CWA Local 1037 - 25 Years of Militancy!

What's New at CWA Local 1037

Not getting email updates? Email the Local at info@cwa1037.org with your current email so you can be kept up-to-date on important info!

Important Documents for State Workers

May17 - Click below for important documents pertaining to the new contract.

 

CWA Reaches Tentative Agreement with State of New Jersey on New Contract

May 4 - Late on May 2nd, the Communications Workers of America reached a Tentative Agreement with the State of New Jersey on a new contract for our 40,000 members in the executive branch. The tentative agreement will be finalized and submitted to our members for ratification over the next several weeks.

CWA has been negotiating with the State since March 2011. The proposed contract’s term will run from July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2015.

From the outset, our core bargaining priorities for this round of negotiations have been consistent. First, our members wanted to protect the integrity of our collective bargaining agreement so that whatever is bargained is honored by both sides for the life of the contract. Second, we understand the importance of negotiating job security provisions to maintain oversight of potential privatization attempts, and to provide re-training and re-employment opportunities for displaced workers.

It is clear under this contract, our members continue to make sacrifices. Our tentative agreement contains small salary increases, reduces clothing maintenance allowances, and recognizes the new law governing health care for public employees.

However, after a year of negotiations, our Union has rejected systematic, unprecedented attacks at the bargaining table. The State began negotiations seeking over 90 concessions from the Union which would have eliminated significant sections of our contract including both economic and non-economic language developed over decades of bargaining – with both Democratic and Republican Governors, in good times and in bad.

We have accomplished our core objectives during a very difficult political and economic climate, defending the integrity of our contract against an Administration hell-bent on undermining this legal right at every opportunity. Given this fact, we support this tentative agreement and recommend its ratification.

Our tentative agreement will go to the membership for review and approval over the next several weeks. We will meet with our Shop Stewards on the afternoon of May 9th. After that, Locals will be in touch with their membership to set up informational meetings.

CWA Bargaining Committee Members
Chris Shelton, District 1 Vice President
Hetty Rosenstein, CWA NJ Director
John Rose, President 1031
Patrick Kavanagh, President 1032
Adam Liebtag, President 1036
Ken McNamara, President 1037
Lionel Leach, President 1039

Carolyn Wade, President 1040

 

Union Scholarships Now Available

Our Contract: A Fight for the Integrity of Collective Bargaining

February 28 - As you know, we were making slow and difficult progress negotiating with the Christie Administration. By November we had finally signed off on a number of articles, we were tackling very difficult issues such as Clothing Allowance criteria, and moving onto the most important economic issue: wages.

Throughout these negotiations, we discussed and shared our bargaining demands and carefully discussed strategy and approach with our allies from other unions (AFSCME, IFPTE and AFT) who are in bargaining with the State as well. Up until the very last few moments with IFPTE Local 195, we thought that we were on the same page.

By late December, the Administration stopped meeting with CWA, and instead moved to reach an agreement with IFPTE Local 195. This resulted in the Contract that was just ratified and signed two weeks ago. (In our last bargaining update we reported the economic terms of the IFPTE agreement and other, limited details which were provided to us by the State. To review the last update, go to www.cwanj.org.)

Prior to ratification, neither IFPTE Local 195 nor the Christie Administration would share the actual written settlement. We have since received that settlement and it fulfilled many of our worst fears. Included in their agreement are changes to the compensation, job security, and other protective language that we have effectively relied upon for many years.

After the IFPTE settlement, we had a bargaining date with the State where it presented a new package of proposals. The State’s new batch of proposals contain specific language to undermine the integrity of our contract. The State is insisting upon language that says that if the Legislature does not appropriate the full amount of the cost of raises, then the State does not have to pay ANY of the raise. There is other language that says if the full amount isn’t “allocated” they don’t have to pay it either. We were directly told that the State wants language that says that if the Legislature appropriates even $1 less than the full amount of the raise, the Governor doesn’t have to pay ANY of the raise. In fact, if there is a failure to appropriate less than the full raise, it is entirely at the discretion of the Governor as to what he spends the money on.

