Corzine's Self-Inflicted Wounds

by: princetonblue

Sat Jun 13, 2009 at 03:16:23 PM EDT

What I can't figure out is why the Governor picked a 8 month fight with CWA if this was all he wanted to achieve.   He's created a lot of bad blood with union members and can now be portrayed by Christie as caving in to CWA interests.  And it was so unnecessary.  I would think that had the Governor presented this agreement to CWA last December or January, he could have gotten an agreement.   And even if CWA hadn't agreed, is this agreement worth the public perception problem that the Governor has created for himself in the upcoming election?

I will be voting for Gov. Corzine in the fall, but I do think Christie is correct when he says that this agreement is a bad one for New Jersey and that it will cost more money in the long term than it saves in the short term.    I like the Governor but I think he has a tin ear for politics.  If he was going to pick the fight with CWA, he had to know he needed to have some real achievement to show for it.  Delaying a pay increase by 18 months doesn't seem like the achievement that voters want to see.

-pb

Joe Biden, a Picket Line and 2016

by: JRB

Wed Jun 03, 2009 at 11:47:10 AM EDT

Just how strongly is Joe Biden considering a third presidential bid in 2016? He's made more headlines for gaffes and botched jokes than he has for helping the President in moving legislation through the Senate or navigating G-20 leaders.... But if anyone understands that a successful political career is a marathon, not a sprint, it's Biden... and eight years is a long time.

Last night in New Jersey, the Vice President gave a speech to the Democratic faithful rallying behind Governor Jon Corzine, who faces a tough reelection campaign this fall. Biden's appearance had been hyped for weeks by nervous Jersey pols - a sign that the Obama administration would not hang the unpopular Governor out to dry... and yet it almost didn't happen. But not because Corzine has negative approval ratings... because Biden would not cross a picket line.

Where things stand on furloughs

by: Jason Springer

Sat Apr 18, 2009 at 02:23:11 PM EDT

"Given the economic crisis confronting the state and nation, and the fluid and rapidly unfolding circumstances in which we live, we find the statement of 'imminent peril' to be sufficient," the panel of three state appellate judges said in its decision.

But the ruling wasn't a complete win for the Corzine administration, as the judges also expressed concern that the sections of the rule allowing the temporary layoffs to be staggered, rather than done department-wide in one fell swoop, might not be appropriate because they change work conditions without negotiations with workers. The court put such furloughs - which are planned by almost all state departments, to at least a small degree - on hold while the Public Employment Relations Commission hears the matter.

State furloughs are scheduled to begin in three weeks for this budget year. But then we'll go through the process again. Whether it's a negotiating tactic or not, the Governor now says that unless union accepts 12 furlough days in the upcoming year and a wage freeze, he will be forced to lay off 9,000 state workers. That's up from the original number of 7,000 layoffs. The union still feels they are being scapegoated and plan to fight those efforts it appears. They say the governor should focus more on the wealthy and negotiate with the unions:

"We're in serious financial straits, but that doesn't give the state the right to single out the people who serve the public as it looks for savings," Rosenstein said.

Fast track for furlough hearing

by: Jason Springer

Wed Apr 08, 2009 at 12:30:00 PM EDT

A New Jersey appellate panel has agreed to fast-track arguments on legal motions by state worker unions trying to stop unpaid public worker furloughs.

The New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division will head arguments on April 16, unless the Civil Service Commission stays its rule allowing emergency furloughs.

Corzine, in Cherry Hill, said he?s ready for the battle to come:

"We'll wait for the decision of the appellate court. Presumably, that will be appealed also to the Supreme Court under either outcome."

Corzine's office said it will announce details about the furloughs soon. Rousseau said the exemptions would probably cover direct-care workers in places such as state psychiatric hospitals and veterans' homes as well as corrections officers and state police troopers.

That exempts thousands of workers from the one-day layoffs that begin next month.

"We are still having discussions. As of right now, it will probably be all state employees except direct care and law enforcement. We are working on other ways to get salary savings from them during that period of time, maybe in overtime or things like that," Rousseau said.

Rousseau said the state will save less money from the furloughs as a result and is negotiating with public employee unions to find other ways, such as reducing overtime pay rates, to save the same amount of cash.

CWA to challenge furloughs in court

by: Jason Springer

Mon Mar 30, 2009 at 10:30:00 AM EDT

Hetty Rosenstein, New Jersey area director of CWA, said Sunday public workers are angry about the commission's swift ruling and about proposed tax changes by Corzine.

