Want to Never See a Raise Again?

On May 10, Governor Christie unleashed a series of proposals to attack public sector unions in New Jersey, which he called his “Toolkit” for reform. There are 33 proposals in the package. 

Toolkit proposal 5 caps the increase in economic award from one collective bargaining contract to the next at 2.5% for all public employees, regardless of job title, Civil Service stature, craft or current salary. It would also require DCA approval of all public employee contracts, and it would prohibit approval if contracts contain things like no-privatization clauses. It exists in legislative form as A3075 in the Assembly and S2171 in the Senate.

Think this can’t affect you? Medical inflation is expected to be in the 7% range for the foreseeable future. If a 2.5% cap is in place, you’re automatically looking at increased health contributions, salary give-backs, or layoffs before you even sit down at the bargaining table, and regardless of the economic climate. On top of that, inflation is historically more than 3% a year. If your compensation cannot increase more than 2.5%, the value of your compensation will be less every year you are a public employee.

And it's real.  governor Chrsitie has said he wants these bills signed and on his desk by the end of next month, and both the Assembly and the Senate have scheduled voting sessions for September

Get Involved!  Contact your legislators and tell them to oppose A3075 and S2171.  For a guide on finding your legislators, click here.