TRENTON — The New Jersey chapter of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) says an Assembly Republican leader's remarks that unemployment benefits provide a disincentive to look for work are off-base. Union president Charles Wowkanech says Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce's comments are "an unprovoked insult to people who have lost their jobs through...
Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce.TRENTON — The New Jersey chapter of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO) says an Assembly Republican leader's remarks that unemployment benefits provide a disincentive to look for work are off-base.
Union president Charles Wowkanech says Assembly Minority Leader Alex DeCroce's comments are "an unprovoked insult to people who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own."
DeCroce told business leaders Tuesday that a resident collecting $550 a week in unemployment benefits has little reason to look for work.
On Wednesday, the Morris County Republican said he was referring to people who game the system and not those trying to get a job.
DeCroce and his wife earn more than $170,000 a year on the state payroll.
New Jersey's unemployment rate is 9.2 percent.
Previous coverage:
• N.J. Assembly leaders trade barbs over unemployment benefits, 'race card'
• N.J. Democrats demand GOP assemblyman apologize for jobless benefits remark
• N.J. GOP assemblyman suggests reducing jobless benefits as incentive for unemployed to find work