Union paid own pension costs

Union members who are county employees paid the costs of their own pension increases in 2004, said an Internal Audit Department report Friday.

The report validates the union’s and Board of Supervisor’s position that members, and not county taxpayers, paid a so-called 2.7% raise at age 55 benefit formula, said a union official.

“We’re vindicated,” said Nick Berardino, general manager of the 13,300-member union.

In recent years, county conservatives have hammered at what they called “labor giveaways” by the board, when in fact employees are paying for the added contributions, the report said.

The audit was requested by the board chairman.

-- David Reyes