Uniting in Camden for a Fair Contract

 

On August 12th, in a display of power and solidarity members of Local 1014 and 1084 rallied to send a clear message to management: City workers and Camden County Board of Social Services workers are united and powerful and demand contracts that improve standards for hundred of workers in Camden.  The two afternoon marches and rallies between the two locals united 275 workers in support of each other. Members were equipped with whistles and wore red t-shirts emblazoned with the words “Stand Up Fight Back - CWA Camden Coalition.” Both locals have been without a contract: Local 1014 contract expired in December 2014 and Local 1084 contract expired in 2013.  Workers from both Locals have stood with the city and worked under enormously challenging situations. 

.@CWALocal1014 & #CWALocal1084 UNITED & POWERFUL for fair contracts for Camden City & Social Services workers! pic.twitter.com/ATxh3fNm8k

— CWA New Jersey (@CWA_NJ) August 12, 2015

Local 1014 represents 311 workers in the City of Camden. Due to billions in dollars of tax cuts for the wealthy in New Jersey under Governor Christie, municipal budgets have been slashed and services have been degraded. As a result, City workers faced mass layoffs of 114 workers in 2011 and took 26 furlough days in 2010, equating to a 20% pay-cut that year. Workers also took 0-percent raises in two years while paying more in pension and health benefits due to reform passed by Governor Christie in 2010. Local 1084 represents 450 workers at the Camden County Board of Social Services. Caseloads for Social Services workers in Camden have exploded in recent years. Food stamp caseload has gone up 70% since 2008. Everyday lines of needy people who are afraid and upset and not sure where their children’s next meals are coming from go around the building. Yet there has been a 30% decrease in staff since 2005.  The protest was the latest in CWA-led efforts to develop a more robust progressive coalition in Camden.  A year ago, three CWA locals who represent workers in Camden formed the Camden Coalition. Just last month, the Coalition rallied and successfully protected the jobs of 25 emergency call center operators by defeating a privatization scheme that would have undermined the safety of City residents and businesses. It is time for City and County officials to get serious about negotiating a contract that improves standards for workers and improves services for the people these workers serve. Workers in Camden deserve fair contracts and we’ll keep fighting until they get it. 

On August 12, in a display of power and solidarity members of Local 1014 and 1084 rallied to send a clear message to management: City workers and Camden County Board of Social Services workers are united and powerful and demand contracts that improve standards for hundred of workers in Camden.

The afternoon marches and rallies between the two locals united 275 workers in support of each other. Members were equipped with whistles and wore red t-shirts emblazoned with the words “Stand Up Fight Back - CWA Camden Coalition.” While each local has done previous contract mobilization, the rally represented the first time both locals were out mobilizing together. “City workers and Social Services workers, as employees of Camden County we realize that we must fight these battles together because the people that we are fighting are the same people,” said Local 1084 President George Jackson at the rally.

The contract for City workers expired in December 2014 and the contract for Camden County Board of Social Services workers expired in December 2013.  Workers from both Locals have stood with the City and worked under enormously challenging situations.

Local 1014 represents a bargaining unit of 311 City workers in Camden. In 2009, Governor Christie slashed more than $100 million in municipal aid to the City of Camden, forcing municipal budgets to be slashed.  As a result, the quality of life for City workers has been drastically eroded. Workers faced 114 layoffs in 2011 and took 26 furlough days in 2010, equating to a 20% pay-cut that year. They also took 0% raises in two years while paying more in pension and health benefits due to the sweeping attacks on public workers signed into law in 2011. Many workers have dealt with losing their homes or cars even as they continue to work full-time.

Local 1084 represents 450 workers at the Camden County Board of Social Services. Caseloads for Social Services workers in Camden have exploded in recent years. Food stamp caseload has gone up 70% since 2008 and workers have enrolled thousands of Camden residents eligible to receive healthcare under the Affordable Care Act. Everyday, lines of clients who are afraid and upset stretch around the building. And as caseloads nearly doubled, there has been a 30% decrease in staff since 2005.

The protest was the latest in CWA-led efforts to develop a more robust progressive coalition in Camden.  A year ago, four CWA locals who represent workers in Camden formed the Camden Coalition. Just last month, the Coalition rallied and successfully protected the jobs of 25 emergency call center operators by defeating a privatization scheme that would have undermined the safety of City residents and businesses.

It is time for City and County officials to get serious about negotiating a contract that improves standards for workers and improves services for the people these workers serve. Workers in Camden deserve fair contracts and will keep fighting until they win.