Christie spokesman says most jobs were on track to be cut through attrition
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie appears at a Statehouse news conference in October. TRENTON — State workers may not face layoffs in January after all — and they may be able to take Black Friday off even though Gov. Chris Christie wants them to work.
Christie, who last week said 1,200 jobs would be shaved in January, today told a town hall audience in Clifton the state may meet that goal just through attrition.
And a commission today sided with state unions opposing Christie’s plan to make them work the day after Thanksgiving.
Christie’s budget planned for cutting 1,300 jobs. But no layoffs could occur before January because that would trigger raises under a union agreement with former Gov. Jon Corzine.
"It may turn out we don’t have to lay off anybody if we reach that 1,200 ... number, or somewhere in that neighborhood," Christie said. "Stay tuned, I’m hopeful we won’t have to."
Christie spokesman Michael Drewniak today said as of Friday, most jobs were on track to be cut through attrition.
Hetty Rosenstein, state director for the Communications Workers of America, said many workers have retired because of Christie’s proposed pension changes and staff shortages. More than 7,000 state workers had put in to retire as July.
The unions and Christie were also fighting over Black Friday.
A 2009 agreement allowed employees to work Lincoln’s Birthday for getting the day after Thanksgiving off. But Christie recently informed them this would be a regular workday and Lincoln’s birthday would be a paid holiday. The state Public Employment Relations Commission today said such a move can only be made through law or negotiation.
Rosenstein said she hoped the administration would not appeal. Drewniak said the governor’s office will "review all options."
Previous coverage:
• Gov. Christie says N.J. to shed at least 1,200 public employees by next year
• Complete coverage of the 2010 New Jersey State Budget
• Poll: Majority of N.J. voters oppose Gov. Christie's education cuts, teacher merit pay
• N.J. Sen. Sweeney says Gov. Christie's 'toolkit' misses sharing services component
• N.J. Sen. President Sweeney, 5 mayors push for shared services among municipalities
• Chris Christie, while U.S. attorney, often exceeded travel expense budget
• Gov. Christie overspent on trips more than any other U.S. attorney in 2-year span, report says