Ed Donnelly, president of the New Jersey Fireman’s Mutual Benevolent Association (NJFMBA), reacted this afternoon to this morning’s ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court on the pension suit brought against Gov. Chris Christie.
One of the plaintiffs in the case, Donnelly bitterly absorbed the news.
“We share in the disappointment over the Supreme Court’s ruling, and are even more disappointed that we have to continue having this fight with Governor after Governor to get them to do what’s right,” said Donnelly. “Our members take their jobs knowing the dangers they are going to face, and time after time they rise to the occasion, putting their lives on the line to save others. In return, all that we ask is that the sacred vow we made with our employers, that after years of risking our lives and facing unspeakable tragedy, we have healthy and secure retirements, be kept.
“This Supreme Court ruling is another obstacle on the way to finding a path forward towards guaranteeing the health of the of the New Jersey public pension system as a whole,” the firefighter added. “What has worked for the PFRS, the portion of the pension system our members are enrolled in, can work across the entire system, but only if those obligated to make their contributions do so. History will show what many of us already know, Governor Christie has done nothing to preserve the New Jersey pension system. In fact, he continues to put the pensions of tens of thousands of loyal firefighters, police officers, teachers and others at risk. His calls of coming to the table for meaningful dialogue ring empty, for despite our requests there has never been dialogue, only a steady stream of misguided attacks on men and women like those of the FMBA risking their lives to keep New Jersey safe.
“Governor Christie has failed to live up to his end of his deal, and our members, as well as the State of New Jersey, are suffering. We’d ask the Governor for a commitment to do his part, but we know that he is incapable of keeping his word. He has built his legacy on lies and broken promises, something you can be sure our members, and those that care about integrity not just in New Jersey, but across the US, will stand up and take notice of.”