We have an exciting update on healthcare! CWA and 16 other unions in our Coalition reached an agreement with Governor Sherrill on state workers’ healthcare that includes no cost shifting — 0% increase in healthcare contributions for our members — and a real commitment to address the root causes of the broken State Health Benefits Plan.

This week’s progress — shielding state workers from increased rates and securing the Sherrill Administration’s commitment to structural reforms to fix the SHBP — is a direct result of our members’ action throughout this campaign.

• Lobby days and meetings with legislators
• Mass mobilizations, in record numbers, at the State House
• Packing Plan Design Committee (PDC) meetings, State Health Benefits Commission (SHBC) meetings, and budget hearings
• Changing public narrative to help expose the hospital and health insurance industries for what they are: corporatized healthcare driving up costs for everyone

This is a big win for State workers, but it’s not the finish line. The cost of healthcare plans continues to skyrocket across the state, in every job sector. We’ve successfully shielded our full time State Workers from the impact of these increases for another year, but every time the overall plan costs go up, our work at the bargaining table becomes that much more difficult. There will be more attempts to push those costs onto us and eat into our other bargaining items like other benefits and raises.

Today we celebrate an important step in the right direction, but our work isn’t over! We’ve built real momentum and will continue to organize and fight for the meaningful, lasting healthcare reforms all of our members deserve.

In Solidarity,

Kathleen Hernandez, President

CWA Local 1031, AFL-CIO

Every year at the August executive board meeting, CWA Local 1031 gives its members fourteen $500 scholarships and three $500 dependent care grants.

To be eligible, you must be a full, dues-paying member of Local 1031. If you aren’t yet a member, you can see your branch president, shop steward, or go to www.cwa1031.org/join to fill out a union card.

Entries are due by 5:00 PM on August 5th.

Full rules and more information are on the application form, which is available HERE

Over 3,000 CWA Members and Retirees Rally in Trenton, Demand New Jersey Act on Healthcare Affordability

At the “Fund Healthcare, Not Corporate Profit” rally, workers called on state leaders to lower costs without shifting more of the burden onto workers, retirees, local governments, and families

More than 3,000 CWA District 1 members, retirees, elected officials, local leaders, and allies rallied at the New Jersey State House Annex on Thursday, June 18, calling on state leaders to confront New Jersey’s healthcare affordability crisis.

Members took their case directly to the State House, meeting with and hearing from a slate of legislators, labor leaders, and local officials.

The rally called on state leaders to adopt practical reforms, including stronger oversight of healthcare vendors and carriers, real transparency in pricing and drug costs, PBM reform and competitive bidding, and claims audits to root out waste. Above all, members called for protecting the State Health Benefits Program so it stays strong, affordable, and sustainable for the workers and retirees who depend on it.

Read more about the rally from CWA District 1 here…

RALLY JUNE 18th FOR AFFORDABLE HEALTHCARE

State House Annex, Trenton, NJ – 12:00 PM

• More information on the rally & sign up for updates
• Email your branch president or shop steward to learn about attending, ride sharing, and other information

It’s time for our elected leaders to step up and put us before corporate CEOs! Healthcare premiums will be one of the biggest items on the table when we bargain our contract next year, and we need real solutions to this issue now to contain costs.

Can’t Attend the Rally?

All members can send an email to your legislators!

Tell them to fix our broken tax system so that people and corporations making over $5 million per year pay their fair share in taxes so our communities are funded and we can contain skyrocketing healthcare costs as we bargain our next contract.

• Click here to email your legislators now!

We’ve shouldered the financial burden in this state for far too long. While corporate CEOs boast about record profits, our costs just go up and up – especially when it comes to our healthcare. And corporations and the super-rich get away with paying a lower tax rate than the rest of us, leaving us to make up the difference.

It’s time to fix this!

• Invite your friends, family, and co-workers – share this flyer!