As members have seen with our successful defense of the MOA from 2009 and successful arbitration of Medco grievance under the contract, contract language matters. In point of fact, some of the language under attack by the State has already BEEN enforced by CWA in arbitration, PERC and other legal proceedings.

We are concerned that the State’s current proposals replace solid enforceable language with language that could place at risk across the board increases and increments, as well as the integrity of our contract. You now see the very difficult circumstances confronted by your Bargaining Committee. Most of the focus of this and all Contracts is on Economics. ("How much is the raise?")

But CWA has also been very concerned about the INTEGRITY of the Contract Agreement.

Our contract has language we bargained years ago and improved over time that has protected our members. Our goal is security and the integrity of the Contract. This is at the heart of Collective Bargaining. We are going back to the table to have a fight to protect Collective Bargaining for the public sector in New Jersey and your Bargaining Team NEEDS your support.

We will need you to take action -- and not over things that are easy to explain. Not only over wages -- but over the right to bargain wages! Not only over benefits -- but over having the benefits we bargained maintained for the life of the contract. This is not easy "stuff" to explain and, as we have seen with the history of other unions settling before CWA, even experienced union leadership can sometimes miss its importance. We need your support, your courage, and your commitment to collective bargaining. We will be meeting with CWA Shop Stewards and leadership on March 6th to discuss this and that which we don't think we should be putting out in writing at this time.

We are trying to communicate with our membership carefully. We are not looking to flag information for the Administration which would undermine our effectiveness at the bargaining table. Prior to the March 6th Shop Steward meeting we will have had further bargaining sessions with the State and will likely have additional information. Shop Stewards and representatives from your Local will then be meeting with members. We will also send out another update at that time. We appreciate your patience and understanding while we navigate this difficult period.

In the meantime, here is what we are asking of all members:
1. Be Aware. If you have not closely followed what has been happening in State Worker bargaining, please go to www.cwanj.org and review the information about CWA negotiations and the IFPTE settlement.
2. Stay in Touch. If you have not been receiving updates at a personal e-mail address, please log on to www.cwanj.org and give us an address where we can reach you. We cannot use the employer’s e-mail for these types of communications.
3. Turn Out. As negotiations develop at the table, Locals will be able to meet with members to provide additional information. Please make sure you come to all union meetings and participate in any announced mobilization activities.
4. Stay Strong. We know this is difficult but don’t be afraid. Don’t believe rumors. We will continue to keep members updated. Together we will get through these negotiations and collectively we will confront the difficult choices ahead – and we will do so in the best democratic traditions of CWA.
5. Participate in Mobilization actions. We will be discussing this at the March 6 Stewards meeting and we will need all hands on deck to get members involved in winning this fight for collective bargaining.

Again, we thank you for your patience (especially with this long update) and we ask for your continued support.

 

CWA Wins Appellate Court Victory on PLB Days

As you know, the State was trying to force our members to use all PLB days by June 30, 2012 and violate the MOA that permitted carryover and cash out of PLB days.  PLB days were agreed to between the unions and the State in exchange for agreements to defer contractual raises and to take furlough days.

The Appellate Court ruled that there was no Civil Service statute that limits the carryover of these paid leave days and that public policy is in favor of abiding by collectively bargained agreements.

This is an important decision for a number of reasons:

1. Our members made a great and responsible sacrifice in negotiating the MOA that included Furloughs and an 18 month wage freeze.  In exchange for that sacrifice we negotiated seven additional leave days and the flexibility to use them over time or cash them out, given that furloughs would make it more difficult to use time, and the staff shortages caused by attrition make it very difficult to use time.  If that agreement were allowed to be violated, union members would not be willing to negotiate such sacrifices in the future. 

EVERY PART OF OUR MOA HAS HELD.

2. The court's decision recognizes that in is in the public interest to honor collective bargaining agreements.  The Civil Service Commission did not recognize this important public interest when it promulgated a regulation that violated a key provision of the MOAs negotiated between the unions and the State. It is good to know that the Appellate Court still recognizes that such an action is contrary to public policy.

