Protect Our Pensions.

Respect the Charter.

Honor Our Service.

What’s Happening?

The City of Los Angeles is attempting to transfer more than 1,000 City employees to the Department of Water and Power (DWP)—but here’s the catch: they’re allowing these employees to collect a full LACERS pension while earning a full DWP salary.

This is known as “double-dipping,” and it violates the City Charter, undermines collective bargaining agreements, and puts the Water and Power Employees Retirement Plan (WPERP) at serious financial risk.

Our Demands:

STOP the double-dipping.

RESPECT the City Charter.

HONOR the service of DWP retirees and workers.

PROTECT the WPERP pension fund.

Take Action Now

We are asking you to send a letter to Mayor Karen Bass and the Los Angeles City Council. Tell them to STOP the double-dipping. Tell them to RESPECT the Charter and HONOR your service.

This isn’t just a legal fight. It’s about fairness. It’s about protecting what you’ve earned. And it’s about stopping an outrageous abuse of taxpayer and ratepayer money.

Fill our the form below, and we will make sure that your voice is heard.

FAQ

What is “double-dipping”?

Double-dipping occurs when a person receives a full City pension while also being paid a full City salary. In this case, the City wants to allow LACERS retirees to draw their pensions while working full-time at DWP—a clear violation of the City Charter.

Why is this a problem?

  • It violates Section 1164(a) of the City Charter, which prohibits this practice.

  • It puts tens of millions of dollars at risk in the DWP pension system (WPERP).

  • It disrespects the service of long-time DWP workers and retirees who relied on the City to follow the law.

  • It undermines trust and fiscal responsibility in City governance.

Didn’t the City Attorney already rule against this?

Yes. In 2005, the City Attorney confirmed that the Charter prohibits such arrangements. Suddenly, in late 2023, the City Attorney reversed this position—without public explanation or justification, and claimed the Charter does not apply to DWP jobs in this context. That’s not just wrong—it’s dangerous.

What is IBEW Local 18 doing about it?

Local 18 has:

  • Filed a lawsuit to stop this illegal policy.

  • Filed unfair labor practice charges with the City Employee Relations Board.

  • Launched a campaign to rally retirees, members, and the public to demand action from the Mayor and City Council.

Who will pay for this?

You will.
Every taxpayer and ratepayer in Los Angeles will be on the hook for rising costs at the expense of the retirement system DWP workers spent decades building.

What can I do to help?

  • Send a letter to Mayor Bass and the City Council using our one-click tool kit.

  • Call or email your City Councilmember directly and urge them to stop the double-dipping.

  • Spread the word to fellow retirees, coworkers, and members. This is your retirement at stake!