Unions to Sue Christie Over Pension Payment Shortfall

CWA joined more than a dozen public-sector unions in announcing on Tuesday that they will sue New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie to force him to obey the law and increase payments into the pension system.

"Gov. Christie flippantly said he wants to 'flip the script.' But this isn't a House of Cards script," said CWA New Jersey Director Hetty Rosenstein. "It's a legal obligation. And ignoring the law is what caused this very problem in the first place, which will never get fixed so long as Christie refuses to meet both his moral and legal responsibilities."

Last week, a state judge ruled that Christie broke the law when he cut $1.57 billion from a promised payment to public workers' pension system. The issue dates back to 2011, when Christie and state lawmakers increased workers' pension contributions, boosted the retirement age and slashed cost-of-living adjustments. In return, the state pledged to start making larger payments each year into the pension system to make up for years of skimping. But while workers held up their end of the deal, Christie backed out.

A day after the judge's ruling, in his state budget address, Christie announced his intention to continue violate the funding requirements of the 2011 law.

This lawsuit seeks to hold the governor accountable to follow the law he signed. This is the third consecutive budget in which Christie has violated the contractual rights of pensioners, putting at risk the retirement security of our members.

To learn more read Rosenstein's op-ed in The Record.