WPRO News and the Associated Press
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Several unions are asking the state Supreme Court to delay the trial over the 2011 overhaul of Rhode Island’s public pension system.
Unions representing public employees, teachers and firefighters across several cities and towns asked the court Monday to vacate a lower court’s denial of a continuance.
Lawyers for retirees suing the state asked the court Friday to postpone the April 20 trial date.
Supreme Court Justice Francis X. Flaherty is meeting with the lawyers Monday afternoon. His decision would be temporary until the full court considers the matter.
No decision is expected Monday.
The lawsuit challenges higher retirement ages and cuts to cost-of-living increases designed to save Rhode Island billions.
The state’s lawyers initially requested more time to prepare. The plaintiffs agreed to a delay but didn’t all support the timeline the state suggested.
