[Vision2020] University of Idaho's Retirees Lawsuit Settlement Could Get Go Ahead Today

[Tom Hansen]

Courtesy of today's (July 8, 2010) Moscow-Pullman Daily News.

 

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University of Idaho's retirees lawsuit settlement could get go ahead today

Deal with university needs judge's final approval

By Holly Bowen Daily News staff writer

 

The University of Idaho and a group of its retirees who have sparred for two
years over altered medical and life insurance benefits will meet in court
again today for what representatives of both parties hope will be the final
time.

 

Second District Judge Jeff Brudie will consider a proposed settlement
between the two groups at 2 p.m. today at the Latah County Courthouse in
Moscow. Judge John Stegner, who had previously ruled in the UI's favor in
the case, voluntarily recused himself from the settlement proceedings June
2, according to court records.

 

The 268 former UI employees filed a class-action lawsuit against the
university after it followed the recommendations of a 2007 cost-cutting task
force and changed their medical and life insurance benefits. The former
employees had retired after accepting early retirement buyout agreements
from the UI in 1998 and 2002, respectively.

 

The tentative settlement states the UI will not increase the retirees'
health insurance premiums by more than 10 percent per year, and their life
insurance benefits will not drop below the current $10,000 each. The
retirees and their representatives will also be excused from paying the UI's
court and attorney fees totaling about $100,000, if Brudie approves the
settlement.

 

The Idaho State Board of Education would have to declare a financial
emergency before it or the UI could modify the terms of the agreement, the
proposed settlement states.

 

The settlement terms restrict both parties and their attorneys - Ron Landeck
for the retirees and Bruce Rubin for the UI - from publicly commenting on
the settlement outside of a press release.

 

A press release, printed on UI letterhead and on file at the Latah County
Courthouse, had already been written on Wednesday as if assuming Brudie will
approve the settlement today. The release includes two direct quotes in
support of the settlement that as of Wednesday afternoon were not attributed
to specific people.

 

"According to (blank space), one of the class representatives, 'This has not
been an easy decision to make. However, we are convinced that, under all the
circumstances, it is the best for both retirees and the university to bring
this case to a mutually acceptable conclusion,' " one quote states.

 

The other direct quote in the release states, "University spokesperson
(blank space) joined in praising the settlement. 'The university values the
contributions of all its retirees and is pleased that the litigation has
been brought to an ending everyone supports.' "

 

It is unclear who made either statement, but the settlement won't be
official until it receives Brudie's stamp of approval.

 

Retiree representatives Wileen Anderson, Joyce Presby, Arthur Smith and
Harvey Neese sent a letter to their peers explaining they are seeking
approval of the settlement because they "lack adequate resources to pursue
the matter further" and cannot be sure an appeals court would overturn
Stegner's decision.

 

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Seeya round town, Moscow.

 

Tom Hansen

Mosdow, Idaho

 

"The Pessimist complains about the wind, the Optimist expects it to change
and the Realist adjusts his sails." 

 

- Unknown 

 

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