This is just the tip of the iceberg defining the "crony" relationships between public employees, their unions, and elected politicians.  The practice is extensive, and has corrupted the ethics of all public servants, including those who have a calling to serve.  Many public employees approaching retirement age, as one example, are promoted to take advantage of the "high 3" year earnings on which retirement is calculated.  Some even claim disability to acquire "disability" benefits.  The silence maintained over these practices is morally deadening.  They co-opt the ethics of other professionals - physicians, and other gate-keepers to benefits.  And forget about the ethics of elected officials.....