PRIETO STATEMENT ON POLICE & FIRE INTEREST ARBITRATION

(TRENTON) – Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson, Bergen) released the following statement Monday on police and fire interest arbitration and extending the 2 percent cap on base salary awards. The Assembly approved a bill to extend the cap on March 27 (A3067 / S1869) but the governor blocked it from becoming law through a conditional veto:

“It’s disappointing that the governor and local officials have chosen to hold rallies rather than sit down and negotiate with the Assembly to resolve this matter.

“I’ve asked the representatives of local officials to join me for discussions, but they have so far refused to offer any solutions. Still, they take time to join rallies. This is very unproductive and unfair to the taxpayers who deserve better.

“I’ve made it clear – the Assembly stands ready to settle this issue through good faith negotiations that protect taxpayers and provide fairness to the police and firefighters who protect our safety.

“The Assembly’s commitment to fairness must be met. That’s a balance everyone truly interested in reaching a compromise should be willing to support.”

http://www.njfmba.org/know-the-facts-about-the-2-cap/