As reported by nj.com, the largest state employee unions in New Jersey are organizing a rally at the Statehouse on February 25, 2011 to express support for workers rallying in Wisconsin. The Communication Workers of America, which represents most of the state’s employees, will participate in the rally and National AFL-CIO President Richard
Public Employment Labor Law
Senator Sweeney to Unveil Bill Requiring State Employees to Contribute More for Medical Benefits
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
As reported by nj.com, Senate President Stephen Sweeney will unveil a plan that aims to slash the State’s huge medical costs by requiring public employees to kick in significantly more to health benefits, according to three officials familiar with the proposal.
The Sweeney plan shares much common ground with Governor Chris Christie’s reform …
Democrats Fight Gov. Christie’s Plan to Privatize NJ Government Functions
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
As reported by nj.com, Democrats are pushing back against Gov. Chris Christie’s plan to privatize some state government functions by calling for a change in the state constitution to put a short leash on agencies that want to hire private firms.
Under a plan discussed in the Assembly State Government Committee, state …
Pension Gap Drops NJ’s Bond Ratings
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
As reported by app.com, New Jersey’s credit rating was downgraded by a major Wall Street rating agency, whose concerns over state debt and obligations for public retirees’ benefits now mean higher costs for the state to borrow money. Standard & Poor’s moved New Jersey’s bond rating down a notch to its fourth highest …
NJ Republican Propose Pension Reform Legislation
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
As reported by nj.com on February 8, 2011, Governor Christie’s plan to drastically change the State’s troubled pension system was introduced by Republican lawmakers on February 7, 2011, but Democrats who control the Legislature indicated they will push their own plan instead.
Assemblymen Declan O’Scanlon and Gary Chiusano sponsored Christie’s proposals in …
Police, Firefighters to Address NJ Senate On How Layoffs Are Affecting Public Safety
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
As reported by nj.com on February 7, 2011, lawmakers in the New Jersey Senate will hear from police and firefighters about how layoffs are impacting public safety.
The Senate Law and Public Safety Committee has invited several speakers to address a recent spike in violent crime. The hearing scheduled for February 7, 2011 will …
Newark: Drop in Arrests, Summonses At End of Year
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
As reported by nj.com on February 7, 2011, Newark police have made nearly half as many arrests, issued fewer summonses and conducted fewer inquiries in the second half of 2010 than in the same period the previous year, a decline some law enforcement officials say was tied to hostile layoff negotiations.
A public and …
Christie Turns Down Bill to Overhaul Civil Service System
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
As reported by nj.com on February 4, 2011, the effort to reform the State of New Jersey’s civil service system stalled as Governor Chris Christie conditionally vetoed a bill to overhaul the system and Democratic legislative leaders declared they will not agree to his proposed changes.
Christie called the Democrats’ bill “tepid, ineffective …
Court Rules Healthcare Contribution Legislation is Valid
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
On January 20, 2011, a New Jersey Superior Court Judge rejected an attempt by various public employee unions to overturn pension changes for new government employees enacted early last year. The laws challenged required new employees to pay 1.5 percent of their salaries toward current health benefits and 1.5 percent of their pensions after …
Christie Seeks to Propose Increase in Healthcare Contributions for Public Employees
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
As reported by nj.com on January 13, 2011, Governor Chris Christie proposed significantly higher health insurance premiums for hundreds of thousands of public workers in New Jersey, saying overly generous benefits are threatening to bankrupt the system.
Christie told a town hall audience in Bergen County that state and local workers, teachers, police, and …