As of 6:00 a.m. this morning, about 1,000 members of UNITE HERE Local 54 went out on strike at the Trump Taj Mahal. We ask that you please support our brothers and sisters by joining their picket line, which will run around the clock, and informing others of the strike before the busy 4^th of July weekend.

UNITE HERE Local 54 was engaged in negotiations with five Atlantic City casinos and managed to reach agreements with Tropicana Atlantic City, Bally’s Atlantic City, Caesars Atlantic City, and Harrah’s Resort before today’s strike deadline.

Organizing workers is a crucial pillar of the labor movement, and RWDSU Local 108 is steadfast in its commitment to growing the ranks of union membership in our state. Building on its successful track record of organizing workers, Local 108 was recently certified as the union representative for 40 employees at the Hasbrouck Heights Department of Public Works. The New Jersey State AFL-CIO welcomes these workers to our union family and congratulates them on their choice to secure a seat at the table and a voice on the job.

The New Jersey Senate approved legislation to phase in a $15 minimum wage on Thursday, sending this progressive pro-worker legislation advocated by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO to the governor’s desk.

The 21-18 vote was mostly along party lines, with all Republicans voting no and all Democrats but three voting yes. CLICK HERE to see the full roll call vote.

With Transportation Trust Fund legislation (S-2111/A-11 & S-2412/A-10) being released from Committee with bipartisan support on Thursday, we now look to Monday when we anticipate the bills being posted in both houses.

We respectfully ask all affiliates to come to the State House on Monday, June 27, 2016, to personally speak with legislators and urge them to support these important bills. Caucuses begin at 10:00 a.m. and the first voting session begins at 1:00 p.m.

More than 600 delegates, representing 1,000 labor unions and one million members and their families, convened at Harrah’s Atlantic City on June 21-22, 2016, for the purpose of officer elections, candidate endorsements and outlining the priorities of the state labor movement. On Tuesday, delegates voted unanimously to reelect President Charles Wowkanech, Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan and all members of the Executive Board.

“The work of this convention is an integral part of our organization’s ongoing success and ensures that working families will continue to have a leading voice on the job and at all levels of government,” stated President Charles Wowkanech. “The bipartisan slate of candidates, unanimously approved by the delegates, all possess the leadership, expertise and values needed to uplift and empower our state’s working families during these challenging economic times.”

CLICK HERE for complete list of endorsement decisions.

ATLANTIC CITY – More than 600 delegates attending the New Jersey State AFL-CIO 29^th Constitutional Convention at Harrah’s Resort have reaffirmed the leadership of President Charles Wowkanech and Secretary-Treasurer Laurel Brennan by unanimously re-electing the executive officers to a four-year term.

Wowkanech and Brennan were first elected executive officers in 1997. Under their leadership, the New Jersey State AFL-CIO has been supporting one million union brothers and sisters and their families in the fight for good jobs, a growing economy, middle-class values and a progressive agenda.

“As a senior member of the New Jersey State AFL-CIO Executive Board, I have worked alongside Charlie and Laurel from the beginning, and I’ve always known them to be dedicated, progressive and inclusive representatives to all sectors of the labor movement,” said Raymond Pocino, vice president and eastern regional manager of Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA). “Charlie and Laurel are well-respected among their peers in labor because they lead by example – they are always on the front lines on behalf of New Jersey’s working families. No one works harder, longer or more diligently than they do.”

“Unions Helped Build the Greatest Middle Class in History.” – Hillary Clinton.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO is proud to share news of the national AFL-CIO’s endorsement of Hillary Clinton for President of the United States.

The endorsement by the general board reflects a comprehensive democratic process to serve the interests of the 12.5 million working men and women that the AFL-CIO represents.

The New Jersey State AFL-CIO congratulates Rep. Chris Smith (CD-4) for being named one of the 25 hardest working members of Congress, according to the conservative media outlet, Newsmax.

Chris Smith has been representing New Jersey’s 4^th Congressional District for 35 years, and is now the Dean of New Jersey’s Congressional delegation. The district spreads across the mid-center of the state from the Delaware River to the Jersey Shore, encompassing 44 cities and towns in Mercer, Monmouth and Ocean counties.