Retirement-Sign.jpg

In December, we reported on renewed proposals to amend California’s Constitution, as it relates to public employee pension benefits. At that time, former San Jose Mayor, Chuck Reed, and former San Diego City Councilmember, Carl DeMiao, were aiming to move one of two voter initiatives towards the November 2016 ballot, depending on the Attorney General’s title and summary of their proposed initiatives. The initiatives would require voter approval for any enhancement to the pension or retiree healthcare benefits of new employees and cap employer pension plan contributions as a percentage of base employee compensation. This month, Mr. Reed and Mr. DeMaio announced that they are postponing their efforts and setting sites for the 2018 ballot, citing financial considerations and the pending Supreme Court decision in Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association. LCW will keep you updated on the progress of these initiatives.

Print:
Email this postTweet this postLike this postShare this post on LinkedIn
Photo of Erin Kunze Erin Kunze

Erin provides advice and counsel to Liebert Cassidy Whitmore’s public sector and nonprofit organization clients in the areas of labor relations, governance, and employee pension and health benefits.  She regularly advises clients on a broad spectrum of employment law issues, including workplace policies…

Erin provides advice and counsel to Liebert Cassidy Whitmore’s public sector and nonprofit organization clients in the areas of labor relations, governance, and employee pension and health benefits.  She regularly advises clients on a broad spectrum of employment law issues, including workplace policies, disability accommodations, unlawful harassment, workplace investigations, and employee discipline.

In the area of labor relations, Erin regularly audits collective bargaining agreements and employee relations rules to advise clients on current legal standards and best practices.  She additionally represents clients in negotiations and labor disputes, providing legal counsel through mediation, arbitration and before administrative agencies.

As a member of the Retirement, Health and Disability Practice, Erin advises clients on CalPERS enrollment and retired annuitant issues, as well as issues pertaining to the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Public Employees’ Medical Hospital Care Act (PEMHCA) compliance.

As a member of the firm’s Business & Facilities Practice, Erin assists academic institutions and nonprofit clients in complying with foundation, donation, and exempt organization requirements.  She provides advice and counsel on contractual obligations and vendor agreements, and she regularly advises clients on issues specific to community college district foundations, including those with auxiliary organization status.

Prior to joining the firm, Erin developed diverse legal experience through her work with various criminal justice and human rights organizations, including the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in the Netherlands; Hastings College of Law’s Center for Gender and Refugee Studies; and the Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project (PAIR).  Erin has also worked with a number of nonprofit arts organizations including California Lawyers for the Arts, Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts of Massachusetts, and the New England Foundation for the Arts. With those agencies, Erin worked on programmatic matters as well as issues relating to nonprofit incorporation, governance, and development.