N.J. Gov. Chris Christie calls for teachers, school workers to accept wage freeze to prevent layoffs

By Statehouse Bureau Staff
March 23, 2010

TRENTON -- Gov. Chris Christie today called for teachers and school employees statewide to accept a yearlong wage freeze to prevent layoffs, cuts to student programs and higher property taxes as a result of his steep budget cuts.(Read Gov. Chris Christie's letter to school boards.)

With dozens of districts already seeking new agreements with their local unions, Christie threw the clout of the governor’s office behind the effort by asking all school boards to meet the same standard: A wage freeze beginning July 1 and mandatory contributions to health benefits. He said the state Department of Education will issue a framework for negotiations and scrutinize proposed budgets for "excessive" spending.

The governor said those moves could prevent ugly scenarios of teacher layoffs, cuts in the curriculum or athletic activities, and property tax increases above the usual 4 percent annual limit.

"This is a fight worth having," Christie told school officials in Somerville. "This is a fight to save our teachers, to save the programs in our schools and to save our children’s education from being diminished in any way over the next year."

But school districts and union officials said cutbacks are inevitable in the face of Christie’s proposed $820 million reduction in aid. Under his cuts, all districts lost up to 5 percent of their total budgets — which in some wealthier towns amounted to all of their state aid.

"Taking wage freezes isn’t going to stop job cuts. The governor’s budget is still going to force districts to cut staff and cut programs for students," said Steve Baker, spokesman for the New Jersey Education Association.

Baker said the NJEA — which has about 880 local affiliates — provides advice and support, but the decision on whether to reopen a contract is made by the local union. He said "a majority of locals that have been approached have said no."

In Hopatcong, where teachers are due a 4.45 percent pay increase under their contract, the district asked the union to agree to a one-year wage freeze, which it said would save $635,000, or eight to 10 jobs.