Tough Bargaining Starts This Week in New Jersey

Tough bargaining gets underway March 11 covering 40,000 CWA state workers in New Jersey. Teachers and other public workers also will be bargaining new contracts.

CWA and other union members throughout New Jersey have been fighting back against Gov. Chris Christie's attack on public workers' bargaining rights, pensions and health care. A support rally for Wisconsin and New Jersey workers two weeks ago brought 10,000 activists to Trenton in the pouring rain to take a stand for workers' rights.

Lobby Days set for March 14 and March 21 will again bring thousands of supporters to the state capitol to tell legislators and the governor: Hands off our bargaining rights.

Christie and some state politicians are pushing legislation to remove health care from collective bargaining. Christie wants to do the same with pension demands that include a 25 percent cut in benefits with a 60 percent increase in worker contributions.

In a town hall meeting this weekend, when asked if he wanted to reform or abolish the civil service, Christie said, "Abolish it."

Christie claims he's willing to bargain, but his demands and legislative scheming would make it impossible to negotiate over health care and pensions. When it comes to wages, Christie is demanding a cap that would virtually eliminate workers' ability to bargain over pay.

New Jersey state workers already contribute to their pensions and health care. In fact, CWA members have made regular contributions to the plan over the past 15 years, never missing a contribution. The state government has not made any contributions in 13 of the past 17 years, a big factor in the pension plan shortfall.

CWA state workers are willing to do their fair share. That means shared sacrifice and keeping the fundamental right to bargain collectively.