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.
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!”
The March 2025 Healthcare Ombudsperson Newsletter has been released.
Each month, the CWA Healthcare Ombudsperson program publishes a newsletter with information about the State Health Benefits Program. This month’s topics include direct primary care, COBRA benefits, and mental health and recovery programs.
CWA Local 1031 encourages all of its members in both state and local government to sign up for and attend this important webinar.
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!
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)