Communications Workers of America

STATEMENT OF THE GOVERNOR REGARDING
STATE EMPLOYEE CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

TRENTON – Governor Jon S. Corzine this morning released the following statement regarding the early completion of state employee contract negotiations with the Communications Workers of America (CWA):

Senator William Gormley, (R-2), a member of the Joint Legislative Committee on Pension and Benefits Reform, today issued the following statement in response to published comments from a public employees’ union official that changes to the health benefits plan proposed by Senator Gormley could lead to a strike:

Some members of the Communications Workers of America have badly misjudged Governor Corzine. The Governor has shown he wouldn’t be intimidated by threats. I hope my Legislative colleagues will not be cowed by illegal and heavy-handed threats.

The changes I have suggested are essential if we want to slow the growth of property taxes and realize some savings without compromising the quality of health care for public employees. The proposal is not draconian and would simply bring the State Health Benefits Plan in line with most private employers in this state. The plan currently costs tax payers $4 billion a year. New Jersey tax payers would expect and support an update to the program so that it mirrors changes in the private sector. By adopting this proposal now, we can achieve savings that would alleviate the need to reduce the coverage provided to public employees.

We can not deliver property tax reform without squarely addressing spiraling health care costs. I hope my fellow legislators will ignore the bullying of the CWA and approve the modernizing of the Health Benefits Plan and that Governor Corzine will sign it into law.

Senator Gormley’s proposal would eliminate the point of service plan presently known as New Jersey Plus, which requires employees to select a primary care physician and requires referrals to all other health care providers. The plan would provide more flexibility to the state and other members of the State Health Benefits Program. It would permit, and in some cases require, cost sharing between employers and employees; include a number of cost-saving provisions that have long been used in the commercial insurance market; and give the State Health Benefits Commission greater flexibility in terms of managing or altering the plan. Currently state employees pay no premiums for participation in New Jersey Plus.

SCUTARI AND POU: BENEFITS REFORM PANEL ROUNDTABLE YIELDS INTERESTING IDEAS

(TRENTON) - During roundtable discussions held today, the Joint Legislative Committee on Public Employee Benefits Reform heard from numerous public employee unions and local government advocacy organizations during broad-ranging discussions that covered topics from two-tiered benefits systems to pension system funding to flexibility in choosing health care coverage.

Former Speaker and 13th Congressional District candidate Albio Sires picked up the organization of the powerful Communications Workers of America union this week, adding to his strength among key Democratic constituencies as he seeks the Democratic nomination against Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas. Vas had attempted to paint Sires as a candidate of the Democratic party organization, but Sires' continuing support from key labor groups undercuts Vas' contention. Sires' coalition of organizational and labor support appears to doom Vas' already uphill battle for the Democratic nomination.

The Communications Workers of America Endorse Albio Sires for Congress
Praise Former Speaker For Being A Champion of Working Families

(Rahway) - The Communications Workers of America today endorsed Speaker Albio Sires for Congress in the 13th Congressional District, citing his dedication to enhancing economic opportunities for working families throughout New Jersey. Chris Shelton, Vice President, CWA District One, endorsed Sires on behalf of the CWA.

"As Speaker, as a legislator and as a mayor, Albio Sires has always stood up for working families and now working families across New Jersey are standing behind Albio Sires in his bid for Congress," said Vice President Shelton. "Whether it is expanding job training programs, increasing job opportunities for workers or fighting for a real living wage, Speaker Sires has shown that he is committed to the working men and women of this state. I have no doubt that in Washington, he will fight just as strongly on our behalf."

As Assembly Speaker, Albio Sires has fought to expand job training programs, increase job opportunities workers, increase the minimum wage to $7.15 and provide tax credits to businesses that create jobs in the community.

"At a time when the Bush Administration is cutting Medicare funding, attempting to eradicate Social Security, undermining worker protections and waging an assault on collective bargaining, I am committed to going to Washington to ensure that the rights of working families are protected" said Speaker Sires. "I thank the CWA for its endorsement and pledge that I will continue to fight just as strongly on labor’s behalf in Washington as I have during my years in Trenton."

The Communications Workers of America is the nation’s largest communications and media union, representing 60,000 members in both the private and public sectors throughout New Jersey.

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Blee and Conover add CWA to long list of endorsements

PANTER & MORGAN EARN ENDORSEMENT FROM SERVICE EMPLOYEES INTERNATIONAL UNION
Call attention to Lawmakers' Stellar Record on Labor Issues

PANTER & MORGAN EARN ENTHUSIASTIC SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNICATION WORKERS OF AMERICA
Largest Communications Union Endorses Panter and Morgan

Support For 4th District Team Expanding Rapidly
Moriarty and Mayer Endorsed by University Officials, Workers and Citizen’s Groups

Showing clear momentum in their campaign for the Assembly, 4th District Democratic candidates Paul Moriarty and David Mayer announced the backing of an assortment of groups representing workers, professors, and consumers.