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N.J. public employee unions file suit to overturn state changes in pension and health benefits
New Jersey public employee unions and individual active and retired members on Wednesday filed suit in federal court against the recently enacted pension and health benefit overhaul that affects 50,000 state and local public workers.
The lawsuit charges the state violated the federal and state constitutions by suspending cost of living adjustments for at least 30 years, failing to make full payments into the pension system for the last decade, and handing the administration of the benefits system to committees.
The plaintiffs include the New Jersey Education Association, the statewide teachers’ union, and the Communications Workers of America, the state’s largest public employee’s union, as well as police and firefighter unions.
“This lawsuit is about basic fairness and justice,” NJEA President Barbara Keshishian said. “Governor Christie and the Legislature passed a law which illegally takes away benefits that school employees and others have already earned through their service to the people of New Jersey. (Hester, New Jersey Newsroom)
