Trimming the fat

Re “Mayor tries to eliminate layoffs,” April 22

It’s great to know that, after 31 years of loyal service to the city of Los Angeles, Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa now considers me “deadwood.” Apparently, experience is not valued by this administration.

Older, skilled city employees serve on the “frontline of city service” every day and will leave a gaping hole should they all elect to retire.

Susan Harbach

Sherman Oaks

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The Times reports that employee unions are urging the city of Los Angeles to offer early retirement packages to city workers as a means of avoiding layoffs. Such a proposal would increase the unfunded liability of L.A.’s pension systems, which the city would have to pay off for years to come.

The mayor’s budget summary reports that without changes to the city’s retirement plans, the legally required contributions to its pension systems may triple over the next five years to $2.8 billion annually. The League of Women Voters of Los Angeles supports making changes to retirement benefits for new employees to lower this liability. It opposes steps, such as early retirement packages, that would increase it.

Liza White

Los Angeles

The writer is president of the League of Women Voters of Los Angeles.