Taxpayers suffer with union contract amendment

While I was most disappointed to learn of the governor's intention to amend the agreed-upon union contracts, I was not surprised. The corruption and raiding of the public treasury continues unabated. The behind-closed-doors negotiations between [Gov. Jon] Corzine, [union leader Carla] Katz and the CWA/NJEA unions should not have surprised anyone. Whatever Katz has on Corzine, it is enough to make him bend to her will. The deal struck between the governor and unions was a sweetheart deal to start with, giving them a generous pay package while seeming to get some very minor concessions on health and pension benefits. Now all that will be left is a generous pay package. If the Legislature caves in and accepts Corzine's amendments, the citizens will have again been sold out by our elected officials.

Workers in private industry should have such a generous employer, but then again, they do not have access to unlimited funds from the public treasury with which to play Santa Claus. Corzine is a great con artist, and the citizens of New Jersey have been conned again. Who will pay the bill? Perhaps not us, not now, but certainly our children and grandchildren. As a bad alternative, the governor proposes to pay the bill by auctioning off all of our state assets. Increased taxes, sale of state assets, all this to benefit only the chosen few, who work for the state and whose votes he must depend upon to stay in office.

Frederick R. Wolke

Edison