Opinion ID: 1725021
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 11

Heading: on applications for rehearing

Text: PER CURIAM. The City Council of the City of New Orleans has applied for a rehearing herein contending Acts 55 and 57 of the Extra Session of 1968, should be declared null retroactively. It is suggested that subject statutes should be voided retroactively to preclude payment of any benefits thereunder which were not actually paid prior to January 21, 1974, the date of the original decree herein. It is suggested that longevity rights accrued under Act 55, and not actually implemented or enforced prior to January 21, 1974, should be abrogated and denied. Firefighters have filed an Application for Rehearing and Request for Clarification and Per Curiam Decision. This application does not question our declaration of unconstitutionality of the statutes involved. It seeks clarification of our initial decree. Firefighters note that our original opinion provides that all rights vested pursuant to the prior judgments are retained and preserved until January 21, 1974. However, Firefighters observe that our decree leaves doubt regarding the mechanics of enforcement of those rights and interests after January 21, 1974, inasmuch as the City has not yet complied with the judgment in the prior action involving longevity pay for Firemen. It is further suggested that unless the Court's position is made absolutely clear, additional litigation may be required to resolve the uncertainties noted. The Civil Service Commission of the City of New Orleans opposes both applications. The Commission maintains that the judgment merely holds that benefits actually paid pursuant to the stricken statutes were not retroactively null. This interpretation, according to the Commission, precludes enforcement of longevity rights pursuant to Act 55 which, if allowed, would result in gross injustice by favoring Firemen over other municipal employees. The Commission argues that the decision holds that any accrued benefits not actually received, or any longevity pay or other longevity rights or benefits not actually paid or enforced before January 21, 1974, are foreclosed under our declaration of nullity. We pretermit consideration of the procedural issue raised by Firefighters respecting the City's right to apply for a rehearing. Assuming, arguendo, the City may properly apply for a rehearing herein, we find all arguments in support thereof were considered and disposed of in our original opinion. We disagree with the interpretation placed on our initial decree by the Commission. We intended therein to retain and preserve for Firemen and Firefighters all rights, privileges and benefits arising under Acts 55 and 57 of the Extra Session of 1968, by virtue of the judgments rendered in Firefighters I, II and III. We further intended that all such rights remain vested in Firefighters, and all sums due and owing as ultimately determined, and which were not paid, may be paid subsequent to January 21, 1974. We further intended that all longevity pay, rights, credits and benefits accrued, but not actually paid or enforced before January 21, 1974, could be paid or enforced thereafter. Finally, we intended that Acts 55 and 57 of 1968 be inoperative and confer no rights after January 21, 1974. The applications for rehearing are denied. MARCUS, J., recused.