September 17, 2007 - 3:16pm
Katz calls National CWA position a "hatchet job"
By EditorCWA Local 1034 President Carla Katz says that the National union's filing of an amicus brief arguing that her participation in the collective bargaining agreement with the state violated union policy is a "thinly veiled political hatchet job for our Local's vocal opposition to a bad contract which we saw as going way too far in health care cutbacks."
"Now that members have seen those hurtful cutbacks take effect and are rightfully angry, Chris Shelton and those who supported this bad deal, have chosen to attack me and my Local to create a diversion from what they did. It's reprehensible and the members will not be fooled," said Katz.
"The only 'secret' negotiation on the state worker contract was the backroom deal cut by Chris Shelton and Bob Masters which our members opposed. Shelton is trying to place blame elsewhere but it belongs squarely in his lap. They should be ashamed."Sid Lehmann, an attorney for Katz and CWA Local 1034 says that "CWA's
internal procedures are not the law of the State of New Jersey. As a local president, elected by her members, Carla Katz had the responsibility to discuss issues important to those members with the employer, in this case the Governor. The National union’s claims to the contrary are wrong and ridiculous. Katz not only has the right to speak for her members fully but she is legally and constitutionally obligated to do so. That’s what good union leaders do every day of the week."
"This case has become the epitome of a misuse of the legal system as a way to attack political enemies. Tom Wilson is involved for no other purpose than to attack Governor Corzine and now Chris Shelton has pushed the National CWA to attempt to intervene for no other purpose than to retaliate against Carla Katz and Local 1034 for having the audacity to oppose the contract. CWA's brief adds absolutely nothing to the legal argument," said Lehmann. "The National CWA's legal position on OPRA is identical to the one put forth in Katz's brief. Yet, shamefully, it has the potential to be misused by Tom Wilson to undermine collective bargaining rights for ALL public workers by setting bad legal precedent in motion and limiting OPRA protections. The National's move today, plays right into Wilson's hands, and has the potential to hurt many New Jersey workers and their families."
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Katz is legally and constitutionally obligated
first time the constitution has been invoked as a defense of the positions she allowed herself to take on behalf of her membership? What a humanitarian really.
Only Fighter
Katz was the only CWA Union leader who put up any type of fight for the membership during the contract negotiations. The National Union and the other CWA leaders only wanted to settle as quick as possible and get out of town. She stood up for her membership. The other Union leaders only sold their membership a phony bill of goods. The CWA is a weak organization that is being exposed. Keep fightin' Carla!
Katz is an embarassment.
This woman could be the ultimate reason why Corzine fails as governor and never reaches his dream of national political prominence. He can get away with this nonsense in a state where the media is a virtual extension of the Democratic Party. He'll have to answer to this relationship in far greater detail in any confirmation process or national campaign. What amazes me is her outright arrogance and disdain for the public. Equally amazing is the lack of effort by an NJ reporter or media outlet to really dig and find out what exactly took place here.
Carla
She's the best thing that has happened to the inept state employees union since it's inception. As a Republican, speaking to you above, don't you believe in someone's privacy? What a hypocrite. Come back now with a witty response.
Wilson is a TOOL
This is obviously an attack by the National because they feel threatened by Katz (her local is the largest).
And if Wilson spent half the time helping our party that he does attacking Katz maybe our party would actually make some progress.
Legally Wilson is right
Legally Wilson is right though, if the Union says she has no right or power to negotiate with Corzine through email, then the emails are not privileged.
Where Does Bill "Mr. Ethics" Baroni Stand"
Why hasn’t Baroni weighted in with his usual comments?
Because he is being endorsed by Katz's Union and doesn't want to alienate her and lose her support?
He was quick to ask for the resignation of indicted Assembly despite the fact that the US Constitution states that you are innocent until proven guilty.
Damn...she must be good in bed...
Union leader sleeping with the gov. receives millions in gifts, represents the interests of the laborers.. invokes her constitutional right to privacy in a NJ court over secret emails during negotiations..state and union that is.. Sounds like a bad porno script. Come-on, if it's only private emails, we lowly private citizens need some entertainment, unless of course it's really bad porno.So why all the fuss I wonder?
Now what am I to believe!?
Now what am I to believe!? Our Governor says he never had any discussions with Katz about collective bargaining, that all discussions were private in nature. But Katz's attorney said she "had the responsibility to discuss issues important to those members with the employer, in this case the Governor". These two really need to get their stories straight.
Good comment
About phony Bill Baroni. He's such a hypocrite, it makes you cringe. Funny thing is, he's one of the "anonymous" contributors on this site, so it's funny to watch him kiss his own rearend on a regular basis. (Didn't want to use the donkey reference, might get sanctioned by the Almighty Mr. Anonymous).