Greetings:

Thanks for all the advice. I've taken all the good-faith suggestions seriously, and along with the advice of my family, my coworkers, my friends, my district union rep (also a friend and coworker), and my accountant. Here's what I've decided to do:

1. If I'm offered one of the $105k suit-and-tie jobs, I'll take it. Since it would a provisional (interim acting) position, I would be under no obligation to stay with it if I find myself unhappy. Nor would the city be under any obligation to keep me if they're unhappy. In either case I would retire with a fatter pension than I get now. The longer I stay, the fatter it gets, but even if I work for only a day, I'm no worse off than if I don't take the job.

Of course, I might not be offered one of those jobs. The deadline for filing applications was last Thursday (5/15/03), and people starting being called for interviews the very next day. Others got "Thanks, but no thanks" e-mails. I got neither, which means to me I'm still in the running, but not a first round pick.

2. If I am not offered one of those jobs -- meaning if I am offered anything less or if I have to revert to my old job -- I will retire. I have already consulted with a pension advisor, set up a roll-over IRA (individual retirement account, not Irish Republican Army), and filled out all the papers. I've had them notarized, and all I have to do is hand them in at least one day ahead of my retirement date.

3. I've started to call up people I know throughout the system to see if they can set aside hours in their budgets for me to work on a part-time basis. The new fiscal year begins July 1. So far one person said he can put 24 hours aside for what are called compliance and staff development. Another said I could cover the job of a woman, whom I now supervise, who will be out on maternity leave for 6 to 8 weeks in the fall. It's more than a trifle ironic, because the mommy-to-be is the person who replaced me when I moved up to become a supervisor in 1999.

4. We're staying put here in New York City, at least as long as Marilyn keeps working. Unlike me, she does not have a defined benefits pension. Hers is entirely in the form of a "403b" tax sheltered annuity, and her retirement income will be tied in whole to interest rates. Welcome to the 21st Century America! In her case, she'll work full-time to age 62, which means 5 more years.

5. Since I'm not reverting to a lower paid position, nor accepting what is essentially my current job under a new title, I have no cause for legal action against the City of New York. And even if I did take one of those options, I would let my union lawyers make the case on behalf of all of us. That's one of the reasons I pay dues.

Once again, thanks. There is no need to continue this thread on for my benefit. On the other hand, BS is BS, so I wouldn't be surprised if it continues anyway. But I'm signing off for now.

--- Steve