Christie vetoes raises for bistate authority workers

TRENTON – Gov. Christie has vetoed new contracts for employees of the bistate agency that runs a bridge and ferries between South Jersey and Delaware.

The governor says the Delaware River and Bay Authority was out of line this month when it agreed to give annual 1.9 percent raises to union and non-union employees while keeping their health insurance premium costs unchanged.

One of the Delaware commissioners blasted Christie's decision, saying it fails to recognize that the authority serves two states.

"Governor Christie has attempted to impose a 'New Jersey way or the highway' mentality and repeatedly directed us to conform our operations to the rules of the State of New Jersey, especially on personnel matters," said Authority Vice Chairman William E. Lowe III. "Yesterday's veto is a further indication of that one-sided stance."

On the New Jersey side of the river, the DRBA runs the Delaware Memorial Bridge, the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, the Delaware City-Salem Ferry Crossing, and the Cape May and Millville airports.

The authority contract called for employees to continue paying 10 percent of the cost of their health insurance premiums. Christie says that many other public workers in New Jersey are expected to pay 20 percent starting July 1.