Vermont teachers’ union rips retirement commission’s work ahead of report to be issued soon

Vt. teachers’ union rips retirement panel’s work

MONTPELIER, Vt. — Vermont’s major teachers’ union is trying to get out in front of a report to be issued soon on public retirement systems, saying it fears it might propose changes that would harm pensions for teachers, state and municipal workers.

The National Education Association’s Vermont chapter launched its own report Tuesday ahead of next week’s start to the Legislative session, saying it wants to help provide solutions to the state’s short-term budget crisis without destroying a teacher pension system in place for six decades.

NEA officials say they fear the special commission’s report will call on teachers and other public employees to work longer, pay more into the system and receive less in pensions.