3. The Court also recognized that adopting a regulation that treats PLB days as vacation days for carryover purposes could be an "impairment" of a "contract" and has afforded the unions the opportunity to address that issue before the Civil Service Commission should it be necessary.  A contractual impairment may well be unconstitutional.

What happens now?

It is our belief that PLB days should now carry forward and over the next several days we will discuss this with the Civil Service Commission and the Administration with the hope that we can avoid further appeals or a new attempts to violate the MOA.

We will keep you informed but do not use any PLB days unless you want to.

 

 

Important Information for State Workers Regarding 195's Tentative Agreement

CWA has not settled a contract. IFPTE Local 195 has a tentative agreement. CWA, AFT, and AFSCME have not settled contracts. Find out the details here.

 

Medco Arbitration Update

As you know, we won the Medco arbitration and any members who were charged a “third tier” price for prescription drugs are entitled to be reimbursed by the State. We have been discussing the process for reimbursement with the State and members should be receiving a letter from the State along with a form to apply for reimbursement. (If you have not received the letter you may view it here and see the form here (page 1 and page 2.)

Members can file claims with the state by filling out the form and providing documentation of their costs. Since the State is unable to change the prescription drug program between now and January 2012, workers will continue to be charged incorrectly for certain drugs and should use the same form to be reimbursed for any additional charges between now and January.

As per the Pension and Health Benefits law passed in June, our costs for prescription drugs are no longer negotiated but instead the plans being offered are determined by the State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee. For the year beginning January 2012 there will be three tiers of prescription drug prices. (For detailed information on both the prescription and medical coverage plans, please review the CWA Report on Changes to the State Health Benefit Program. Read the report here.)

If members at your worksite require assistance with any aspect of the process for reimbursement, please contact your Staff Representative.

 

Sign Up for Labor to Labor Walks
October 19
After the election of Chris Christie in 2009, New Jersey workers were subject to an extreme agenda to dismantle our schools, hurt the middle class, and dismantle our collective bargaining rights. However, there were those Legislators who fought hard and stood with us to protect collective bargaining. Now, Governor Christie and his supporters are targeting our heroes from the Collective Bargaining Fight AND WE MUST STAND WITH THEM. Sign up for a Labor to Labor Walk by clicking the links below for more info.
Labor to Labor in Paramus
Labor to Labor Walks

 

Report on Changes to the State Health Benefit Program & Recommendations for Open Enrollment
October 15
In June 2011, the New Jersey Legislature passed healthcare legislation imposing contributions for healthcare without collective bargaining. The contributions are phased in over 4 years and they equal a percentage of the premium based upon income. The legislation also tasked a new “Plan Design Committee” comprised of Union and State representatives to create new plan offerings. It is very important that our members make educated decisions in choosing their health care plan. Not only will these decision impact members financially, they will also impact the quality of care for the individual member and his or her family.
Read the report here.

Chart for State Active Employee Plans

 

State Worker Bargaining Update
September 30
We are Fighting Back! The Christie/Sweeney/Oliver deal eliminating Collective Bargaining for Healthcare hurt us, but we are not defeated. We are fighting back – at the Bargaining Table, at the Polls this November, and at the worksite.
Click here for the Bargaining Report on where we are and where we are headed:

 

Report on the Joint State Health Benefits Plan Design Committee
September 21
Read the report here.

 

1037 Officer Election Results Are In
September 1
The Election Committee has informed us that as of noon today, at the close of the nominating period, there are no contested positions for the Executive Board this year. As per our Constitution and By-laws, those individuals who submitted petitions will be certified to office. For the official report from the Elections Committee, click here.


New Message from Local 1037's President
August 16
Verizon workers are striking and you can help. CWA Local 1037's President Ken McNamara talks about how you can show solidarity and support these workers.
Read the letter by clicking here.

 

Important Letter to State Workers
June 25
Find out the details about the healthcare bill that was passed this week that will hurt state workers and their collective bargaining rights, as well as where we will go from here.
Read the letter by clicking here.

