The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is working hand-in-hand with legislative leadership to build upon the success of our state’s paid family leave program. The introduced legislation, S-3085, is being championed by Senate President Stephen Sweeney and Senator Patrick Diegnan, who hosted a roundtable discussion at the statehouse today, featuring New Jersey State AFL-CIO President Charles Wowkanech and advocacy group representatives.

Our brothers and sisters from Teamsters Local 701 have been locked out by the Shore Point Distributing Company, and there has been a wave of community solidarity in response to the employer’s egregious actions. We applaud the many local businesses who have decided to suspend business with Shore Point until the company ends the lockout. We also thank Belmar Mayor Matt Doherty, who will not permit Shore Point products to be sold at the NJ Seafood Festival.

We urge all affiliates to show their solidarity by joining our brothers and sisters on the picket line which will operate 24/7 in front of the company headquarters located at 100 Shore Point Drive; Freehold, NJ 07728. Don’t forget to wear your union colors.

While the U.S. House passed its amended health care plan today by a slim majority of 217 to 213, the fight to defend access to affordable health care for millions of Americans is not over. The bill still needs to get through the Senate where we must do everything in our power to stop it.

Call 866-829-3298 Now to Protect Our Health 

Trump/Ryan Care is back from the dead and getting pushed through the House at lightning speed. A vote is expected this morning, and we must band together to defeat the amended plan, which is worse than the original.

The best way to make your voice heard is to call 866-829-3298 right now and urge your representative to vote NO on the AHCA. If you would like more information on the destructive aspects of this plan, CLICK HERE. The New Jersey Delegation played a crucial role in stopping the original health care debacle, so outreach to your representatives will be key.

Congress is expected to recess from May 4^th to May 10^th and members of Congress are planning to host town halls in their home districts. This is an opportunity to make sure our representatives hear from us on the crucial issues being discussed in Washington, from health care and taxes to jobs and workers’ rights.

On its surface it may seem harmless, but a House bill modifying overtime rules would mean lower wages and more headaches for workers. At a time when working families are struggling to make ends meet, this type of out-of-touch representation is shameful.

May 1^st is International Workers Day. More than 10 million people across the country are expected to take to the streets to demand justice for working people and immigrants. The rules of trade and outdated immigration policies have put profit over people for too long, and the New Jersey State AFL-CIO continues to stand strong with our brothers and sisters in pursuit of justice.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO realizes that our efforts must extend beyond a single day of action and is a leader in the fight for immigrant rights in our state. Through a collaborative project with Hudson and Union County governments, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO spearheaded the creation of We Are One NJ, Inc., a non-profit organization that provides support services to legal permanent residents seeking to attain U.S. citizenship.

Every year on April 28^th, we take the time to honor workers who have lost their lives on the job and renew our commitment to fighting for every worker’s right to a safe, fair-paying job.

In the past we have won new protections for workers. When mine workers struggled with exposure to silica dust and beryllium, damaging their lungs and leading to cancer, we won new rules to limit exposure for mine workers and protect them from retaliation after reporting injuries and illness from job conditions.