Bargaining Updates - Major Victories by Public Workers in New Jersey and New York!

HISTORIC VICTORY FOR 35,000 NEW JERSEY STATE WORKERS

Following several months of bargaining, as well as strong mobilization by the membership, CWA has reached a historic tentative agreement with the State of New Jersey covering 35,000 workers represented by Locals 1031, 1032, 1033, 1036, 1037, 1038, and 1040.

After bargaining kicked off earlier this year, CWAers have shown solidarity, patience, and strength - members stood together for job actions, spoke out on social media about the importance of this contract, and marched through the streets of Trenton to deliver a petition signed by 10,000 workers to State representatives.

Hundreds of CWA members marched to the Capitol Building in Trenton

While tens of thousands of members mobilized, Local and District leadership stood firm at the bargaining table to win the strongest NJ State Worker contract in our history that includes significant salary growth, protects healthcare, recognizes that telework is a reality in many worksites that must be implemented fairly, and more. This contract also sets the stage for our fellow unions representing other state workers in New Jersey who are heading into their own negotiations; our members’ work over the past year will help strengthen the entire state.

“When CWA fights, we win, and the strength of this agreement is a testament to our membership’s solidarity and demand for dignity at work,” said CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis Trainor. “This tentative agreement delivers on our goals and sets a foundation for continued progress in several areas in the near future.”

CWA members covered by the Executive Branch contract should reach out to their locals for ratification information and schedule.

TENTATIVE AGREEMENT COVERING 8,000+ CITY OF NEW YORK WORKERS (LOCAL 1180)

On September 19th, CWA and the New York City Mayor’s Office announced a tentative agreement covering more than 8,000 City workers in a variety of roles across New York City government.

The new five-year contract is retroactive to December, 2021 and includes wage increases each year throughout the life of the contract; ratification bonus; increased welfare contributions; expansion of the number of workers entitled to experience differentials, longevity, recurring increment payments and annuity contributions; a joint labor/management committee tasked with developing a flexible work pilot; and more.

“Local 1180 members are part of the essential city workforce that provides services to all New Yorkers who count on us every day to make sure they have what they need,” said CWA Local 1180 President Gloria Middleton. “I am pleased we all worked together to negotiate in good faith to bring our contract to conclusion.”

NYC BOARD OF ELECTION WORKERS RATIFY NEW CONTRACT (LOCAL 1183)

Elections matter - and so do election workers! On October 4th Local 1183 members, who help ensure that New Yorkers are able to exercise their democratic rights, voted overwhelmingly to ratify their new contract. The new five year agreement, covering 840 Board of Election workers, was settled in late August and includes a slew of big wins, including wage increases, ratification bonus, longevity increment increases, welfare contribution increase, and no givebacks.

FORDHAM GRADUATE WORKERS KEEP THE PRESSURE ON FOR THEIR FIRST CONTRACT (LOCAL 1104)

After several months of hard bargaining during which management has dragged their feet and repeatedly refused to make any real compromises, graduate workers at Fordham University - members of the Graduate Student Employees Union/CWA Local 1104 - came to their first set of tentative agreements as part of their overall first union contract. The TAs guarantee the workers academic freedom and a labor management committee.

Although it's a big step, there's still a lot of work to be done to win a contract, so CWAers are stepping up their mobilization and solidarity. On Saturday, October 7th, the members braved a rain storm to came out in force at Fordham's Homecoming festivities to show the university's President Tetlow that workers have the power, and that they will keep up their fight for a union contract.

WELFARE WORKERS SHOW THEIR SOLIDARITY AS THEY PREP FOR BARGAINING (LOCAL 1132)

Welfare workers in Warren County, NJ, are on the rise and gearing up for a strong contract campaign. Over 90% of these CWA Local 1032 members signed a solidarity petition in just one day, that reads, "We, the employees of Warren County Division of Temporary Assistance and Social Services, stand united in our call for respect on the job through a good union contract."