris Molitor is the President of Firefighters Local 73. Among other things, he accused the mayor of refusing to negotiate in good faith.