Gov. Chris Christie’s agreement on a road map for pension reform did not include state workers other than teachers. But many would be affected, including members of the New Jersey Police Benevolent Association. NJ PBA President Patrick Colligan told NJTV News Anchor Mary Alice Williams that police and firefighter organizations were not invited to meet with the commission to discuss any negotiating.
“Well, we were invited to at least meet the commission and at least have a discussion with the commission. We weren’t invited to have any negotiating position,” said Colligan. “I think primarily because initially, really the system with the most problems right now are the teachers. And it’s really the largest problem on the pension system out of the five systems. So that’s probably how they got to the table first and made the negotiations deal that they did.”
Colligan said that police officers have a small portion of their retirement covered by the state but that the vast majority is local and county funding.
As for health coverage, Colligan said that health care for the PBA has been comprehensive, but that the PBA has been trying to get information from the state health benefits. Colligan said that it has been a frustrating process for the PBA because members have not been able to get any information or any changes made to the system.
“It’s been a frustrating process because we’re not allowed to change anything,” Colligan said.
Christie has talked about plans to find savings in health care to fund pensions. Colligan said that he believes Christie might have been looking at completely eliminating the health care plan and make it into some version of Obamacare.
“We’ve been trying to work on the state plan. We hit road blocks every step of the way,” said Colligan. “We can’t even find out what the state pays for the plan. So if he’s truly serious about savings and health care, we can offer it. We’ve come to the table. Again we’ve been trying it for two years.”
If current plans were to get frozen for members of the PBA, Colligan said that it would be different than what it would be with teachers.
Colligan has challenged the governor to “look beyond his presidential ambitions and to not use this report as a chance to wag the dog to distract from his recent misguided travel schedule.” He said he would like the governor to stay in the state to take care of issues.
“Well look, we know he’s had some missteps and some issues abroad and we’d like him to come back and stay in the state. Sit with us at the table and try to get some work done here,” said Colligan.