Christie has final say on bill offering unemployment to striking workers

TRENTON — With an Assembly vote Thursday, the Legislature sent Gov. Chris Christie a bill allowing striking workers to collect unemployment benefits.

The legislation sprang up during a six-week Verizon worker strike that began in April. About 40,000 East Coast Verizon workers, including 4,600 in New Jersey, walked off the job in protest of the telecommunications giant's contract demands.

It garnered Senate approval in August as 1,000 Taj Mahal casino and hotel employees entered their second month striking in a dispute over benefits.

The Assembly passed the bill Thursday 49-24.

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