Thousands Attend the “Stand Up for Public Safety” Rally in Trenton, New Jersey
March 10, 2011
On Thursday, March 3, IAEP / NAGE National President David J. Holway joined over 15,000 police officers, firefighters and EMS professionals at the Stand Up for Public Safety Rally in a show of solidarity with the public safety providers of New Jersey as they face continued attacks on their benefits.
“Across the country public employees are facing relentless attacks on their bargaining rights, benefits, wages and more,” said Holway. “IAEP is proud to stand beside our brothers and sisters in New Jersey as they fight to protect their retirement and to be treated with the respect they deserve.”
NAGE’s own NJ FMBA President Bill Lavin’s speech closed the rally, which was organized in response to New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s recently released budget proposal that includes significant changes and cuts to the retirement program as a whole. He was joined by a host of public safety leaders including NJ State Policeman’s Benevolent Association Executive Vice President Keith Dunn, NJSPBA President Tony Wieners, NJ Fraternal Order of Police President Ed Brannigan and Professional Firefighters Association of NJ President Dominick Marino.
IAEP National Representative Carlos Gomez, pictured above, and numerous IAEP members from the New Jersey area also attended the rally and added their voices to the large crowd.
Governor Christie’s budget proposal includes language that would make all New Jersey public employees pay up to 30% towards their medical benefits by 2014. It would also raise their retirement age and eliminate cost of living increases for current retired employees in the state pension fund.
Listen to audio of NJ FMBA President Bill Lavin’s speech