NJEA gearing up for "Back-off" rally

The unions will be out in full force over the next few weeks trying to convince legislators that they will pay the price in next year's election if they support the pension and other benefit reforms proposed by a legislative committee.

In the latest NJEA Reporter, there are several articles explaining how the reforms would affect members and what steps members should take to convince their legislators to vote against the proposals. In addition to encouraging members to attend the rallies planned for Trenton, they are asking them to become a "two-minute activist." They have printed the names and phone numbers of every legislator in the state and are encouraging members to call them. One article provides the talking points:

"Tell your legislators that you:

- Oppose tiering of pensions and benefits.

- Oppose premium sharing on health care.

- Oppose the repeal of a nonforfeitable right to a secure pension.

- Oppose state-mandates that undermine collective bargaining.

- Oppose restrictive caps on school funding."

If you want to see the reforms implemented, start dialing your legislators yourself. Click here for their phone numbers (and e-mail addresses): http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/OPINION/60530007