As reported by nj.com, two of the most prominent Democrats in the state legislature-both labor leaders-lost the support of a major union coalition Thursday, spelling possible trouble for their November reelection fights. The statewide AFL-CIO, representing 30 unions of public and private-industry members, voted in the annual endorsement conference not to support Senate President
benefit reform
NJ Judge Files Lawsuit Against New Pension And Health Benefits Increases For Public Workers
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, New Jersey’s public worker pension and health benefits increases should be revoked for state judges because they unconstitutionally slash their salaries and undermine judicial independence, a state Superior Court judge claims in a lawsuit filed Thursday.
The complaint, filed by Superior Court Judge Paul DePascale, who sits in Hudson …
Gov. Christie Signs NJ Public Worker Pension and Healthcare Overhaul Bill
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie signed into law controversial legislation that will force public employees to pay more for their pension and health insurance. Christie, who signed the bill flanked by a bipartisan cast of mayors, said passage of the bill is his biggest legislative victory since taking office.
“It is an …
NJ Assembly Passes Landmark Employee Benefits Overhaul
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, New Jersey lawmakers voted to enact a sweeping plan to cut public worker benefits after a long day of high-pitched political drama in the streets of Trenton and behind closed doors. Union members chanted outside the Statehouse and in the Assembly balcony, and dissident Democrats tried to stall with …
NJ Public Workers To Stage Large Protest Over Pension And Healthcare Reform
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, New Jersey’s battle over benefits could hit a fever pitch today. Thousands of public workers are expected to stage what leaders vow will be their biggest Statehouse protest yet over a controversial bill to force them to pay more for health insurance and pensions. The bill is up for final passage …
Effort to Cut NJ Public Workers Benefits Advances Despite Opposition
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, fierce opposition could not stop the Senate from passing a contentious measure Monday that will sharply raise the cost of health benefits and pensions for the state’s 500,000 public employees. With protesters dressed in Revolutionary-era garb gathered outside the Statehouse and union members clamoring inside, the pivotal Senate vote …
NJ Senate Committee Approves Health, Pension Benefit Reform Despite Union Protests
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, irate public employees converged on the Statehouse by the thousands Thursday touting horns, carrying signs, and disrupting a Senate hearing, but the show of force failed to break a legislative agreement overhauling their state health and pension benefits. Union members gathered at the Statehouse steps and clogged a Senate hearing …
Some Democrats Tell Protesters They Will Not Vote For Public Worker Pension, Benefit Overhaul
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, rank-and-file Democrats are lining up to take the microphone at a steadily growing union rally outside the Statehouse today, vowing to cast no votes on a bill that would overhaul pension and benefits for teachers, cops, firefighters, and others.
Assemblymen Wayne DeAngelo, Daniel Benson, Patrick Diegnan, Reed Gusciora, Vincent …
Public Employees With 20 Years of Service Would Lock In Benefits Under Change to Proposed Plan
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, employees with at least 20 years of service would lock in their retirement benefits under a last-minute change to the health and pension overhaul bill, according to Senate Democrats.
Under the current bill, only those employees with at least 25 years of service would have had their retirement benefits …
Overhaul To Pension System Pushed Forward By Sweeney
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, despite a rising chorus of opposition from fellow Democrats, the Senate President and Assembly Speaker pressed forward Tuesday to overhaul health and pension benefits for the state’s 500,000 public employees. After trying for a week to line up Democratic support for the measure with little success, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver…