The New Jersey State AFL-CIO was proud to join today with top New Jersey elected officials – Senator Barbara Buono, Senate President Steve Sweeney, Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver, and Newark Mayor Corey Booker – along with many community partners, during two events to support approval of this year’s ballot initiative to raise the minimum wage. The event was organized as part of the Working Families United for New Jersey, Inc. “Raise the Wage” campaign.

Endorsement Decisions Made for all 120 State Legislative Seats and a Slate of 60 Rank-and-File Union Members Running for Public Office

ATLANTIC CITY – “New Jersey State AFL-CIO conference delegates voted overwhelmingly today to endorse Senator Barbara Buono for governor,” said New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech. “Senator Buono has a consistent and clear record of supporting New Jersey’s working families. She is the only candidate who understands that in order to grow our economy we need to work from the bottom up – ensuring access to a quality education, family-sustaining jobs, and economic opportunities to achieve a middle class lifestyle.”

And Endorses Secretary-Treasurer Liz Shuler & Executive Vice President Arlene Holt-Baker as part of national AFL-CIO Leadership Team

ATLANTIC CITY – “A focused vision, strong leadership, and an unflagging commitment to building the labor movement are among the many reasons that New Jersey State AFL-CIO conference delegates voted unanimously to endorse Richard Trumka for a second term as President of the national AFL-CIO; Liz Shuler for Secretary-Treasurer; and Arlene Holt-Baker for Executive Vice President,” said New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech. “Union members are facing unprecedented attacks which threaten to erase generations worth of workplace rights and protections, but there is no leadership team better suited or capable of navigating the labor movement’s current challenges than the one endorsed today.”

On behalf of the more than one-million-member New Jersey State AFL-CIO, we express our opposition to Governor Christie’s decision to hold a special election for New Jersey’s U.S. Senate seat just 20 days before the scheduled general election.  Experts estimate that the cost of scheduling this special election will be $12 million.

On behalf of the more than one-million-member New Jersey State AFL-CIO, we express our deep sadness at the passing of U.S. Senator Frank Lautenberg.

This Memorial Day, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO remembers our brave service men and women who gave their lives in defense of our country and freedoms. We honor our soldiers for their selflessness and their sacrifice. These men and women are the pride of our nation, and we are ever grateful to them.

A report released today by PolitiFact NJ in the Star-Ledger confirms some disturbing facts regarding Governor Christie’s policies. PolitiFact found that in 2010, the Governor made two cuts to education which totaled about $1 billion. The study also found that the Christie administration is on target to hand out $2.3 billion is corporate tax breaks, which is almost double the $1.2 billion spent on corporate tax breaks over the entire previous decade.

Broad Coalition Testifies Against Civil Service “Broadband” Regulation
 
Senate Passes First Responders Protection Act (S-1778) & Privatization Cost Analysis Bill (S-968)
 
It was a busy legislative day today in Trenton with lawmakers advancing several key bills supporting working families.  The New Jersey State AFL-CIO thanks Prime Sponsor Assemblywoman Huttle and Chairman Joe Egan for posting A-998 in the Assembly Labor Committee.  The bill requires cost analysis for the privatization of contracts, among other pro-worker provisions.  The New Jersey State AFL-CIO testified in support of the bill which passed mostly on party lines with Democrats Egan, Wagner, Albano, DeAngelo, O’Donnell and Coughlin voting “yes” and Republicans Space and Webber voting “no.”  Assemblyman Dancer abstained.