Category Archives: CWA Strong

CWAers Throughout New Jersey Say: It’s Time to Put a STOP to Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs!

June 11, 2025CWA Strong, health, municipal, state workersroman_CWA-1031

CWA Local 1031 President, Kathy Hernandez, along with Billy Ghallager VP of D1 and other CWA 1031 officers & members at the healthcare rally

On June 4 thousands of CWA members working in State and Local Government public sector positions braved the soaring heat to turn out for a massive rally at the New Jersey State House Annex in Trenton to deliver a message to state lawmakers: we need action NOW to stop and contain healthcare costs for New Jersey’s public sector workforce!

Since 2022, healthcare premiums for State workers have increased by 40% while local government workers have seen a 59% compounded increase. At the bargaining table, CWA has worked to protect members from the full impact of these increases, but we need legislative action to contain costs for State workers, gain parity for Local Government workers, and make New Jersey more affordable for all.

CWA members were joined by a coalition of other unions including the New Jersey State AFL-CIO, AFSCME NJ, AAUP-AFT, AFT New Jersey, The Council of New Jersey State Colleges, URA-AFT, HPAE, IFPTE, as well as NJ State Assemblymembers Cody Miller and Verlina Reynolds-Jackson at the rally, filling the Annex square and speaking about the growing crisis of affordability for working families in New Jersey

“I have something to say to this state and to this country,” said Billy Gallagher, CWA District 1 Assistant to the Vice President, addressing the massive crowd. “Anyone who thinks unions are going away, take a picture of today, ‘cause we’re not going away! We’re fighting for our rights, and we’re gonna keep fighting!”

Photo of CWA workers rallying in Trenton, NJ

Continue reading CWAers Throughout New Jersey Say: It’s Time to Put a STOP to Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs! →

CWA District 1 – Emergency Meeting, Wed. April 2, 7pm

April 2, 2025CWA Strong, newsroman_CWA-1031

Join us for an emergency town hall this Wednesday, April 2nd at 7 pm to discuss the latest unprecedented attack on working people.

We don’t take this warning lightly, but unions are under attack like never before. After busting the TSA union earlier this month, this administration unilaterally and illegally ripped up the collective bargaining agreements of almost 1 million Federal Workers last week. This means that over a million union workers woke up to the news that they no longer have a union contract and no longer have dues deduction. This is an unprecedented attack on all workers.

We expect this is just the beginning. Corporate America and anti-union elected officials will likely now test the limits and attempt to go further by weakening collective bargaining and organizing rights for all of us.

But we can fight back, and we can win.

Please join us for an emergency Town Hall Call this Wednesday, April 2nd at 7 pm EST.

On the call, we will talk about what we can do right now to fight back, and we’ll be joined by a member of the Federal Union Network (FUN) who will discuss the next steps. Get out your walking shoes, it’s time to hit the streets in record numbers.

CWA members know: An Injury To One Is An Injury to All. When they come after our Federal workers and their unions, they come after us too.

Please register here to join this important call.

Webinar: CWA’s Campaign to Stop Skyrocketing Healthcare Costs

February 24, 2025CWA Strong, health, municipal, news, state workersroman_CWA-1031

CWA Local 1031 encourages all of its members in both state and local government to sign up for and attend this important webinar.

Wednesday, February 26, 2025 at 6:30 PM ET

Our healthcare costs are out of control – and we’re taking a stand to put a stop to it!

Healthcare contributions paid by public employees, particularly at the local government level, have become unaffordable. CWA is launching a major campaign to address the healthcare affordability crisis, and we’re going to need everyone to step up and stand together to take on the State and the insurance industry!

WATCH The Recording of the Webinar Here

State of NJ Budget for 2025 includes big wins for CWA members

July 31, 2024CWA Strong, news, state workersroman_CWA-1031

The New Jersey Legislature has finalized the Fiscal Year 2025 budget, capping off several months of hard work by CWA members advocating for budget items that will benefit working people, including making a FULL payment into our pension for the fourth year in a row. When we fight, we win!

More info here: CWA State Budget Info (PDF)

CWA Local 1031 Swears in Officers for New Term

January 17, 2024CWA Strong, newsroman_CWA-1031

On Friday, January 12th, CWA Area Director for NJ Fran Ehret joined Local 1031 for the swearing in of officers for their new term. Kathleen Hernandez, formerly Vice President of Local 1031 was sworn in as President, along with John Polk, Secretary-Treasurer, as well as presidents of CWA Local 1031’s branches across New Jersey.

Everyone at CWA Local 1031 would like to thank John Rose for his many years of hard work and leadership. John tirelessly fought for the best interests of his members and all state workers, making sure they were always well represented, regardless of who was in charge in Trenton. John Rose kept the labor movement’s promise of fair and equitable treatment for all, and we wish him nothing but the best as he enjoys his well-earned retirement. CWA 1031 will continue to follow his example as we head into the future.