O'SCANLON AND CASAGRANDE: CORZINE SCORES WITH UNIONS, LEAVES TAXPAYERS TO PICK UP THE TAB

Assembly Republican members Declan O’Scanlon and Caroline Casagrande today suggested Governor Jon Corzine take a remedial class in contract negotiations after he again gave in to the largest state worker union on wage freezes and furlough programs.

Following months of political rhetoric, including a successful legal battle, in which the governor insisted state workers take 14 furlough days and an 18-month wage freeze to close budget deficits, Governor Corzine on Tuesday struck a backroom deal with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union which O’Scanlon and Casagrande noted is a “sweeter deal” than its previous contract.

“It’s a desperate political move by a desperate governor seeking re-election whose approval ratings have continually been tanking,” stated O’Scanlon, a member of the Assembly Budget Committee. “In an effort to regain the support of the state’s labor unions to bolster his campaign, Governor Corzine willingly raised the white flag of surrender. In doing so, he has dealt another devastating blow to middle class taxpayers. He has again betrayed their trust.”

“Governor Corzine’s politics of appeasement in pandering to special interests is appalling,” said Casagrande, R-Monmouth and Mercer. “He went to court to win the right to impose furloughs, then he turns around and gives that authority away. His actions not only tie his hands with the unions going forward, but those of his successor should he lose in November.

“This governor lacks vision,” she continued. “He governs in the moment, not caring about future consequences. For now, with an election looming on the horizon, this is a win-win deal for Corzine and the unions, but it’s the taxpayers who will be left to pick up the tab.”

According to media reports today, the CWA’s new contract reduces the number of unpaid furlough days workers must take, guarantees no lay offs until January 2011 and no additional furlough days before 2011, defers a 3.5 percent pay raise due July 1, 2009 until 2011, but workers due to receive increment raises in July 2010 will receives those increases, and provides workers with seven bankable personal days they can use after July 2010. If they don’t use the days, workers can cash them out when they leave or retire.

The Corzine Administration also agreed to rescind plans to close the Department of Children and Families’ regional day schools, replace Department of Transportation contractors with state employees, and, if any workers are laid off before January 2011, all state workers will immediately receive the deferred pay increase and all remaining furloughs will be cancelled.

NJ.com on Tuesday reported that the administration’s spur of the moment agreement with the CWA was made to stop Vice President Joe Biden from cancelling his appearance at Corzine’s election campaign kickoff because of his pro-labor support and unwillingness to cross a picket line.

“I can't think of a worse motivation for a contract settlement than to ensure a smooth political event!” said O'Scanlon. “If the governor has the guts he likes to suggest he has - and that he's going to spend millions over the next few months trying to get  us to believe he has - then he should have stuck to his guns, even if that meant telling Biden to stay home.

“This new contract it totally irresponsible. It may help Governor Corzine get through this year’s budget – and election – but like many of his other one-shot maneuvers, it will only increase the burden on our taxpayers,” he continued. “He’s selling out our middle class’ long-term interests for personal, short-term political gain.”

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