N.J. teachers union files suit challenging health benefits contribution
STATE HOUSE BUREAU
STATE HOUSE BUREAU
The state’s largest teachers union opened up a new front in their fight with Governor Christie Wednesday, filing suit against a key pension reform law he championed.
In the suit, filed in state Superior Court in Mercer County, the New Jersey Education Association claims the law violates teachers’ rights to negotiate their salaries and benefits at the local level by forcing them to contribute at least 1.5 percent of their salaries toward health benefits.
"This legislation was ill-conceived from the beginning, and was rushed through the Legislature to meet an artificial timeline imposed on lawmakers by the governor," said NJEA President Barbara Keshishian, whose union represents 200,000 teachers and other school employees.
Last week, the state’s largest police and firefighters unions challenged the same law, as well as two other
RECORD FILE PHOTO
"This legislation was ill-conceived from the beginning, and was rushed through the Legislature to meet an artificial timeline imposed on lawmakers by the governor," said NJEA President Barbara Keshishian, whose union represents 200,000 teachers and other school employees.
Last week, the state’s largest police and firefighters unions challenged the same law, as well as two other
Cresskill school administrators meet with students involved in walkout to address budget concerns
THE RECORD
STAFF WRITER
CRESSKILL – Administrators on Wednesday met with about 30 Cresskill High School students - who had participated in a walkout a day earlier protesting education cuts – after deciding not to suspend them.
The 45-minute discussion focused on clearing up any confusion regarding the school budget and cuts, said Superintendent Loretta Bellina. Questions were also posed by the students.
“I felt it was important that we talk to the students because my understanding was there was much confusion” about the budget and how the state aid cuts affected the district, said Superintendent Loretta Bellina. “I think we had a really good conversation.”
The district lost 95 percent of its state aid and cut three teachers and 10 support staff jobs.
On Tuesday morning, between 100 and 150 students protested Governor Christie’s cuts and the layoff of a popular teacher but returned to class within about 15 or 20 minutes, said high school Principal Peter Eftychiou. The same number of students then walked out again in the afternoon, he said. They had
The 45-minute discussion focused on clearing up any confusion regarding the school budget and cuts, said Superintendent Loretta Bellina. Questions were also posed by the students.
“I felt it was important that we talk to the students because my understanding was there was much confusion” about the budget and how the state aid cuts affected the district, said Superintendent Loretta Bellina. “I think we had a really good conversation.”
The district lost 95 percent of its state aid and cut three teachers and 10 support staff jobs.
On Tuesday morning, between 100 and 150 students protested Governor Christie’s cuts and the layoff of a popular teacher but returned to class within about 15 or 20 minutes, said high school Principal Peter Eftychiou. The same number of students then walked out again in the afternoon, he said. They had