All posts by roman_CWA-1031

State Health Benefits Cost Increases – Update & Next Steps

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We all remember what happened in 2022 — a 20% increase in premiums that blindsided state workers with no warning, no transparency, and no accountability. We fought it then, we’ve been fighting it ever since, and unfortunately, we are back in that fight today — because once again, state workers are being forced to carry the cost of decisions we had no hand in making.
Here’s what’s happening right now:
Last week, the State Health Benefits Commission released a proposal for a 19.7% increase in state worker healthcare premiums.
At the same time, the Governor and Legislature passed a budget that includes $100 million in cuts to the SHBP — not real savings, but a budget gimmick that they will almost certainly try to make us bear the brunt of through increased costs or cuts to our care.
This wasn’t a mistake. This was a demand made in a backroom by Governor Murphy, and once again, state workers are being treated like a line item instead of the people who keep New Jersey running.
Let me be clear: this is a crisis, and CWA is not standing by. We’ve spent the past several months organizing and mobilizing, speaking with legislators, and building a broad coalition with a dozen other public worker unions to demand a solution to these unsustainable healthcare cost increases. And while the Governor has refused to negotiate or include us in the process, we have legislative allies who are standing with us, and a plan to fix this.
If you missed last night’s discussion and presentation, click here to watch the recording.
The only thing that changes the outcome is collective action. We’ve done it before — and we’ll do it again.

-Billy Gallagher, Assistant to the Vice President, CWA District 1

Upcoming Actions & Meetings


We’ll need big turnout for these! Reach out to your CWA Local for more details and how to attend
• Thursday, July 24 – Committee Hearing in the Assembly on our healthcare bill, A5903
• Monday, July 28 – State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP) Meeting

CWA Statement on State of NJ Budget

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Public Sector Unions Deliver Clear Message to Governor Murphy: You Have Betrayed Working People

Read more: CWA Statement on State of NJ Budget

Unions Representing 140,000 Workers and Retirees Slam Governor’s Backroom Budget Deal That Cuts $100 Million from Worker Healthcare

TRENTON, NJ – A coalition of public sector unions, including the Communications Workers of America (CWA) District 1, AFSCME New Jersey, AFT New Jersey, Rutgers AAUP-AFT, the Council of NJ State College Locals (CNJSCL), Union of Rutgers Administrators-American Federation of Teachers (URA-AFT), Rutgers Adjunct Faculty Union, Health Professionals & Allied Employees (HPAE), and IFPTE Local 195, NJ State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (NJSPBA)  issued a sharp rebuke of Governor Phil Murphy following today’s vote to pass the FY2026 budget, which breaks binding collective negotiations agreements with public employees and retirees and sides with insurers by imposing a $100 million cut to health benefits.

“This budget is a betrayal of the very working people who elected him into office,” said Billy Gallagher, Assistant to the Vice President, CWA  District 1. “Budgets are moral documents and this one makes painfully clear where Governor Murphy stands. Gov. Murphy has chosen to gut $100 million in health benefits for public sector workers and retirees.”

“What’s worse,” Gallagher continued, “for over a year and as recently as just three days ago, the labor members of the Plan Design Committee pushed for a plan design change that could save up to $1.1 billion in SHBP costs, without hurting workers. But the Administration refused to move it forward because it would have required renegotiating existing contracts with insurance carriers and Pharmacy Benefits Managers. It’s the height of  hypocrisy that Gov. Murphy has no concern about breaking our contract and bypassing collective bargaining with public employees.”

Despite revenue projections now being $700 million higher than prior estimates, the $100 million cut will be imposed on the State Health Benefits Plan (SHBP), bypassing collective bargaining and setting up a new, unilateral process. This will result in higher co-pays, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs for state employees and their families—at a time when the cost of living is already untenable. Additionally, this arbitrarily imposed cut comes less than two weeks before the expected premium rate report for plan year 2026 with expected increases of over 20% for state workers and as high as 30% for local governments.

Continue reading CWA Statement on State of NJ Budget →

2025 CWA Local 1031 Scholarships

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CWA Local 1031 is giving fourteen $500 Scholarships and three $500 Dependent Care Grants as a thank you to our members!

Winners will be selected at the August CWA Local 1031 Executive Board meeting to be held on Thursday, August 7, 2025. Awards are determined by luck of the draw, and winners will be contacted by email.

To apply, download and complete the form linked below, and return it to the CWA Local 1031 office by August 6th.

Remember, only members are eligible for these scholarships, but you can still fill out a card to become a member. Not only will you be eligible for the scholarship drawing, but you will also be supporting your coworkers as we fight for better wages, healthcare, and more! We are only able to provide these scholarships because of our members!

Contact the Governor & Reps NOW!

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CWA Action Alert When We Fight, We Win!We need to take action NOW.

In the final days of Fiscal Year 2026 budget negotiations for the state, Governor Murphy and the NJ State Legislature are trying to shift $100 million in healthcare costs onto us —breaking our contract and trying to balance the budget on our backs.

This is unacceptable.

Take 3 actions right now to demand that our elected leaders do their jobs and stand with us:

 

CWA Strong, municipal, news, state workers

CWA Action Alert When We Fight, We Win!We need to take action NOW.

In the final days of Fiscal Year 2026 budget negotiations for the state, Governor Murphy and the NJ State Legislature are trying to shift $100 million in healthcare costs onto us —breaking our contract and trying to balance the budget on our backs.

This is unacceptable.

Take 3 actions right now to demand that our elected leaders do their jobs and stand with us:

Continue reading →