>After NJEA, Christie’s next fight is with state workers as contracts come up for renewal
By Ginger Gibson/Statehouse Bureau
TRENTON — When Gov. Chris Christie went to war with the teachers union last year, leaders of unions representing New Jersey state workers nervously watched in the wings.
Now it’s their turn to go toe-to-toe with the governor.
With contracts for 49,000 state workers due to expire this June, Christie has publicly proclaimed he wants no pay raises and expects state workers to fork over much more for health and pension benefits. Union leaders say they have had no meetings with the governor’s office and worry this doesn’t bode well for getting a deal before the current contracts are up.
“It’s going to be pretty ugly,” said Jeff Keefe, a labor professor at Rutgers University. “I’m not sure we’re going to be well-served by what comes out of it. I wouldn’t be surprised if in September we’re still in negotiations.”
https://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/02/next_fight_contracts_for_state.html
