Big Legislative Day in New Jersey Fighting for Our Worker Power Agenda!

February 20th was a packed day in Trenton, NJ with several big pieces of pro-worker legislation on the agenda.

CWA Local 1040 President Michele Long-Vickers helped kick off the day, speaking at a rally along with a coalition of labor and community groups in favor of “tax justice” ahead of Governor Phil Murphy’s final budget address. 

“We need financial investments in critical areas and government services that help our communities be safe, healthy, and economically secure. We won’t settle for less. TAX THE RICH!”

A recent study showed that New Jersey could raise nearly $4 Billion by raising taxes for the ultra-rich - this would be enough to cover the State’s budget deficit and protect vital services that working families rely on.

“We demand tax justice so that we can overcome the federal threats,” said CWA District 1 Vice President Dennis G. Trainor.

Later in the day, CWA Staff Representative Kristen Affrime testified before the NJ Assembly Labor Committee in favor of the NJ Heat Standard Bill to protect workers and make our members’ jobs safer. New Jersey is the third fastest-warming state in the country, and the dangers of extreme heat are growing year by year. This bill would require common-sense protections like limiting how long workers are exposed to extreme heat and providing emergency response to those suffering heat illness. Following the testimony by Kristen and other worker advocates, the bill was passed out of the Assembly Labor Committee and we are now advocating for Legislative leadership to bring it to full floor votes before the State Senate and Assembly.

CWA D1 Political & Field Director Anna-Marta Visky later testified alongside the New Jersey Working Families Party and other community organizations on Senate Bill 4142 which would redesign election ballots in New Jersey. We’re fighting to make our ballots clearer and fair and ensure that all candidates, not just Party insiders, have a fair shot.