For Some, Perhaps a Summer of Discontent

How would you answer the question?  (NJN12 Screen shot/Dick Bergeron)

Things are about to change for public unions.

By day’s end on Thursday of this week, union members and the general population of New Jersey will witness the conclusion of a prolonged pension and health benefits battle which has been raging in this state for months.

The end is in sight. 

Unless there is a major surprise – don’t expect one – the bill that will be presented to the New Jersey Assembly for a vote on Thursday is expected to pass in a form little changed from that agreed to by the Senate.  (I outlined some of those provisions in my last post.)

One of the most significant aspects of this proposed legislation is that Republican Governor Chris Christie has lately been sitting quietly in the background, as the considerable firepower of public unions has been taking aim squarely at Senate President Steve Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver. 

 Both are democrats who support an overhaul of public pensions and health benefits in this state.

Members of all unions, including those of the NJEA, are being solicited individually by e-mail to attend Thursday’s rally.  They also are requested to check the progress of their leadership through Twitter and Facebook. 

The unions want as many of their members as they can pull together to assemble at union rallies in Trenton, between now and the final vote at the end of this week. 

The bill is likely to pass the Assembly on Thursday, followed by a yet-to-be-announced bi-partisan ceremony during which Governor Chris Christie will sign it into law. 

Deservedly, Sweeney and Oliver should be in the photo-ops, sharing credit for this extraordinary bi-partisan effort.  This will be an outcome which – a year ago – no one in New Jersey would ever have thought possible.

(Note:  Click on the image for an enhanced view.)