Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. has called on Senate President Milton Potter to bring union leaders before the 36th Legislature to testify on the practice of legislative “double-dipping” — where sitting senators receive both a government pension and full legislative salary while accruing a second pension.
In a letter delivered Monday, Bryan requested testimony from the heads of the American Federation of Teachers, United Steelworkers, Seafarers International Union, Virgin Islands Central Labor Council, and other labor organizations. He said their input is vital to public understanding of how this practice affects the trust of working-class government employees in the retirement system.
“This is about fairness and equity,” Bryan stated in the letter. “The hardworking men and women of this Territory — teachers, police officers, nurses, maintenance staff — are being asked to contribute more, retire later, and accept fewer benefits. Meanwhile, lawmakers are collecting two forms of compensation and building a second pension on top of their first. That’s a conversation we must have out in the open.”
Bryan acknowledged that while the practice may be legal, it deserves public scrutiny — especially from the union leaders who represent the interests of government workers impacted by long-standing solvency issues in the Government Employees’ Retirement System.
“I believe union leaders, as the voice of our working families, should weigh in on whether this system reflects the principles of fairness they advocate for every day,” Bryan said.
The governor added that although he remains committed to working with both the Legislature and labor community to protect and sustain GERS, transparency and accountability must come first.
St. Croix Source
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