 

Rally held for Bargaining Rights & Budget Fairness June 1st: Local 1037 Members Rally with Rev. Jesse Jackson
June 3

Members pack Newark Park for Demonstration in Support of Collective Bargaining Rights
Hundreds of Local 1037 members joined with other unions this past Wednesday to welcome the Reverend Jesse Jackson to a rally at Military Park in downtown Newark. The demonstration was part of a two-day stop in NJ dubbed the “Solidarity Tour for Bargaining Rights and Budget Fairness”. The Rally in Newark was the largest of the series of events.

Public Workers Rally In Newark: My9TV.com

 

CWA State Worker Bargaining Update: He’s Out of His Cage! *
May 25, 2011

Today, May 25th, CWA met the State for the seventh negotiations session.

We finally received a proposal on health care from the State of New Jersey after CWA made numerous requests and took legal action.

The State presented its health care proposal, which is very similar to the Governor’s public statements: all workers would pay up to 30% for health benefits for dependent coverage.  They also proposed dramatic increases to co-pays, but also wanted the right to change copays at any time during the life of the agreement.

This kind of proposal is regressive and hurts lower paid workers and families. However, we will continue to bargain health care according to our principles of affordability and maintaining quality care.  

Now that there is finally a proposal from the State, we will press for real bargaining to take place.

The Governor claims publicly he is doing the right thing for taxpayers by stonewalling negotiations. What he is really doing is putting sound bites and youtube moments ahead of rational dialogue to solve an important budgetary issue. CWA has proven it is ready to bargain and has proposed a realistic proposal that protects our families and saves the State over 20% of the overall cost of premiums.

Our next session is May 31.

Please Note: A memo from OER to departments which clarifies our right to carry over PLB days at least into next year will be coming out shortly.  We have appealed this matter to the Appellate Court as well.

 

 

State Workers Hold Lunchtime Workplace Pickets
May 25

 


May 11, 2011 Bargaining Report:

Two months after the first day of bargaining, we had the sixth bargaining session with the Christie Administration.  

We have not signed off on a single article to date.  Governor Christie has made NO proposal on healthcare and has not responded to our proposal.

It turns out that the Governor who “loves collective bargaining” continues to do little else other than to delay, delay, delay.

We also filed an Unfair Labor Practice charge today, over the Governor’s refusal to negotiate healthcare – a mandatory subject of collective bargaining.

We have another session scheduled for May 25, 2011.       It is time to hit the streets and demand that Governor “I love collective bargaining” Christie get serious.  May 25 will be a Day of Worksite Action around Collective Bargaining.  Your Local and Shop Stewards will be in touch with you with details for your worksite.  

 

 

NJ state workers discuss shared sacrifice and Christie's refusal to bargain

 

Workers from the Division of Youth and Family Services from Local 1037 talk about shared sacrifice and Christie refusiing to bargain with state workers.

 

 

Picket of Senator Nia Gill's Office
April 1

CWA members and other public workers and our allies have been picketing the offices of Senators who have refused to sign a pledge to stand up for collective bargaining rights. On Thursday, March 31, they were out en mass picketing Senator Nia Gill and standing up for workers' rights!

 

 

Picket of Senate Offices Continues
March 26

CWA members and other public workers and our allies have been picketing the offices of Senators who have refused to sign a pledge to stand up for collective bargaining rights. At issue is the pending legislation which would drastically increase the amount anyone in the State Health Benefits Plan pays for healthcare coverage. The bill would also trample on decades of collective bargaining on this issue by essentially making it illegal to bargain over healthcare.
Two weeks ago, hundreds of Local 1037 members picketed Senators Ruiz and Scutari in front of their district offices. Members were scheduled to picket Senator Girgenti last Thursday at his offices in Hawthorne, but the Senator decided to sign the pledge and has decided to affirm his commitment to our collective bargaining rights. Please call Senator Girgenti and thank him for his support at (973) 427 – 1229.
We have so far seen some success through this mobilization. More than half of the Democrats in the Assembly and many members of the Senate have signed the pledge and despite claims that the bill would be passed by the end of March, it has not been posted for a vote and the Legislature has gone into recess. They are now claiming a session will be scheduled in April to move the bill, so we need to keep the pressure on!
Picket Senator Nia Gill
A picket has been scheduled for this Thursday, March 31st at the district offices of Senator Nia Gill (D-34). Senator Gill represents Clifton, East Orange, Glen Ridge, Montclair and Woodland Park and she has refused to sign a pledge to support collective bargaining for public workers and to vote against any bill which would legislate healthcare benefits and contributions.
Please join us from 4:30 – 6:00 p.m. this Thursday, March 31st at 425 Bloomfield Ave in Montclair.

