As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie and Senate President Stephen Sweeney were poised to announce an agreement on a plan to overhaul health and pension benefits for public employees, but were stymied after the compromise received a chilly reception in the Assembly. “We are not there yet,” said Speaker Sheila Oliver, who
health benefits
NJ Public Workers Continue to Retire At Record Rate
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, for the second year in a row, public employees across New Jersey are retiring at a record rate, state figures show. Nearly 15,000 public workers are expected to retire from January through the end of July, a slight increase from the same period last year, when a record number of …
Christie Seeks to Change Health Benefits of Workers Through Collective Bargaining
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, after asserting for months that state employee health benefits will be overhauled through legislation, Governor Chris Christie’s office is now seeking the changes through collective bargaining with the state’s largest employee union.
“He’s out of his cage!” read a memo to Communications Workers of America members obtained by …
Gov. Christie, CWA Begin Bargaining Over Health Benefits
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Contract Negotiations
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie began bargaining over health benefits for state employees this week, according to a memo sent out to members of the Communications Workers of America obtained by the Star-Ledger.
Christie has been adamant for months that he would obtain changes to employee health benefits through legislation. The new …
CWA Files Unfair Practice Charge Against Christie
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Contract Negotiations
As reported by app.com, New Jersey’s largest state worker union filed an unfair practice charge against Governor Chris Christie’s administration, saying the administration has so far refused to negotiate health care costs.
The Communication Workers of America filed the charge with the state Public Employment Relations Commission (“PERC”) on May 12, 2011. Union …
Few Assembly Democrats Support Sweeney’s Pension Overhaul Plan
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, with Senate President Stephen Sweeney set to rely on Republican votes to overhaul public employee benefits, the fate of the controversial plan may depend on whether Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver follows his lead.
Assembly Democrats met in private and few embraced the Senate President’s plan of combining sweeping changes …
Push is on to Reform NJ Pensions By End of June
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, despite slim Democratic support, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney is prepared to move forward with a plan to overhaul public employee pensions and health benefits before the end of next month. Sweeney has lined up a small group of Democratic senators who said they would be willing to join with …
Despite Layoffs, Cities Must Reimburse Unused Sick and Vacation Time to Retirees
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, last year, cities and towns across New Jersey were forced to lay off thousands of employees to cope with budget woes, while momentum for benefit reform in Trenton pushed a record number of public workers into retirement. In theory, the exodus of employees was supposed to make municipalities leaner and …
Christie Slams Alternative Proposal by CWA on Health Care Benefits
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Governor Chris Christie panned an alternative proposal by the State’s largest public employee union to overhaul health care benefits. “Their offer stinks,” Christie said at a press conference in Trenton. “It doesn’t save any money.”
Christie wants all state employees to pay for 30 percent of the cost of health …
Sweeney Plan for Healthcare Reform Gains Little Support Among Democrats
By Donald C. Barbati on
Posted in Uncategorized
As reported by nj.com, Senate President Stephen Sweeney’s plan to require public workers to kick in more for medical benefits is getting little support from his fellow Democrats. As Sweeney scrambles for votes, Senate Republicans say they favor Governor Chris Christie’s proposal, which a new non-partisan report predicts would save about 16 …