Thousands of Police, Firefighters Rally Against Layoffs, Benefits Plan

TRENTON—Thousands of unionized police and firefighters rallied at the statehouse Thursday against layoffs and Gov. Chris Christie's plan to have them contribute more to health and pension plans.

Contingents of Belleville police and firefighters also took part in the rally, as did police officers from Nutley. 

Throngs of public safety workers from across the state delivered a loud message to Christie, pointing to a 2009 campaign promise that police and firefighter pensions would not be changed.

New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association President Anthony Wieners, a Belleville police detective, has pointed to rising crime, coupled with police layoffs as putting state residents in danger. 

Wieners was recently interviewed for a  New York Times Magazine article on Christie and his combative approach to dealing with public-sector unions. 

“The new normal in New Jersey is New Jersey has a crime problem," Wieners said, using a play on Christie's "new normal" budget message. "We are here to deliver a message in one loud, unified voice, that enough is enough."

Late last year, Belleville officials aired concerns that manpower cuts would have an effect on public safety. Belleville has so far refrained from laying off firefighters and police officers, but has reduced staff through attrition. 

State Senate President Stephen Sweeney, a Gloucester County Democrat and union organizer, also drew boos for backing Christie's plan to have workers pay 12 to 30 percent of their health care premiums.

Several Democratic lawmakers joined the rally in a sign of dissent from Sweeney. The crowd repeatedly yelled for Sweeney to address his support for Christie's plan.

"You have earned the right to negotiate your future," Senate Majority Leader Barbara Buono told the crowd.

Some elected officials said Christie was targeting the middle class while supporting the state's wealthy residents.

"The working people of this state need to get together and fight this class war,” said Assemblyman Gordon Johnson (D-Bergen). “We are now in a battle.”

While national media attention has focused on Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker's effort to eliminate most collective bargaining, Christie has said he "loves" collective bargaining. He has pledged to be tougher on public employee unions at the bargaining table.

Benefits must be limited to ensure the system's long-term fiscal health, Christie has argued. The state's pension system for public workers, including teachers, police officers and firefighters, is underfunded by $54 billion, according to the governor's office. 

Public safety workers have pointed out, however, that municipalities were ordered by the state government to skip pension contributions for several years in the 00's, when, because of a strong stock market, returns on pension fund investments were expected to be much higher than they actually have been. 

Christie called the Thursday's event a "me-first rally" at a press conference, but said he respected the state's first responders.

"I agree with him," said New Jersey Firefighters Mutual Benevolent Association President Bill Levin. "Every time the bell rings, every time shots are fired, you people say, me first, I go in first."

State troopers estimated around 7,000 people attended the rally, an agency spokesman said.  The crowd filled the block in front of the statehouse and overflowed into the park across the street. It was the second major public worker rally in Trenton in recent days. 

Paul Milo contributed to this report.