The following press release was posted by NJEA's Communications Division following the Public Employee Rally on June 19. Thank you, Camden County, for pulling your weight in helping to save the $1.5 billion pension contribution that Governor Corzine promised in his budget!!!
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Over 10,000 public employees rally in Trenton for pensions
Turnout exceeds expectations as raucous rally spills into streets
Trenton – Chanting and cheering to the strains of Aretha Franklin’s “R.E.S.P.E.C.T” over ten thousand public employees – teachers, school support professionals, police officers, firefighters, nurses, state workers, retirees and others – flooded West State Street in Trenton today for a boisterous rally aimed at convincing legislators to support the $1.3 billion pension and benefits contribution contained in Governor Corzine’s proposed budget.
NJEA President Joyce Powell led off a slate of over 20 speakers, including labor leaders, rank-and-file members, several legislators from both parties and Governor Corzine. Powell noted that the current pension deficit is a bi-partisan problem. “I don’t blame one person or one party for the mess this state is in,” noted Powell. “Pension neglect was a problem when Republicans were in power, it was a problem when the parties shared power and it’s been a problem with Democrats in power. Four different governors, two Republicans and two Democrats, have presided over budgets that failed to fund our pensions.”
Powell then praised Governor Corzine for his “courageous” budget, which calls for the state’s first meaningful pension contribution in over a decade. “We finally have a Governor who is trying to be part of the solution. The Governor has proposed a good, responsible budget, a budget without gimmicks. It’s time for both parties to get behind him and make sure that budget gets passed,” exclaimed Powell, to roars of approval.
NJEA is working in coalition with other public employee groups to achieve passage of a responsible budget with adequate revenues and Governor Corzine’s full proposed pension contribution.
