New Jersey Governor Chris Christie says that he is now willing to work for changes in public employee health benefits through collective bargaining. The Governor, who wants employees to pay 30% of their health care costs, says that he still wants the legislature to pass a bill. The Communications Workers of America, which represents the most public workers in the state filed a complaint with the Public Employees Relations Committee alleging that Christie's refusal to bargain was a violation of state law. The current contract expires on June 30.
See "Gov. Christie seeks to change health benefits of state workers through collective bargaining", Ginger Gibson, The Star-Ledger, May 26, 2011