"The governor's budget, as it is, has people who make $550,000 a year who are going to pay maybe $800 more in taxes, but a state worker who makes $50,000 a year is going to pay $4,100 based upon the cuts by the governor, between wage cuts and furloughs... It's not fair," Rosenstein said. "These are middle-class workers and working-poor workers. This is over an 8 percent cut, and they can't afford it.

"The governor said he wanted to negotiate. We were in discussions, and out of nowhere they passed an emergency civil service rule that creates these furloughs without negotiations," she said. "They gave us a 24-hour warning that they would pass the emergency act."

Rosenstein said state-worker unions will be going to court today to challenge the emergency ruling.

"I understand their frustration, but on the other hand we have a very serious budget gap," Corzine said after Sunday's convention of Democrats to endorse candidates. "I think it is a lot better to have people working and have health benefits than on the unemployment line."

PBA will sue to block furloughs

by: Jason Springer

Thu Mar 26, 2009 at 08:34:31 PM EDT

The New Jersey police union says it will sue the state to block public employee furloughs.

New Jersey Policemen's Benevolent Association spokesman Jim Ryan says his group will file suit Friday or Monday to stop an emergency rule allowing furloughs.

[snip]

Ryan says the PBA will seek to stay the rule at least until it can be clarified. As written, he says local and state governments do not have to prove financial hardship before laying off workers.

CWA Could Have Avoided Furloughs

by: firstamend07

Wed Mar 25, 2009 at 06:46:56 AM EDT

Corzine and CWA were both well aware of Article 41 in the contract that dealt with the withholding of funding for the pay raise.

CWA , in a ill advised , short sighted move decided to " stand up" to the Governor despite the fact that they had no political or legal support.

Instead of having a public " sacrafice"  deal with the Governor they pushed him into a corner.  They gave Corzine the opportunity to establish the furlough concept .

The failed CWA " stand" will now cost its membership 5% " real "money over the next 14 months.

CWA has stopped fighting the wage freeze idea. What a surprise! If they had paid attention to their own contract it would have been obvious that they never had a " dog" in that fight.

It is very unfortunate that once again the state workers are not being told the truth by their union. They are being told to attack Corzine , despite the fact that Corzine did everything possible to cushion the blow for state workers.

Corzine is the only friend CWA has and they are doing their best to hurt him and get Christie elected.

CWA leadership has cost their members 5% of their pay and now they are trying to cost Corzine reelection.
     

CWA's Rosenstein Not a State Worker

by: firstamend07

Wed Feb 18, 2009 at 07:06:53 AM EST

She was not elected to her present position, she was appointed by the New York office of CWA. There is no accountability, yet she is jeopardizing state worker jobs.

What other Union organization has a leadership who is not part of the membership. This is why the CWA leadership is so out of touch and why it is important for both the Press and the Legislators to understand that Rosenstein does not  speak  for the majority of state workers.

Hell, we can't even vote her out!

The state set up this system of " representation" and it is a poor one.

I can guarantee you one thing. If Rosenstein's job was on the line she would not be making the comments she is now making.  

Out of Touch CWA Leadership once again embarrassing

by: firstamend07

Tue Feb 17, 2009 at 05:16:51 PM EST

This from the Star Ledger:    Corzine said the state would save $35 million by having employees take two unpaid days off this spring. Another $850 million will come from the federal stimulus package, and $472 million will be cut from the current budget, among other measures.

But Hetty Rosenstein, New Jersey state director for the Communications Workers of America, denounced the governor's plan, calling it both ineffective and an "assault on our collective bargaining relationship."

Next year could be even worse, Corzine said. The governor said state revenues are estimated at $28.5 billion for the 2010 budget he'll unveil March 10. He declined to say today how much stimulus money the state will be able to use on that plan.

"The actual dollars that will be saved by furloughing state workers will provide little relief to the state - but will cause a tremendous hardship for our members who live paycheck to paycheck and whose wages go directly back into the economy," Rosenstein said in a statement released in response to Corzine's announcement.

"A significant number of state workers are paid through federal funding," Rosenstein continued, arguing "furloughing federally-funded positions actually reduces the amount of money coming into the state."

"Imposing these kinds of cuts only deepens the economic slump we are all working to overcome," she said.

