Published in the Courier News, Friday, June 2, 2006
Democrats propose pay cuts, more hours for state workers
By GREGORY J. VOLPE
Gannett State Bureau
TRENTON -- Three Democrats in the Legislature say they want to introduce state workers to the "real world," asking them to take less pay and benefits to help with the state's troubled fiscal situation.
Sen. Stephen Sweeney, D-Woodbury, along with Assemblymen Jerry Green, D-Plainfield, and Paul Moriarty, D-Turnersville, unleashed a series of proposals Thursday to curb spending on state workers, which sparked immediate outcry from labor groups.
For this year's budget, they asked Gov. Jon S. Corzine and labor unions to agree to cut 15 percent from the $4.6 billion spent on employee salaries and benefits, as an alternative to the proposed one-cent increase to the sales tax.
"If we just strictly do a tax this year, we will be back next year talking about another tax," Sweeney said.
The governor's office killed the idea.
"The budget is not the time or the place for contract negotiations," Corzine spokesman Anthony Coley said. "The governor inherited a contract, and he intends to honor it."
The proposal also had many long-term items aimed at salaries and benefits of state employees, including:
- Having a 40-hour work week, instead of 35 hours.datory employee contributions for benefits.
- No more accruing or buying back unused sick time.
- Raising the retirement age from 55 to 60.
- No pension or health benefits for part-timers.
- Man
The three lawmakers compared the state to a failing company and want unions to reduce benefits as they do when a private industry is in danger of bankruptcy.
"We have to shrink the government, instead of continuing to expand it," Moriarty said. "We have to go on a diet. We have to call in Jenny Craig and NutriSystem, and we got to put this government on a diet."
Donald B. Dileo, a lobbyist and political director of the state chapter of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, immediately challenged Sweeney on the 40-hour work week. He wouldn't comment on a 15-minute meeting he had with Sweeney after the announcement.
"There's going to be some personal attacks, but so be it," Sweeney said.
The rift between unions and Sweeney, an officer for the Iron Workers Local No. 399, started when the Communications Workers of America distributed fliers urging members to support the proposed sales tax by contacting Sweeney and several other legislators from South Jersey.
Unions also have run ads supporting Corzine's proposed budget because it calls for the largest contribution to the employee pension system in a decade, roughly 70 percent of the legally required payment.
Robert Regan, treasurer of CWA Local 1037, wasn't pleased with the proposals.
"A contract is a contract, and some of the proposals I saw up there are in violation of our contract," Regan said.
Republicans praised the Democrats' rhetorical attempt to curb salaries and benefits.
"It's nice to see (them) doing what they're doing, but they're not the leaders," said Assemblyman Richard Merkt, R-Mendham Township. "We need the Senate president and Assembly speaker to take the lead on this issue and post the bills."
Assembly Speaker Joseph J. Roberts Jr. and Senate President Richard J. Codey issued separate statements saying they would review the proposals as potential cost-savers.
"There needs to be a balance between the needs of our hardworking employees and the needs of our hardworking taxpayers, taking into account that we must honor existing contracts," Codey said.
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BY THE NUMBERS
A glance at some of the data, comparing what was described as average workers in state government and the private sector, a group of Democratic lawmakers compiled in urging a 15 percent rollback in spending on employee salaries and benefits.
Topic ... Government world ... "Real world"Source: Sen. Stephen Sweeney, Assm. Jerry Green, Assm. Paul Moriarty
Work week ... 35 hours ... 40 hours
Salary and benefits ... $70,000 ... $50,000
Paid vacation ... 5 weeks ... 2 to 3 weeks
Paid holidays ... 17 days ... 8 days
Paid sick days ... 15 days ... 7 days
Retirement age ... 55 ... 65
http://www.c-n.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060602/NEWS/606020308
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