Historic Detail — The 6% "PERS pickup" happened in 1979.  Many state employee bargaining contracts had a Cost-of-Living index on them.  But in 1979, the inflation rate was 18%.  To save the state money, the employees agreed to having the public employer "pick up" the 6% contribution (to match the previous 6% employer share) and thereby SAVE the state 12% of a Cost of Living adjustment.  Now of course, critics say employees "aren't even paying for their own retirement."  What was a GIFT to the State of Oregon, taking 6% instead of the contracted 18% that year, is now seen as "cheating."  
   It really comes down to having a retirement plan still in place when most big businesses have been able to "get rid" of those things for their workers so as to get more money for the "Golden Parachutes" for top management.
    I know one employee of a large local firm who was fired the week before he was to retire, after 45 years with the company.  Should THAT be "reformed"?