Hetty Rosenstein does not have to worry about her job. She works for a private company , CWA, that is guaranteed dues money by state law.

Corzine is saving state worker jobs with this plan but the CWA leadership does not care about jobs, they care about maximum dues money collected.

It is unfortunate that the average taxpayer thinks Rosenstein speaks for all state workers. She does not. The only thing you can depend on from Rosenstein is bad advice.    

CWA Leadership Getting Muzzled

by: firstamend07

Thu Feb 05, 2009 at 06:53:40 AM EST

The word is out, "shut up or you might lose the only friend you have!"

Over the past few years the  CWA leadership has alienated most of the Democratic Party leaders. Only Corzine has remained a friend.

Now when Corzine needs CWA to help him , and the state out, they go screaming and hollaring in the press. In an election year!!

But the word has been passed far and wide. If Corzine " goes down" then good luck in dealing with a Republican Governor and a Democratic Legislature who is not friendly!

The question is how long can these undisciplined union leaders be quiet? Will they break the peace and start threatening the Governor again?

If they do it again Corzine might just walk away from them and eliminate them from all discussions.

After all it is an election year!

Unions ready to fight wage freezes

by: Jason Springer

Sat Jan 03, 2009 at 01:49:33 PM EST

"We would like to negotiate a salary freeze as opposed to turning to more difficult issues, although ones that we believe we can deal with, and those are furloughs and layoffs," Corzine said. "Layoffs are a very complicated process, take five or six months to actually get into place and are extraordinarily disruptive, but if necessary we can go there."

"Although we will always work with the governor to find ways to both raise revenues and save money, we are not going to reopen our contracts. Those contracts were based on the principle of mutual sacrifice, with workers agreeing to make increased contributions to the cost of health care and pensions, in return for modest wage increases," said Sheryl Gordon, executive director of AFSCME union Council 1.

"We will not reopen the contract," said Hetty Rosenstein, CWA's New Jersey director. "Of course we worry about layoffs, but it would be such a bad and terrible thing to do to workers during a recession, it just doesn't make any sense. We're so understaffed, and there's a greater need for public services right now."

Rae Roeder, president of CWA union Local 1033, said Corzine hasn't shown the public any substantial proof in his first three years in office of how he trimmed government spending on things such as paid consultants and private firms.

"Bottom line, no governor is going to threaten myself or any of the workers. We're tired of his threats and the innuendos and everything else. When the governor said, 'This is the way it is, or else' -- or else, mister, or else maybe you ought to pack up your bag over your failed policies over the last four years and go. Maybe that's what you should do," Roeder said.

Corzine Thinking Layoffs

by: firstamend07

Sat Nov 08, 2008 at 01:21:54 PM EST

It seems Corzine is ready to turn his back on the CWA. He knows that a state worker layoff will be necessary if he wants to sell other cutbacks. Apparently he has no fear of a CWA backlash since he knows , like most other politicians know , that CWA is a paper tiger and incapable of mounting any response that would be more than a " huff and a puff ".

Sweeney Makes CWA Cower

by: firstamend07

Sat Oct 25, 2008 at 09:19:56 AM EDT

Here is a synopsis of the money race as written in today's Gloucester County Times:

Saturday, October 25, 2008
By Pete McCarthy
pmccarthy@sjnewsco.com
The Republican Party in Gloucester County has not yet met its lofty goal of raising $100,000 for the 2008 freeholder campaign.

In fact, since the last campaign finance report was filed 18 days ago, the candidates have only been able to collect an additional $2,476. That brings their grand total to a little more than $30,000.

Their Democrat opponents, on the other hand, brought in more than $180,000 during that same two-week period, according to contribution and expenditure reports released on Friday.

"People who committed early on said they rethought it at the last minute and decided that they don't want to make an enemy of (Freeholder Director and state Senator) Steve Sweeney because they have to deal with him in Trenton," said Steve Kush, communications director for the county Republicans.

Kush had previously stated that the party was looking to get substantial financial support from all around the state.

Sweeney, who is seeking re-election to the freeholder board, said he had heard that there were some unions in Trenton "threatening" to unload between $800,000 and $1 million on attack ads against him. The freeholder said it was because of the pension reform legislation that he sponsored in his role as Senate majority leader.

"My labor friends were responding to threats being made by state unions," said Sweeney. "When these other unions heard about it, they responded pretty strongly to balance it out."

