Newport Beach Approves New Contract For Lifeguards
NEWPORT BEACH (AP) — Officials in one of California's most prominent beach cities have approved a new contract with fulltime lifeguards that would scale back pension benefits in the aftermath of public outcry over their compensation.
Newport Beach lifeguards now can retire at age 50 with 30 years of service and receive 90 percent of salary.
Podcast
KNX 1070's Mike Landa Reports
Under the new contract approved Tuesday night by the City Council, new hires will have a pension worth up to 50 percent less.
The guards will also increase the amount they pay toward their pensions, from 3.5 percent to 9 percent.
The lifeguards came under fire last month after budget negotiations revealed most earned more than $100,000 a year in total compensation.
The contract trades pension cuts in exchange for saving jobs.
(© Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