Please also call Senator Gill TODAY at 9973) 509 – 0388 and ask her to sign the pledge!

 

 

CWA Wins Medco Case
March 25

State must reimburse workers for prescription drug charges An arbitrator ruled that the State violated the state Worker Contract when it permitted Medco to unilaterally change our prescription drug plan. The contract provides that we pay $3 for a generic, $10 for a brand where there is no generic available, and $25 for a brand where there is a generic and there is no medical reason to not take the generic. Medco unilaterally implemented a "non preferred" category. Drugs that were not on the preferred list were not covered. Drugs are on the preferred list because Medco gets rebates for them and so they want you to take that drug.

Any worker who had to pay for their prescription because Medco wouldn't cover it has to be paid back. Workers who have been overcharged should gather their documentation and contact their Staff Representative. We will be contacting the State to establish a process for applying for reimbursement and will let members know as soon as possible.

To read the arbitrators decision, please click here.

 

 

 

CWA Asks Legislators "Which Side Are You On?"
March 18

Hundreds of Workers Picket Democratic Senate Offices this Week
After all Democratic Legislators were asked to sign the pledge in support of collective bargaining and to vow not to support any bill that would legislate healthcare for public employees, CWA members this week began to demonstrate against those who would not stand with us. Several Senators were targeted from across the state, with Local 1037 Shop Stewards and members taking the lead in the districts where we have members.
On Tuesday, March 15th in Newark and on Thursday March 17th in Linden, hundreds of Local 1037 members were joined by other public workers and our allies as we picketed the offices of Senators Ruiz and Scutari. And on Wednesday, March 14th our brothers and sisters in South Jersey picketed Senator Madden.  At all three events members were all fired up and determined to send our message to “Sign the pledge!”
These pickets and others like them around the state are sending the message to all the Legislators that public workers are paying attention to who is standing up to support our collective bargaining rights and who isn’t. We hope that the majority of Democrats will get the message and begin to stand up for working families . Only when they start acting more like the heroic 14 Wisconsin Democratic Senators and less like their opposition across the aisle and in the Governor’s office will they gain our respect and, more importantly to them, our support in November.

 

 

CWA Bargaining Update
March 11

CWA met with the Christie Administration for the first day of bargaining our new contract. We met all day and covered several areas. We exchanged some of our proposals and we received a large package of mostly non-economic proposals from the State.
For the most part, the State wants to eliminate previously-bargained language, side letters of agreement, and other hard-won provisions from previous contracts. We have a lot of work to do.
CWA took the lead in tackling health benefits, which will be one of the most important areas covered in the new contract.  We discussed priorities and principles for containing and sharing premium costs.  We also want to tackle the rising cost of prescription drugs and lowering costs through encouraging generics and mail-order. In short, the Union recognizes the importance of this issue and we wanted to make it a priority in bargaining.  CWA’s health benefits proposal would save the State 20%-22% of the premium, which is a significant move.
Unfortunately, the Governor made it clear that he intends to strip health care out of the bargaining process – a direct assault on the same collective bargaining that the Governor has claimed to “love.”  The State made no proposal on health care today and instead admitted that the Governor intends to “legislate” healthcare, in contradiction to the law and years of precedent in which changes to public worker health care are only enacted by Trenton after they are agreed upon at the bargaining table.  We were told that the State will not even respond to a health care proposal from CWA unless it “needs” to because the Legislature doesn’t enact his healthcare plan.
We were repeatedly told that the Governor intends to legislate all health benefits issues and will refuse to put a proposal on the table. If legislation doesn’t happen, only then would the State actually negotiate over healthcare at the table with the Union.
When asked if the State understood that healthcare is negotiable, we were told health benefits are negotiable “at the present time” but the State still refused to commit to put a proposal on the table.
CWA also proposed a state-wide table comprised of public sector unions to bargain health benefits together and reach an overall agreement with the State. Bargaining together would save time and enable all parties to reach a global agreement on behalf of all employees.
The Christie Administration is trying to remove healthcare from negotiations and make it a non-negotiable item. They will not take healthcare negotiations seriously as long as the Legislature is seriously considering legislating health benefits. Therefore we have to stop legislation to ensure health benefits are bargained, as they always have been.
There are two Lobby Days scheduled – March 14 and March 21 – to try to stop harmful legislation that would give the Governor exactly what he wants and take negotiations of health benefits off the table. Contact your Local to sign up for Lobby Day and to stay informed about negotiations.

