While I do agree reform of the binding arbitration rules are in order and that this committee has an important role to play which could impact municipal budgets for years to come, the opinions of Donna Antonucci are hers alone and not necessairly the editor of this journal (me) or any group to which she is affiliated with. Feel free to comment below on the issue of these last minute PERC appointments.
Here is her message:
Of the 180 11th hour appointments Corzine has put forth for senate confirmation, 4 are for the Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC). These people set the tone for the collective bargaining process as they hear appeals to arbitrated contracts.
For example, if a municipality appeals an arbitrated union contract to them saying that the arbitrator did not consider today's dire economic state, it's up to this body to opine if it has merit. If it sides with the municipality it changes the threshold for change for all arbitrated and by implication all contracts that don't go to arbitration as that's always an option.
This body has been and would continue to be extremely labor friendly. Our labor contracts constitute 55% of our budgets. We are giving away golden packages with healthcare plans that cost >$20K per person, $150 - $250K checks at retirement for unused vacation and deferred comp while they have gotten "extra" days for bar mitzvah's, weddings and even shopping.
Please write a letter to Corzine, and the senators who can block these nominations. I have penned a sample letter and below are all the addresses you need. PLEASE HELP MAKE SURE WE GET THE ADMINISTRATION WE VOTED FOR. (some of the terms of these appointments are for 3 or more years!!! The PERC ones are for 3 years and it's a 7 panel board for 4 appointments = a labor friendly majority)
Here is what I penned and for your convenience the list of addresses to copy. For Corzine, all we have is his home address so you have to send it though the USPS.
govelect@govelect.state.nj.us,Senstack@njleg.org, senbsmith@njleg.org,senbuono@njleg.org, sensarlo@njleg.org, (these folks can block the nominations)
Please copy me so I know how many people participated
donnaantonucci@gmail.com
Copy the nominees:
1) aeeaton@rci.rutgers.edu (Adrienne Eaton)
216 Lawrence Ave, Highland Park, NJ 08904
2) skrengel@edlawcenter.org (Sharon Krengel)
3) Local108yttw@msn.com (Ira Stern - Nominated for the Chair position)
4) pbvoos@rci.rutgers.edu (Paula Voos)
Here is the sample letter:
RE: 4 PERC Nominations
Governor Corzine,
I am writing to ask you to withdraw the 4 nominations for the PERC Board. As you know, these 4 positions have been in hold over status for quite some time. I believe one post expired at the end of 2007. As such, you are creating a majority that will serve for the next 3 years rather one that would have been staggered out over one year of the new administration. I believe NJ needs a new direction.
As I am sure you have read the NJ Commission of Investigations report dated December 2009, our public employee contracts under the collective bargaining process are fleecing the state. Most embarrassing for Hoboken, Hoboken was cited as an example of how the current collective bargaining process has condoned tremendous excesses and abuse. The PERC board sets the tone and determines the burden of proof in any appeal.
We sent former Police Chief LaBruno off into retirement with a $525,000 payout on top of his 7 figure NPV retirement + health care for life. We cannot get our public employees to contribute to healthcare premiums or take a plan limited to a network or has a deductible above $200 per family. In 2008/2009 we spent $23,000 per employee because we have not been able to get them away from a very expensive plan. Our contract has extra days for weddings, bar mitzvahs, blood donation. As such, they accrue a tremendous amount of vacation that they take at the retirement in addition to terminal pay. We are paying out $150 to $250,000 per public safety employee who retires with 25 years or more on top of their lucrative pension.
I have reviewed the PERC website and have looked at various appeals. Many municipalities have tried to make the argument that these are dire economic times. Our population is out of work, underemployed and leaving the state. Hoboken's median age is 30 v the state average of 36. We have a disproportionate number of young people who are experiencing much higher unemployment - as much as 50%. Personnel costs represent 55% of our budget. We cannot afford to pay into the pensions system to make good on these contracts. NJ comes in dead last in terms of property taxes in the country based on the The Tax Foundation - a non profit that looks at taxation across the nation.
We have the highest income tax rate in our upper income bands and many of our wealthy are leaving the state and on a microcosm, Hoboken as well. If we don't impact these contracts, we cannot bring relief to the citizens of Hoboken.
The PERC Commissioners burden of proof that economic conditions are severe enough to curtail increases much less wage and benefits cuts never seem to be enough. We need a PERC board that thinks differently and I think Governor-elect Christie will marshall in that group if you let him.
We are in the middle of negotiating our public safety contracts. The unions are well aware that the terms of 6 out of 7 PERC Commissioners have expired. By putting forth these nominations at this time is allowing them to continue to resist necessary and prudent benefits cuts and wage freezes.
I urge you to rescind these 4 nominations and allow the new administration to do so.
Sincerely,
Your name here
- Donna Antonucci ◦
