The American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey has filed a federal lawsuit in New Jersey against the state Department of Business Oversight and the New Jersey Department of Economic Development seeking to protect the rights of those who are being forced out of their jobs because of the state’s economic crisis.
“We’ve seen some of the worst effects of the crisis in the state,” said New Jersey ACLU attorney Jonathan S. Goldstein.
“The most significant impact is what we’ve seen in the last year, two years and counting, of the unemployment rate, which is the lowest it’s been in over a decade.
“So the question that’s going to have to be answered is, how do you ensure that the people who are there can continue to get paid?” “
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Newark on Tuesday, asks for injunctive relief to prevent the state from taking actions to reduce the unemployment rates and other benefits that companies are receiving. “
So the question that’s going to have to be answered is, how do you ensure that the people who are there can continue to get paid?”
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Newark on Tuesday, asks for injunctive relief to prevent the state from taking actions to reduce the unemployment rates and other benefits that companies are receiving.
The state, however, is in the process of taking similar actions to lower wages and benefits for those laid off.
The lawsuit names the Department of Workforce Development, which oversees the economic development department, as the defendant.
A spokesperson for the department declined to comment on the lawsuit.
“It is not unusual for states to seek injunctions to protect their people, and we’re taking all necessary steps to protect those who have lost their jobs,” Goldstein said.
“It’s very common for states and localities to sue the companies that have lost people’s jobs, and these states and cities are going to be doing so because they don’t want to be left with their workers when the economy slows down.”
The lawsuit also accuses the state of failing to adequately protect those working in public sector jobs, as well as those working for private companies.
“Public sector workers have had their wages cut and pensions slashed.
They’ve had their health benefits cut,” Goldstein told NJ.com.
They’re out of work. “
There’s been a lot of talk about this in New England, but the reality is, these people have lost everything.
They’re out of work.
They have no job.
They can’t get a raise, and they don’ know what’s going on with their pensions.
They don’t have access to social security.
Follow Michael Hurley on Twitter: @michaelFhurley”
I’m hopeful that in the future, people who have worked their entire working lives for their company or for their state or their city will have a voice in the way the government works.”
Follow Michael Hurley on Twitter: @michaelFhurley