As more politicians catch on to CWA and discover that their political leadership team is all bark and no bite the " myth" of the " powerful" state worker union will be destroyed.  

CWA TURNS BACK ON ADLER AND STENDER

by: firstamend07

Thu Oct 09, 2008 at 05:56:00 PM EDT

CWA , once again, has proven to be an out of touch union in the State of New Jersey.  

They can't even agree on paper calendars

by: Jason Springer

Thu Jul 24, 2008 at 05:04:48 PM EDT

The move will save an estimated $180,000.

The Division of Purchase and Property has determined that, given the current budget austerity and the universal availability of online calendars and calendar software, it is inappropriate for the state to encourage continued use of paper calendars, a notice sent to state employees said.

Rae Roeder, president of Communications Workers of America Local 1033, which represents 6,200 state workers, said paper calendars are important for people to have on their desks to help readily keep track of what they're involved in.

She said the administration could instead save $180,000 by eliminating patronage jobs.

Instead we want to save money by not giving people paper calendars, Roeder said. Oh, whoopee. This is foolishness, absolute foolishness.

At the same time, aren't there more important things to fight about?  If workers don't have a computer where they can use an online calendar, then maybe they should still get them.  I could see arguing that point possibly.  If workers want to have a paper calendar, they still can buy one to use.  The article mentions other cuts that are being made for some context:

The budget cut spending for property tax rebates, colleges, municipalities, hospitals and nursing homes, among other areas.

CWA Region 1 Response to Earlier Story

by: huntsu

Wed Jul 09, 2008 at 06:05:47 PM EDT

Statement of Chris Shelton, Vice President, CWA District One

 We've learned all too well in 2008 that desperate rumors and shadowy political smears are the bile that courses through the internet's bowels.  It's a shame to see them rise up on Blue Jersey, the Garden State?s progressive online hub, and a shame to see a degrading of reporting standards and a reliance on anonymous sources.

    But the best way to respond to this detritus is with specific facts that comprise the truth:

-       Local 1034 staffer Gerald T. Reiner was placed on paid leave from his staff duties because an internal CWA investigation found evidence that when he was hired three months ago, his primary responsibilities were to work on the election campaign of the Local?s president.  That is not an appropriate staff function.  Furthermore, he has no previous experience in the labor movement.

-       The fundraising raffle was reviewed and determined to be lawful by the Nevada Gaming Commission (the union?s annual convention was held this year in Las Vegas).  Unfortunately, a brief review by the Commission did temporarily shut down a raffle to support the family of a CWA Executive Board member who is battling Lou Gehrig?s Disease.)

-       CWA staff did not instruct anyone as to how many raffle tickets to buy, nor did anyone keep track of who bought tickets or not, or how many.

-       The leaflet distributed by CWA District One staff to Local 1034 members was prepared by the national union and distributed at its direction. The flyer explained to members the reason for the trusteeship. This is a normal and appropriate union staff function.

A couple points about this.  

The first is that from the beginning we offered Shelton and Bob Masters a chance to comment and they chose not to for the entire work day.

We contacted Masters and Shelton via e-mail at just after 8 a.m. this morning and told them of the allegations that were being made.  We asked for their comment.

We sent them another request for comment at 9:35 noting that we planned to go with the story but wanted their comment.  

The story ran at 9:45 am, and Bob Masters finally wrote back at 10:45 that he would respond "in an hour or two."

At 4:30 we had still heard nothing from CWA, and sent another message requesting their comment on the story. Their answer finally came in at 5:15 p.m., more than nine hours after it was requested.

The second point is that this was not a story from an "anonymous source."  There is a huge difference between a source that requests anonymity but allows the writer to know who they are and a source that hides its identity even from the reporter.  

The fact is, this is a story.  The national CWA fired both the local president and the board this week, and placed a staffer on paid suspension.  The staffer then accused the District leadership of engaging in retaliatory actions similar to those in a pending lawsuit.

We gave the District leaders close to two hours to respond, and they chose not to.  We did not have to offer that window for them to respond, but we did and they decided not to respond in detail for nine hours.

The idea that our reporting was irresponsible or degraded, or that this story is Internet "bile" is ridiculous.  

