New Jersey state workers lose holiday

NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 19 (UPI) -- New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine is being called the "Thanksgiving Grinch" by state employees because they are required to work on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

The governor's office received more than 5,500 calls in protest after his executive order revoking the day after Thanksgiving as a paid holiday, said his spokeswoman, Lilo Stainton.

For the first time in 30 years, New Jersey is joining 17 other states by opening for business Friday , USA Today reported Monday.

New Jersey union official Carla Katz said Corzine's decision earned him the "Grinch" nickname.

Gov. Kathleen Blanco, of Louisiana, on the other hand, signed executive orders granting state workers three four-day weekends: Thanksgiving Friday, Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve, the newspaper said.