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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend February 2, 2006 Medford retiree flap ratchets up Retired city attorney Ron Doyle files a discrimination complaint with the Bureau of Labor and Industries By MEG LANDERS Mail Tribune Medford’s former city attorney has filed a Bureau of Labor and Industries discrimination complaint against the city over its failure to provide health insurance to retirees. The complaint, filed Jan. 24 by Ron Doyle, is being reviewed by BOLI, according to Marc Zolten, communications director in the Portland office. "We have not decided whether we’re going to take this case," said Zolten. "We’ll decide in the next day or two." Medford City Attorney John Huttl declined comment on the subject. "I haven’t received a copy of that," he said, adding that any other questions would be referred to Robert Franz, Springfield attorney hired by Medford’s liability insurance company to investigate claims against the city. Advertisement The BOLI complaint follows tort claims by nine former city employees, including Doyle, notifying of their intent to sue over the lack of health insurance for retirees. Doyle also has claimed that City Manager Mike Dyal violated the law by discontinuing retiree insurance. The council will consider Doyle’s complaint against Dyal during the fourth closed session in seven weeks scheduled for today after the noon City Council meeting. Retirees have requested that the city change the insurance coverage so that they are given the option of buying into the city’s insurance plan. About 300 of the 440 city employees have health insurance through the Oregon Teamsters Employee Trust. That policy does not provide an option of continuing coverage into retirement, according to Doug Detling, human resources director. Doyle maintains that by offering that policy, the city violates state law and runs counter to a resolution adopted by the council in 1986 saying that retirees would have access to continued coverage under the city’s insurance plan. Dyal has said that because retirees can buy into the Public Employee Retirement System insurance plan, the city’s obligation is taken care of. In December, Wayne Botta, Teamsters labor representative, sent a letter to union members stating that the change to the current policy was made in 2002 because it would save the city about $750,000 over the following two-year budget. He wrote that a majority of voting union members must request the coverage. Council directed staff during its Jan. 19 meeting to look into what it would cost to get retiree health insurance for current employees. It also asked staff to look into changing policy so that the council, not the city manager, hired and fired the city attorney. Dyal was Doyle’s supervisor when the retiree insurance was dropped, and Doyle has said he did not alert the council because he was afraid of being fired. Dyal and Doyle declined comment for the story because of the pending litigation, and attempts to reach Franz by press time were unsuccessful. Reach reporter Meg Landers at 776-4481 or e-mail Medford retiree flap ratchets up ">[email protected] . What’s happened so far A short history of Medford retiree health insurance. April 2002 — Most Medford employees are switched over to Oregon Teamsters Employees Trust package, which does not include health care benefits for retirees. September 2005 — Ron Doyle files tort claim against the city, saying the city is breaking state law by denying health insurance to retirees; eight similar claims subsequently are filed by other retirees. November 2005 — Doyle told the City Council it should fire or request the resignation of City Manager Mike Dyal. Dec. 15 — City Council holds closed session to discuss complaints about retiree insurance and the city manager. Jan. 5 — After another closed session, the council agrees to allow Springfield attorney Robert E. Franz Jr. to represent the city. The city’s liability insurance company hired him. Jan. 19 — Following a third closed session, the council decides to look into the following: getting retiree health insurance for current employees; having the City Council rather than the city manager hire and fire the city attorney; and changing the professional review process of the city manager. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker Custom Build Computers Computer Security Discount Hotel Reservations Casinos Canada dvd-r Generic Viagra Myspace Windermere Van Vleet Deep Muscle Stimulator Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Online Bingo Entertainment Guide Online Casino Fundraisers Student Loans Sudoku Online Advertisement s Advertisement