New Jersey State Workers Battle Benefit Cuts

As early bargaining for 40,000 CWA-represented state workers in New Jersey got underway, CWA sent a clear message to the state legislature not to interfere in the collective bargaining process. 

At the bargaining table this week, CWA District 1 Vice President Chris Shelton said the union would do everything in its power to protect the principle of collective bargaining and to stop any assault on the gains state workers have made. 

Some members of the state legislature want public workers to bear the brunt of the state's budget deficit — as well as proposed property tax cuts — and are calling for big cuts in public workers' health care and retirement security.

Some legislators even want to cut lump sum sick leave retirement pay and reduce the number of holidays for state workers, among other cuts.

CWAers also packed a hearing of the Joint Legislative Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform in Trenton on Oct. 12 to deliver the same message: the legislature shouldn't interfere with collective bargaining.

CWA Locals 1031, 1032, 1033, 1034, 1037, 1039 and 1040 are mobilizing members for what could be a very tough round of bargaining, Shelton said.

CWA has pointed out that tax cuts for the rich and other irresponsible budget gimmicks over the years have caused the budget deficit. Over years of bargaining, CWA public workers in New Jersey have sacrificed wages and agreed to increases in out of pocket health care costs to keep health care and retirement security.

The current contract expires June 30, 2007.