 

 

Stop the Attacks on Collective Bargaining: Tell Senators Ruiz and Scutari to Stand Up for Working Families
March 11

While State Workers enter into discussions for a new Contract, the Governor and some Legislators would like to end our ability to negotiate over health benefits. Both Republicans and Democrats have proposals to drastically increase the amount we pay for health coverage.

We’ve asked Democratic Legislators to sign a pledge that they will support our rights to collectively bargain our terms and conditions of employment. It’s time to ask those who refuse to sign the pledge:  “Which Side Are You On?”Senator Nicholas Scutari (D-22) who represents parts of Union, Somerset and Middlesex Counties, and Senator Theresa Ruiz (D-29), who represents Newark and Hillside, have refused to sign the pledge. Now we need YOU to help send a message to Senator Scutari and his colleagues who would attack our rights.

Picket Senator Ruiz on Tuesday, March 15th

Picket Senator Scutari on Thursday, March 17th

 

 

Scholarship Opportunities
March 11

Have a student heading to college? Take advantage of some labor scholarship opportunities:

CWA National Anthony Beirne Scholarship

The Ed Purtill Scholarship, sponsored by the Bergen County Central Trades & Labor Council, AFL-CIO

The Abe Solomon Scholarship, sponsored by the Bergen County Central Trades & Labor Council, AFL-CIO

Empire State College, of the State University of New York, is now accepting applications for the Morton Bahr Online Learning Scholarship for the 2011-2012 academic year. The scholarship honors the far-seeing vision and commitment to educational opportunity of Morton Bahr, Communications Workers of America president emeritus and Empire State College alumnus. The deadline is May 15, and you can find out more here, and apply here.

 

 

CWA Declares State of Emergency
March 8

DON'T LET CHRISTIE PULL A WISCONSIN IN NJ!

Governor Christie is demanding that the Legislature impose 30% Healthcare Premium without
Collective Bargaining!  He is also demanding cuts to the Pension Plan for current workers and huge increases in contributions for all except police and firefighters AND STILL WON’T MAKE REQUIRED PAYMENTS!

S2718 Legislates Healthcare Premiums and makes
Collective Bargaining over Healthcare Premiums Illegal

If Christie has his way, the State pension and healthcare payments demanded will cut your compensation by thousands of dollars at a time when the Governor has bragged that he wants to institute a wage freeze.

Now, add another 3% of pay to your additional pension cost, even though we have never missed a payment and the Governor is proposing to drastically cut our benefits.

And all of this would be done without ever coming to the Collective Bargaining Table.  No exchange for a wage increase.  No joint effort at cost containment.  No negotiations over what people can afford.  No promise of funding.  Just a unilateral pay cut and no discussion.

CWA is ready, willing and able to make a fair healthcare proposal at the table that will save the State millions of dollars. But our members do not deserve a 12% pay cut.  We do not deserve to be vilified in the press.  We do not deserve to have collective bargaining in New Jersey tossed away.

Organized Labor will be demanding support for Collective Bargaining from the Legislature.  WE WANT THE RIGHT TO BARGAIN!  Please carefully follow the instructions of your Local and be a part of the Fight Back Plan!

Read CWA District 1 President Chris Shelton's Letter about what's happening in NJ.

