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Martinez Sewer Worker Cashes In $145K In Sick Pay

MARTINEZ (CBS/AP) -- It seems working with Martinez sewage isn't sickening.

Central Contra Costa Sanitary District sewage engineer Alan Grieb cashed in 2,138 hours of unused sick time when he retired last year, adding about $145,000 to his final paycheck.

The Contra Costa Times reported the district also counted most of that check toward Grieb's pension.

And the banked sick days were counted as time he technically worked, adding more than a year to his 31-year career.

Those perks combined to bump up Grieb's pension checks by another $800 a month for life.

District general manager Ann Farrell, who was negotiating with unions to rein in sick time payouts, describes Contra Costa County as the poster child for pension spiking.

(Copyright 2012 by CBS San Francisco. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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