N.J. workers union OKs furloughs, raise freeze
The largest state employee union has ratified a deal calling for nine unpaid furlough days in the new fiscal year and delaying a scheduled raise for 18 months.
Just less than 69 percent of the 13,000 Communications Workers of America members who voted backed the deal with Gov. Corzine. In voting that concluded yesterday, all four CWA bargaining units involved supported the plan, according to the union's regional office.
The agreement pushes a 3.5 percent raise - expected to take effect today - back to Jan. 1, 2011. Workers who are furloughed will receive up to seven paid leave days that they can cash out when they leave government service.
The agreement was part of Corzine's plan to save $325 million through wage freezes and furloughs in the budget year that begins today. The savings total depends on deals with all state employee unions. Corzine has yet to reach deals with other unions. - Jonathan Tamari