 

Rally in Trenton brings 10,000 People
March 4

The rally in Trenton to support public workers in NJ and show solidarity with those rallying in Wisconsin brought 10,000 people to the State House last Friday, despite the pouring rain. Enjoy the slideshow of the rally, and if you have any photos or video, please email them to tech@cwa1037.org!


Read more at CWA NJ's website.

 

 

Wisconsin Public Employees Shut State Capitol: Workers Fighting to Save Their Unions
February 18

State Workers in Wisconsin are mad as hell, and they’re not going to take it anymore.  At least, that’s what 25,000 protestors who converged on the State capitol this week were saying.  The protesters were out in full- and impressive- force, fighting a new controversial bill that would strip public workers of most of their collective bargaining rights.  Introduced by newly elected Republican Governor Scott Walker, this bill is just another attack on public workers, trying to demonize them and bust their union. 

The workers in Wisconsin are no longer just fighting for themselves, they are fighting for the rights of public employees on a national scale. If this bill passes in Wisconsin (a historically pro-labor state), who knows how many other states will try to pass similar bills? Reports of similar protests spreading to Ohio and Indiana should be encouraging to all public workers. We know that with the attacks coming out of Trenton from both the Democrats and Republicans, it will be our turn next.

Decent press coverage of the attacks on public workers here in NJ has been hard to find. But this week Reuters interviewed some NJ state workers on the impact of Governor Christie’s pension proposals. Check out the article “Amid crisis, US state workers say: 'Don't blame us'” featuring Local 1037 Shop Steward and Division of Developmental Disabilities clerk Norlande Perpignan.

Read more here.
(Photo couortesy of Michael P. King, Wisconsin State Journal / AP)

CWA Statement to Members Regarding Recent Introduction of Pension Legislation
February 2

Senator Sweeney has introduced legislation to make several changes to the pension system. Although the bill was introduced, the bill language is not finalized and is not publicly available until next week.

CWA is part of a united front with every other public sector union which is reviewing the bill and talking to the legislature about the bill. There is no agreement on the legislation – but we are working very hard to have input on the legislation at every opportunity.

We are defending a system deeply underfunded by years of employer neglect, and we know there will be difficult choices and ultimately a serious fight to get legislation passed and signed that does not shift all costs to workers. We need to ensure that the state pays what it owes and that the plan does not become so underfunded that it becomes unstable. (Payments are currently being made from principal.  That puts the plan in the RED zone.  The RED zone means that the Plan is less than 65% funded. )

Within the next week, we expect full details of the bill to be available. We are scheduling stewards meetings and trainings, but we also will distribute information widely through our email and worksite networks as soon as we can.

We did not choose this time and we did not choose this bill, but it is clear we have to react. CWA has retained a national actuarial firm to study the current system and we will make fact and data-driven decisions with our leadership and membership to secure the defined benefit system’s future.

Please stay informed by visiting your Local’s website, talking to a shop steward, and signing up to receive information updates to your personal email.


Negotiation News for State Workers
January 21

Our Contract expires June 30, 2011.  We know that these may be the most difficult negotiations we have ever had. Governor Christie is already attacking our wages, our pensions, our benefits, and our job security. He wants to scapegoat public workers and score political points by putting the blame for New Jersey’s budget problems entirely on us. And If we know anything about this Governor, he will try to divide us: worker against worker, older against younger, union against union, and job against job. 

Our ability to remain unified during this struggle will be the key to getting through these negotiations and protecting our jobs and public services.

Contract surveys will come out in the next several weeks.  This year’s survey will be a little different -- we will try to measure what our members’ priorities are, as opposed to concentrating on individual contract provisions. We need everyone to participate in filling out the surveys and to be a part of all mobilization activities that will come up during this contract fight. 

Communication will be key in winning this fight. Please fill out updated contact info by downloading and returning this document, and get more information here.



CWA Responds to Christie's State of the State Address
January 12

Christie Puts Budget Burden on Middle Class and Public Workers While Wealthy Get Billions in Tax Breaks. Read the full response here.