Breaking: CWA Staffer Accuses National Of Retaliation, Strong-Arming Members

by: huntsu

Wed Jul 09, 2008 at 09:45:00 AM EDT

Blue Jersey received an e-mail today from a CWA 1034 staffer, an ardent supporter of ousted local president Carla Katz.  In the e-mail, the staffer -- who requested anonymity -- accuses the national CWA of intentionally banning him from a meeting because of his support of Katz and of using their power to force local staffers to hand out propaganda slanted to the national union's position.

A word of caution: though this seems easily within the realm of possibility none of this is verified by Blue Jersey.  We have e-mailed the two District CWA leaders mentioned by the staffer in his e-mail earlier this morning but have not heard back.  Once we hear their side, assuming we do, we'll post an updated story.

The e-mail states that he was the sole staffer banned from a meeting the CWA had with local 1034 staff to explain their firing of Katz and the local board.  The union has claimed that all staffers were briefed.

Tuesday, my usual 1 hour commute only to arive to the [Trenton] marriott to be told I am "in paid status but I am removed from my duties as of now" I wondered why I was being singled out as the only staff member expelled from the meeting, after all I would like the same information my co-workers had been given about my job.

He maintains that he was excluded because he was an ardent supporter of Katz both in the office and in his own time during the recent elections, which Katz won.

But more disturbing is his accusation of illegal and strong-armed fundraising by Katz's opponents, especially by CWA District 1 VP Chris Shelton.  Shelton and Katz have been at odds for a long time.

According to the staffer, Shelton conducted a 50/50 raffle in Las Vegas at the national CWA convention earlier this year without a license to raise money against Katz's candidacy.  Complaints from the staffer were dismissed.  Further, CWA members were being instructed as to how many tickets they had to purchase based on the size of their local union, and from whom.  

The tickets required name, phone and local number -- information that would allow the raffle managers to identify how much staffers spent and whether they followed directions.  However, in a 50/50 it is common to collect such information so the winner may be notified.

In particular, the staffer singled out District 1 Legislative and Political Director Bob Master as one of the raffle salespeople who was strong-arming CWA members at the national convention.  

Carla Katz currently has a lawsuit against the national CWA alleging retaliatory harassment against her during a time when Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen was threatening to oust her for political contributions to Newark Mayor Cory Booker.  Newark is not in CWA 1034's territory, and the contribution may have been against union rules.  

Katz and her entire board were ousted earlier this week and the national union took over.

Updated: Entire CWA Local 1034 Board removed indefinitely

by: Jason Springer

Mon Jul 07, 2008 at 06:05:35 PM EDT

The entire CWA Local 1034 Board including President Carla Katz were removed indefinitely today...

"An extensive internal review revealed probable cause to believe that the local is engaged in ongoing financial malpractice, the misappropriation of union funds, a failure to comply with state and federal law, as well as the CWA constitution, and the suppression of dissent," CWA's national board said in a news release. "The CWA national executive board has determined that it has no choice but to take this action to protect the rights and resources of the members of Local 1034."

CWA Internal Disputes, 1040 and 1034

by: firstamend07

Sun May 11, 2008 at 10:27:50 PM EDT

Katz has to defend some political contributions that might be questionable . Bruno has created a web site , www.TomBruno.org , to outline the many issues that Wade has ignored during her tenure, including the Ancora problem.

At a time when the Budget cuts are going to be debated and issues like early retirement and layoffs will effect each state worker, the CWA is on the verge of the same change that is sweeping the Democratic Party.

State Worker Union members might be showing the same tendency to get rid of complacent leaders as the nation is apparently showing.

Even though Katz and Wade stood on opposite sides during  last years state worker contract ratification they now both must answer to their members.

Unions are no different then political parties, both must continue to evolve and grow or they will collapse.

Katz has withstood challenges before , Wade has never had to answer the questions posed by a challenger. The outcome of these leaderships battles will effect New Jersey taxpayers since so many questions about layoffs, retirements, and pensions must be discussed .      

Carl Katz email woes purpetuate appearance of conflict

by: truthbetold

Thu Jun 21, 2007 at 04:18:48 PM EDT

The next election for officers and the Executive Board of Local 1034 is in the fall of 2008.  Lucky for Carla, her fellow officers and Board members it isn't in the fall of 2007.  Plenty of time for damage control for a politico like Carla. 

The last time 1034 had an election, she and her slate were unopposed.  I doubt that will happen in 2008.  That might explain her stated intention to run for re-election when she was interviewed by gossip columnist Cindy Adams of the NY Post.  She must be getting nervous about her re-election chances.