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University of Idaho Issues Statement on Summary Judgment Filing in Retiree Benefits Case
Aug. 28, 2009
MOSCOW, Idaho – The University of Idaho filed papers today asking the Latah County District Court to rule in its favor in a class action filed by former employees who enrolled in early retirement programs in 1999 and 2002.
The university issued the following statement about its motion for summary judgment:
"The University of Idaho contends that it has always retained – and still does have – the right to revise its employment benefits, and benefits programs for its retirees. All university retirees – early or other otherwise – knew, based upon documents they were given before retirement, that the university retained the right in the future to either reduce benefits or increase the costs of the benefits. To put it plainly, the terms of the early retirement agreements were clearly stated and cannot be changed by retirees after the fact. In the documents filed with the court today, the university provided examples of several Idaho cases stating that written agreements cannot be changed after the fact, and also provided examples from numerous other states where courts agreed with our same position on employee and retiree benefits. Based upon this and other information, the university has asked the court to dismiss the class action and enter a judgment in favor of the university."
Earlier, the university agreed with the retirees' lawyer that the case should proceed as a class action. Under that status, if the court does make its ruling in favor of the university, the issue will be resolved. Resolution at this stage will give retirees and the university a uniformly binding decision on the issues raised by the complaint.
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About the University of Idaho
Founded in 1889, the University of Idaho is the state’s flagship higher-education institution and its principal graduate education and research university, bringing insight and innovation to the state, the nation and the world. University researchers attract nearly $100 million in research grants and contracts each year; the University of Idaho is the only institution in the state to earn the prestigious Carnegie Foundation ranking for high research activity. The university’s student population includes first-generation college students and ethnically diverse scholars. Offering more than 130 degree options in 10 colleges, the university combines the strengths of a large university with the intimacy of small learning communities. For information, visit www.uidaho.edu.
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