AFT Joins With Unions to Oppose Christie Order

N.J. labor unions lawsuit claims Gov. Chris Christie's 'pay to play' restrictions violates First Amendment
By Peggy Ackermann/Statehouse Bureau
February 24, 2010, 7:47PM

TRENTON — Four labor unions sued Gov. Chris Christie today, saying he illegally extended state "pay to play" restrictions to them in an executive order he signed last month.

Calling the governor’s order "completely illegal," Hetty Rosenstein, state director for the Communications Workers of America, said it violates the state constitution’s separation of powers provision, the federal constitution’s equal protection guarantees and union members’ First Amendment rights.

"The governor cannot just issue a piece of paper and have it change the law," Rosenstein said. "The Legislature gets to legislate, not the governor."

In addition to the CWA, the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, the International Federation of Professional and Technical Employees-Local 195 and the American Federation of Teachers are asking the state Appellate Division to stay the order.

See the full story at http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2010/02/nj_labor_unions_lawsuit_claims.html