Standing with Labor in Flemington

by: Jeff Doshna

Wed Apr 06, 2011 at 07:51:21 AM EDT

As I wrote about last week, Flemington Mayor Erica Edwards has refused to have any meaningful conversations with union representatives from Teamsters Local 469 about how to save money and avoid lay-offs in this year's municipal budget.

Earlier this week, after public pressure, there was  a meeting with Teamsters representatives and Mayor Edwards, Council President John Gorman and Democratic Councilwoman Sandy Borucki.  According to Michael Broderick of the Teamsters, Edwards stated that she would not negotiate any changes nor would she discuss the budget problems as it reflects the 2011 crisis.  

Her plans are to eliminate at least one but perhaps as many as 4 employees of the 9 union workers in town.

I know that this isn't Wisconsin, but I'm asking folks to come out to the next Flemington Borough Council Meeting, April 11th at 7 PM.  Stand with labor, stand up for common sense, and demand that Union-proposed budget-saving measures be considered by the Mayor and Council.

[UPDATE] Letter to the editor published online today from the Union's representative