Do a one-year deal with state unions
The only three public officials in New Jersey who really matter - the governor, Senate president and Assembly speaker - have decided that reforming the benefits of the more than 500,000 government workers in this state might jeopardize the ongoing negotiations with the state employee unions, who represent less than 20 percent of the public employee workforce. That decision will essentially gut the reforms proposed by a special legislative committee.
The best way to minimize the damage is for Gov. Corzine to negotiate a one-year deal with the unions, instead of the usual three or four. That way, if he gives away the store, lawmakers - all of whom are up for re-election next year - can do legislatively what he failed to do through collective bargaining.
Senate President Richard Codey and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. didn't have to agree to Corzine's request to back off on the proposed pension and health care reforms. Their decision to do so does not free them of their obligation to bring about significant reform - not only as it relates to state workers but to teachers, police and firemen, and local and county workers.
If Corzine doesn't get a deal with the unions that mirrors what the legislative committee suggested, it's on Codey and Roberts as well. To cover their own backsides, they should insist that Corzine do a one-year deal with the unions. If he doesn't agree, they should move on the original reforms. If they don't, taxpayers should take to the streets, en masse, in Trenton.
Think the one-year contract is a good idea? Urge your legislators to put pressure on Corzine to make it happen. Click here for a list of your local legislators' e-mail addresses and phone numbers: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/OPINION/60530007
The best way to minimize the damage is for Gov. Corzine to negotiate a one-year deal with the unions, instead of the usual three or four. That way, if he gives away the store, lawmakers - all of whom are up for re-election next year - can do legislatively what he failed to do through collective bargaining.
Senate President Richard Codey and Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. didn't have to agree to Corzine's request to back off on the proposed pension and health care reforms. Their decision to do so does not free them of their obligation to bring about significant reform - not only as it relates to state workers but to teachers, police and firemen, and local and county workers.
If Corzine doesn't get a deal with the unions that mirrors what the legislative committee suggested, it's on Codey and Roberts as well. To cover their own backsides, they should insist that Corzine do a one-year deal with the unions. If he doesn't agree, they should move on the original reforms. If they don't, taxpayers should take to the streets, en masse, in Trenton.
Think the one-year contract is a good idea? Urge your legislators to put pressure on Corzine to make it happen. Click here for a list of your local legislators' e-mail addresses and phone numbers: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/OPINION/60530007
posted by Randy Bergmann at 10:49 AM
2 Comments:
that's a silly idea. no one will agree to a one year contract.
Although once a native of New Jersey, now in exile in the midwestern slum of Ohio, experience with unions tends to be universal.
It's a matter of socialism, Mr. Bergmann, and unions beget more problems than they solve.
Best option. Dissolve all unions, especially those under the state's umbrellas of legislative corruption and meretriciousness, for the amelioration of the state and its citizenry.
Fair competition, away from the perfidy of career politicians, is the better option.
But then again, I'm younger than you, so I may be remiss in my perspective.
Abyssus abyssum invocat - Hell calls hell; one mistep leads to another.
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