NJ public workers unions sue over benefit changes

    Unions for New Jersey teachers, police officers and other state workers are suing the state over changes to their pension and health insurance benefits.

    The lawsuit filed Tuesday in federal court in Trenton says the benefits reform law signed in June by Gov. Chris Christie is unconstitutional.

    The law increases the contributions workers must pay, removes the issue from collective bargaining negotiations for the next four years and suspends cost-of-living increases.

    Christie says the changes are necessary to save the pensions of state workers.

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