Catherwood LibraryILR School

In order to avoid layoffs, New Jersey Governor Corzine has asked state workers for a wage freeze (eliminating a scheduled 3.5% wage increase) and for 12 furlough days. Republican opponents in the upcoming election for governor are calling for layoffs regardless. Budget problems have placed New Jersey labor unions at the center of the upcoming election. Unions are fighting to avoid the cuts that may result from the State's budget crisis, and candidate's efforts to propose solutions to the shortfall. Workers organized 21 protests state-wide last week, noting that Corzine's budget proposal would cut more from workers' salaries than it would raise in taxes for the wealthiest individuals in the state. The struggle over Corzine's request for union concessions could cost him union support in the election, though the Republican alternatives could be viewed as worse for workers.