CWAers Throughout New Jersey Say: It’s Time to Put a STOP to Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs!

On June 4 thousands of CWA members working in State and Local Government public sector positions braved the soaring heat to turn out for a massive rally at the New Jersey State House Annex in Trenton to deliver a message to state lawmakers: we need action NOW to stop and contain healthcare costs for New Jersey’s public sector workforce!

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Since 2022, healthcare premiums for State workers have increased by 40% while local government workers have seen a 59% compounded increase. At the bargaining table, CWA has worked to protect members from the full impact of these increases, but we need legislative action to contain costs for State workers, gain parity for Local Government workers, and make New Jersey more affordable for all.

CWA members were joined by a coalition of other unions including the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, AFSCME NJ, AAUP-AFT, AFT New Jersey, The Council of New Jersey State Colleges, URA-AFT, HPAE, IFPTE, as well as NJ State Assemblymembers Cody Miller and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson at the rally, filling the Annex square and speaking about the growing crisis of affordability for working families in New Jersey

“I have something to say to this state and to this country,” said Billy Gallagher, CWA District 1 Assistant to the Vice President, addressing the massive crowd. “Anyone who thinks unions are going away, take a picture of today, ‘cause we’re not going away! We’re fighting for our rights, and we’re gonna keep fighting!”

The rally was part of a larger campaign spearheaded by CWA to fight for common-sense cost control and solutions like claims auditing, enforcing existing contracts with insurance carriers, and fair pricing that would rein in the costs of care overall, generating enormous savings for the State, local governments, and workers.

"When we get a raise, they take a higher percentage of our pay and pretty much leave some of our members wondering, 'Did we even get a raise at all?'" said Tammy Carr, CWA Local 1084 Vice President. "A promotion should NEVER equate to a decrease in pay! A transformational contract should include healthcare that avoids price-gouging. We should NOT be penalized for needing healthcare!"

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