The New Jersey State AFL-CIO’s political program shined on Election Day when a record number of our union brothers and sisters won their elections to offices ranging from school board and town council to mayor, freeholder and state Assembly. This year’s 47 labor candidate victories would not have been possible without the involvement and hard work of our volunteers!

Beginning in mid-September and continuing through Election Day, thousands of volunteers helped us reach hundreds of thousands of union members’ homes. Our unparalleled Get-Out-the-Vote program resulted in Election Day victories for three out of four union candidates, a phenomenal 73% win percentage.

President Charles Wowkanech issued the following statement on Gov. Christie's conditional veto of bills to aid Atlantic City:

"With the entire Atlantic City region in financial crisis, and thousands of casino workers laid off from their jobs, it is irresponsible for this governor to let a package of bills idle on his desk through the summer then announce today that he would not enact the critically needed aid measures. The governor’s inaction leaves tens of thousands of working families who were counting on relief in continued financial distress.”

Labor Delivers for Houghtaling (IBEW 400) and Downey in District 11

CLICK HERE for full election results.The New Jersey State AFL-CIO’s political education program is second to none, and the outstanding results of the November 3 election keep our momentum strong heading into the 2016 presidential race. We led union brothers and sisters to victories across the state, from school board and town council races to mayor, freeholder and state Assembly seats. A record 47 union members won their elections, a phenomenal win ratio of 73% for labor candidates on the ballot. No one delivers election results like our labor candidates program, which raised its total of election victories to 864!

Tomorrow, November 3, is Election Day, your opportunity to have your voice heard on the issues that matter most. It’s also your chance to be a voter for fellow union members and progressive candidates who have been endorsed by the New Jersey State AFL-CIO. By voting for candidates who uphold our union values and work for middle-class families, we have a say in the future of our economy and the future of our families.

Polls are open from 6:00 a.m. till 8:00 p.m. Whether you vote before work, after work, or on your lunch break, make it a priority to be a voter.

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, and victory is within our reach for 67 union members running for office as well as dozens of other New Jersey State AFL-CIO-endorsed candidates. Thank you Central Labor Councils, Building Trades Councils, affiliates and volunteers for your hard work on behalf of New Jersey State AFL-CIO-endorsed candidates this election season. Our work is almost – but not quite – finished.

Control of the New Jersey Assembly will be decided on Tuesday, as well as seats on county freeholder boards, mayor’s offices, local councils and school boards. This is your chance to be a voter and make your voice heard.

By Charles Wowkanech

A decision before next summer in a U.S. Supreme Court case you’ve probably never heard of has the power to significantly reduce employee earnings and compensation well into the future. The wealthy special-interest organizations financing the case have spent great sums to ensure that all workers earn lower pay, receive few if any retirement benefits and see their full-time jobs replaced with part-time work.

Right-wing billionaires like the Koch Brothers have partnered with Tea Party extremists and are reshaping the economy in their favor by making it even harder for working people like teachers, electricians, office workers and firefighters to get and stay ahead economically. This right-wing influence is making it harder every year for workers to join a union and negotiate wages and benefits that enable them to earn a decent living and build a better life.

Working Families Benefit When Labor Candidates Win

Everyone deserves the opportunity to earn a decent living and provide a good life for themselves and their families. But, we see more and more working people struggling to do just that. Wall Street is raking in record profits, but fewer of those dollars are winding up in the wallets of middle-class workers like us.

In just one year, We Are One New Jersey has cemented its place in the community as the provider of no-cost assistance for the tens of thousands of legal permanent residents who live, work and attend school in Hudson County but have not yet completed their journey to U.S. citizenship.