Victory in Camden, NJ

 

After months of mobilization and pressure by CWA members, the City Council of Camden, NJ has announced it will no longer consider a proposal to privatize the City’s 911 emergency call center operators. By forming a strong coalition of community allies, CWA Local 1014 and other locals in Camden County successfully defeated the privatization proposal that would have affected 25 police dispatchers who field emergency calls in the City of Camden.  This is a huge victory that protects middle-class jobs and preserves public safety for residents and businesses in Camden.   In July, CWA locals in Camden County organized a rally with community allies to oppose the privatization. In addition to at least five CWA Locals, those in attendance included local leaders from the NAACP, the religious community, and immigration rights activists.  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. Consisting of unions and community allies. In February, members of the coalition joined CWA members at the City Council meeting to protest the first steps of the privatization scheme.   “These workers have been loyal to the city and we're happy the city is showing loyalty in return," said Karl Walko, Local 1014 President.  Thank you to our brothers and sisters who supported the mobilization efforts. When we fight back, we win!

After months of mobilization and pressure by CWA members, the City Council of Camden, NJ has announced it will no longer consider a proposal to privatize the City’s 911 emergency call center operators. By forming a strong coalition of community allies, CWA Local 1014 and other locals in Camden County successfully defeated the privatization proposal that would have affected 25 police dispatchers who field emergency calls in the City of Camden.  This is a huge victory that protects middle-class jobs and preserves public safety for residents and businesses in Camden.  

In July, CWA locals in Camden County organized a rally with community allies to oppose the privatization. In addition to at least five CWA Locals, those in attendance included local leaders from the NAACP, the religious community, and immigration rights activists. 

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. Consisting of unions and community allies. In February, members of the coalition joined CWA members at the City Council meeting to protest the first steps of the privatization scheme.  

“These workers have been loyal to the city and we're happy the city is showing loyalty in return," said Karl Walko, Local 1014 President. 

Thank you to our brothers and sisters who supported the mobilization efforts. When we fight back, we win!