TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — A war of words has erupted in New Jersey over a proposal to require public workers to pay more for health benefits, with the largest public worker union denouncing the plan as dishonest and the Legislature's top Democrat dismissing the unions' position as selfish.
Senate President Stephen Sweeney, the Democrat driving the proposal to raise health and pension benefits contributions for state, county and local workers through legislation, agreed Monday to support a provision to allow the changes to expire after four years. But that seemed to do little to win over reluctant Democrats in the Legislature or change the unions' staunch opposition to what they see as an infringement on collective bargaining.
The bill is scheduled for its first public hearing on Thursday in the Senate. Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver said Monday she's still hoping to broker a compromise that relieves taxpayers and protects worker rights.
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