A new amendment proposed by the New Jersey State Senate has drawn criticism from public workers' unions, puzzling some Senators. The new amendment would force New Jersey to pay it's share of public workers pensions, something the state has not been doing in the past. While unions have been complaining about the state's failure to pay, officials worry that letting the public vote on the amendment will hurt them. The president of Communications Workers of America Local 1033 said that widespread hostility towards public workers could lead to the amendments defeat and more trouble for the unions. Officials also say that the plan, which would gradually increase the state's required contribution over seven years is too slow, and that the state should start paying the full amount immediately. State Senator Robert Gordon said that paying the full amount, which would be around $3 billion next budget year would make layoffs very probable.
See "N.J. public workers union leaders argue against pension ballot question", Lisa Fleisher, The Star-Ledger, March 1, 2010