Two New Contracts Ratified by CWA Local 1037 Members

Bergen’s Promise Contract

In April, workers at Bergen’s Promise, a nonprofit care management organization in New Jersey, voted unanimously to ratify their new contract! The new agreement comes after several months of bargaining, and the expiration of their previous contract on January 1st of this year. In March, members sent a strong message to management, with 97% signing a petition in solidarity.

The new contract includes significant wage increases, a second telework day, lower healthcare contribution percentages, and protects workers from being forced to work on weekends.

“Working in the mental health field, we know as well as anyone how important it is to prioritize our weekends and know in advance when we can decompress. That was non-negotiable in this process,” said Nigera Minkins, Shop Steward and Care Manager. “It was a long fight but worth it. It’s not a sprint; it’s a marathon. And our members being so engaged all the way made us feel like we could win this and not have to just accept the first offer management made.”

The Arc of Essex County

On May 11 and 12, The Arc of Essex County workers also voted overwhelmingly to ratify their new contract, which includes higher wages across the board, higher longevity bonuses, healthcare deductible maximums, increased clothing allowance, and more.

In the weeks leading up to the ratification vote, Local 1037 shop stewards held dozens of membership meetings to discuss the terms of the agreement and welcomed ten new members who were excited to vote for a fair contract.

“Bargaining for a fair contract has been a long process, but because of our unity and organization, we were able to stand strong and hold out for what we workers deserve. This contract ensures job, pay, and quality of life protections that we were not willing to compromise on,” said Adeline Clesca, Shop Steward.