As reported by nj.com, leaders of New Jersey’s public workers unions said they will launch a full court press against a bill sponsored by Senate President Stephen Sweeney that would force public employees to pay more for their health care benefits. The unions have called the bill an attempt to throw out collective
Governor Christie
NJEA President Accuses Gov. Christie of Trying to Start a “Middle-Class Civil War”
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
As reported by nj.com, the President of the state’s largest teachers union accused Governor Chris Christie of trying to foment a civil war within the middle-class. “All of New Jersey’s middle-class is hurting, but this governor and his right-wing supporters are trying to start a middle-class civil war,” said New Jersey Education Association President …
Gov. Begins Budget War in West Deptford
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie began a town hall push to press lawmakers to make state employees pay more for benefits or be blamed for scotching property tax relief. The first meeting took place on February 24, 2011 in West Deptford, the hometown of Senate President Stephen Sweeney.
Speaking to a …
Gov. Christie Goes After State Worker Benefits to Fund Tax Cuts & Credits
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
As reported on trentonian.com, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie held fast to his national reputation for fiscal discipline amid the widespread financial crisis that has hit the United States, unveiling a $29.4 billion state budget that calls for heftier contributions from state workers for pension and health care benefits.
Christie proposes paying $500 …
NJ Public Unions to Rally in Support of Wisconsin Workers
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Public Employment Labor Law
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 …
Governor Christie’s Next Fight Is With State Workers As Contracts Come Up For Renewal
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Contract Negotiations
As reported by nj.com, with contracts for 49,000 state workers due to expire this June, Governor Chris Christie has publicly proclaimed he wants no pay raises and expects state workers to fork over much more for health and pension benefits. Union leaders say they have had no meetings with the governor’s office and …
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 …
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 …
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 …
Democratic Leaders Propose Cap on Police and Fire Raises
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Interest Arbitration
As reported on November 23, 2010, New Jersey’s Democratic leaders announced they are offering compromise legislation to Republican Governor Chris Christie that would allow pay hikes for police and firefighters achieved through arbitration to exceed two (2) percent for a year, as long as they remain within two (2) percent over the period of …