CWA Charges N.J. Governor with Refusal to Bargain

CWA has filed charges with the Public Employment Relations Commission in New Jersey over Gov. Chris Christie's refusal to bargain over public employee health care.

New Jersey's largest public worker union, CWA is bargaining for a new agreement covering 40,000 state workers. Their current contract expires June 30.

CWA State Director Hetty Rosenstein said, "New Jersey law is very clear. Public workers and their union sit down with the governor to negotiate the pay and benefits for thousands of state employees. That is how it has worked for 40 years, under Republican and Democratic governors alike.  

"Our union put forward a groundbreaking healthcare proposal that would save New Jersey taxpayers hundreds of millions of dollars," Rosenstein continued. "But for more than two months, Governor Christie has given no indication that he has even read it, let alone that he is prepared to respond to our proposal as he is legally required to do. The governor can talk tough, but no one is above the law."

CWA charges that Christie's refusal to bargain over health care violates the state's obligation to negotiate in good faith. CWA has called on the Commission to compel the governor to negotiate.

The editorial boards of the Newark Star-Ledger, Philadelphia Inquirer, Asbury Park Press and Times of Trenton also have called on Christie to bargain with CWA on health care.

The Star-Ledger praised CWA as "a responsible partner" in trying to help the state fix its financial problems. CWA's state-worker members "have a history of showing respect for the taxpayer by agreeing to freeze wages and contribute to their health care premiums," the editorial stated, urging Christie to show CWA the same respect.