N.J.'s largest police union vows legal fight to Corzine's furlough plan

by The Associated Press

Thursday March 26, 2009, 6:06 PM

The New Jersey police union says it will sue the state to block public employee furloughs.
New Jersey Policemen's Benevolent Association spokesman Jim Ryan says his group will file suit Friday or Monday to stop an emergency rule allowing furloughs.



APGov. Jon S. Corzine in January discussing New Jersey unemployment.

New Jersey's Civil Service Commission adopted the rule Wednesday giving Gov. Jon S. Corzine and local governments the authority to impose temporary layoffs.

Corzine wants to save $35 million by forcing public workers to take two days off this spring. He also sought the authority to furlough state workers for 12 days -- one day a month -- beginning in July.
Ryan says the PBA will seek to stay the rule at least until it can be clarified. As written, he says local and state governments do not have to prove financial hardship before laying off workers.