Gov. Christie Wants End To Paying For Unused Sick Days

TRENTON, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- Do you get paid for your unused sick days? Some state workers in New Jersey get that money when they retire.

For instance, in Elmwood Park, the town's mayor said the police chief, a deputy and five others who retired, walked away with $1.2 million.

"I just think it's unfair because I feel we, as the people, if we're working we get paid. It's too hard, economy is bad right now," said Ranisha Ali of Newark.

It's a practice Gov. Chris Christie wants the Democrat-controlled Legislature to stop.

"That is a lot of money for you to be putting out for paying not to be sick, which is essentially what we're doing here," said Christie.

The governor claims Democrats aren't taking action on his sick pay reforms. The Democrats say what he's asking is unconstitutional and that he's not accepting compromises.

Joe Occhipinti heads the National Police Defense Foundation, an organization representing officers.

"To take away from them now is like a breach of contract," he said.

Occhipinti said the only way the governor's plan could work would be grandfathering current state workers.

Due to different contracts and town ordinances, not all state workers can walk away with unused sick pay money when they retire.

As for the Elmwood Park police chief and deputy and their union, CBS 2 was unable to get comment Wednesday.

With whom do you side in this issue? Sound off in our comments section below...