With the Jersey City budget expected to be introduced at Monday’s City Council caucus, a battle has erupted over 31 layoffs from the administration, which has rubbed the majority of the governing body the wrong way do to the way it was represented to the city’s unions.
“At Wednesday’s meeting with city union leadership, the administration told union members that Council’s opposition to a 15% third quarter tax increase — opposed by Council members Ridley, Gilmore, Lavarro, Griffin, and Zuppa — would result in layoffs. That’s not accurate, and union members deserve better than being misled about what’s actually on the table,” the five council members said in a joint statement.
“They were also encouraged to show up at the next council meeting and demand a vote on the increase, even though no such item is on the agenda. Written talking points circulated to union heads placed the blame on council members for asking basic budget questions. This administration should be embarrassed by that.”
While last week started on a high note for the city of Jersey City, securing $120 million in state aid – a $15 million grant and a $105 million loan – it didn’t end on one…