2011 June | American Federation of Teachers New Jersey, AFL-CIO

Governor Christie Signs Legislation Eliminating Public Employees’ Right to Bargain Over Health Insurance

June 29, 2011

On June 28, 2011 Governor Christie signed into law S-2937, which eliminates the ability for public employees to bargain health care, as well as significantly increases employee contributions for pension and health insurance benefits.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is strongly opposed to the law which strips 500,000 public employees of their fundamental collective bargaining rights. Only through collective bargaining do workers have a voice. This law silences that voice, and puts collective bargaining rights for all New Jersey workers at risk.

Through collective bargaining, the labor movement laid the foundation for America’s prosperity. Collective bargaining is a fundamental right of all workers that is recognized in the United Nations charter. We should be moving forward on workers’ rights in New Jersey, not moving backward with legislation such as this.

How the Senate voted at Pension Benefits Vote Final Senate
See how the Assembly voted at Pension Benefits Vote Final Assembly

N.J. public workers aren’t the enemy – or the solution – in budget battle

June 27, 2011

Monday, June 27, 2011, 9:34 AM
Bob Braun/Star-Ledger Columnist

TRENTON — Sorry, but there were no “union thugs” on the streets of Trenton last week when the Legislature voted to impose thousands of dollars of new and unexpected costs on a half-million public workers and retirees. And, if the day brought a great political victory by Gov. Chris Christie over big, bad unions, it is likely to come at great cost to just plain people.

People like David Crowell, 70, who was there. A retired teacher from Newfield. He didn’t act thuggish at all. He acted scared.

“I don’t know what the future will be like,’’ said Crowell, who just lost his expected cost of living increases in his pension. His pension, when he’s 80, will be the same as it is today.

Kelly McNeal of Wayne was there, too. A former Peace Corps volunteer in Congo, she now teaches at William Paterson University. She was there with her daughters Ellie, 12, and Sophia, 8. She just lost $4,000 a year. “I didn’t expect that,” she says.

Read full article at http://blog.nj.com/njv_bob_braun/2011/06/braun_pension_overhaul_unfairl.html