Hundreds of teachers protest N.J. Sen. Weinberg's support of pension reforms
THE RECORD
STAFF WRITERS
More than 500 Bergen County public school teachers and staff rallied in front of Democratic Sen. Loretta Weinberg’s office in Teaneck on Thursday to blast state aid cuts and her support for recently passed bills that will rein in pensions for new hires.
“Hey Loretta, where’s our money? We want our money back,” chanted several teachers from the Leonia Education Association. Some held signs pleading “Save our schools” to protest Gov. Christie’s proposed $820 million in state aid cuts, which they argue would devastate their districts.
Meanwhile, two days after 58 percent of New Jersey school budgets failed to win voter approval, educators and town officials statewide scrambled to find ways to further trim defeated spending plans. In a conference call with roughly 700 of them, Education Commissioner Bret Schundler encouraged municipal leaders to contact local teachers unions and urge them to take a one-year wage freeze.
Schundler said sometimes a new voice can help facilitate a heated discussion between two counter-parties, just as in a marriage. “There are times when I’m discussing something with my wife and we disagree” and getting another perspective is valuable, he said.
New Jersey Education Association spokeswoman Dawn Hiltner argued against the notion that municipal officials should call on locals directly to give up raises. All the parties “should all sit down together and work collaboratively, instead of automatically looking at working people to take cuts,” she said.
Judging by the vehemence of the teachers marching in Teaneck — which created a massive late-afternoon traffic jam downtown — it seemed many were in no mood to make concessions. Forming a loop, they paraded down blocked-off Cedar Lane for more than an hour, cheering as representatives from the NJEA
TYSON TRISH/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Buy this photoMore than 500 local teachers protest outside of state Sen. Loretta Weinberg's Teaneck office Thursday.
Meanwhile, two days after 58 percent of New Jersey school budgets failed to win voter approval, educators and town officials statewide scrambled to find ways to further trim defeated spending plans. In a conference call with roughly 700 of them, Education Commissioner Bret Schundler encouraged municipal leaders to contact local teachers unions and urge them to take a one-year wage freeze.
Schundler said sometimes a new voice can help facilitate a heated discussion between two counter-parties, just as in a marriage. “There are times when I’m discussing something with my wife and we disagree” and getting another perspective is valuable, he said.
New Jersey Education Association spokeswoman Dawn Hiltner argued against the notion that municipal officials should call on locals directly to give up raises. All the parties “should all sit down together and work collaboratively, instead of automatically looking at working people to take cuts,” she said.
Judging by the vehemence of the teachers marching in Teaneck — which created a massive late-afternoon traffic jam downtown — it seemed many were in no mood to make concessions. Forming a loop, they paraded down blocked-off Cedar Lane for more than an hour, cheering as representatives from the NJEA