DeCROCE SAYS TAXPAYERS WILL PAY FOR CWA AGREEMENT FOR YEARS TO COME

DeCROCE SAYS TAXPAYERS WILL PAY FOR CWA AGREEMENT FOR YEARS TO COME  

Assembly Republican Leader Alex DeCroce said yesterday’s ratification by the Communication Workers of America (CWA) of a new agreement with the state will bring more pain to the overtaxed middle class who will eventually have to pay for the deal negotiated by Governor Jon Corzine.

“Although the governor crows about ‘saving’ over $300 million with this agreement, he conveniently forgets to mention that taxpayers will be paying for it with interest a year from now,” said DeCroce, R-Morris and Passaic.

“Taxpayers will have to pick up the bill for the seven bankable paid time off days given workers and the cost of temporary workers who will become part of the union.”

DeCroce said this union “deal” is no deal for the taxpayers and is just another one-shot gimmick he used to balance the 2010 budget.

“His ‘continuing effort to secure savings’ will last but one year, and then, in Corzine-like fashion, the middle class will be left to pay for the long-term costs.  He always seems to have a memory lapse when talking about the future.

“Governor Corzine fumbled the opportunity to deliver sustainable cost savings to the public by reducing the government payroll, but as usual, he caved in to pressure by the CWA,” continued DeCroce.  “I also question whether it is even legal for the state to include a no-layoff clause in the new deal, which will hamstring the future governor.”

Media reports also indicate one union official said that 600 of her members were not given personal identification numbers to cast a ballot, raising the question of election irregularities and possible voter intimidation.

“This costly deal was conveniently made just before Vice President Joe Biden visited New Jersey and wouldn’t cross a CWA picket line,” said DeCroce.  “With the news that President Obama will visit the state on July 16, I can only wonder what that will cost taxpayers.  Everyone should be prepared to safeguard their wallets.” ###