Senator Sweeney's Pension Proposal
January 11

As you may have seen, there are some media reports that Senator Sweeney has a proposal on pensions.  The Senator has spoken with leadership of the public worker unions about this proposal and we are reviewing it and awaiting more details. Despite some reports, there is no “deal” on pension reform.
His proposal recognizes, as we do, that any reforms must begin with the State meeting its funding obligation. Without serious reform requiring State funding, we know the overall health of the system will continue to suffer.
We appreciate Senator Sweeney's effort to work cooperatively on this serious problem. Any reforms must begin with the State meeting its funding obligation, must be supported by data and must have a positive impact on the system itself.  We will review his proposal for that criteria.
A copy of the news article referring to this proposal is here.


Republicans using Public Workers as Scapegoats for Budget Problems
January 11

The Rachel Maddow Show highlights how Republicans are using Public Workers as Scapegoats for Budget Problems

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

CWA Wins Case Involving the Day After Thanksgiving
November 11

PERC Orders State Workers Will Have Day Off
The Public Employment Relations Commission (PERC) has granted CWA’s request for Interim Relief, overturning the Governor’s order that the day after Thanksgiving will be a work day. PERC has ordered that State Workers will now have the day off as provided in the MOA (No Layoff Agreement).
In its ruling PERC found that CWA and the other Unions representing State Workers met our burden of proof in this case. It cited the irreparable harm caused by the Governor’s order which would keep members from having this day off. PERC also noted the importance of maintaining the enforceability of our MOA.
This decision is an important victory, not only because it will allow members to spend this day with our family and loved ones, but because it is a rebuke of the Governor, who seems determined to try and find any way he can to violate our MOA. Once again members can be proud of the No Layoff Agreement and the fight to win language which is enforceable and “Christie-proof. "


 

CWA Goes to Court to Enforce MOA Language on PLB Days
November 3

CWA has filed a Notice of Appeal with the Superior Court’s Appellate Division contesting the State’s actions regarding the use of Paid Leave Bank (PLB) days by state workers. We are asking the court to overturn the Civil Service Commission ruling that all PLB days must be used by June 30, 2012.
The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) between CWA and the State of NJ states very clearly that we are able to carry-over PLB days indefinitely. We intend to enforce this provision of the MOA as well as any other aspect of the agreement the Governor may try to violate.
It will likely be some time before the court issues a decision in this matter, but it will be decided in advance of the State-ordered deadline and before members are required to make a decision about the use of PLB days. While there are no guarantees on how the court will rule, we negotiated the PLB language to be enforceable and expect to prevail.
In short, if you would like to use your PLB days feel free to do so -- but do not feel pressured to use this time or feel discouraged by any management pronouncements regarding this time. We will keep members informed as to the status of our court challenge.
Thank you for your patience as we await action from the court. If you have any questions on this or any other matter, please see your Shop Steward or call the Local office at (973) 623-1828.


OLD NEWS 

August 20- Watch Shop Stewards fight back by attending legislative one on one meetings:

May 25- Check out the 35,000 people who rallied in Trenton May 22, at the Standing Up and Standing Together Rally. View all images and video here, including a video of Chris Shelton's speech at the rally.
.


May 18- Information for Childcare Providers receiving revised New Jersey Cares for Kids (NJCK) Agreements for children in their care can be found here.

 

 

Check out the new "Political Action" section on our website to get the scoop on who your representatives are!

 

 

About CWA Local 1037

CWA Local 1037 represents more than 10,000 workers at over 400 worksites in both the public and private sector in NJ. We represent public workers employed by the State in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Hunterdon, Middlesex, Monmouth, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Somerset, Sussex, Union, and Warren Counties as well as the NJ Water Supply Authority, the Palisades Interstate Park Commission, the Passaic County Board of Social Services, and Somerset County Mental Health.
We also represent in-home child care providers, community care residential providers and workers at direct care and other non-profit organizations across the state, such as Bergen’s Promise, Essex County ARC, Jersey City Employment and Training Program (JCETP), and New Jersey Performing Arts Center (NJPAC).

 

 

On Myspace? Add Local 1037 as your friend!