AFSCME            AFT            CWA       IFPTE A Message From Your Unions March - 2009
	Governor Corzine has demanded a Wage Freeze and 14 unpaid furlough days (2 in May and June, and 12 in fiscal year 2010.) He has also said that he will lay off as many as 7000 workers to achieve that savings if there is not a negotiated agreement. In fact – even if we agreed to his demands, there are no guarantees of no layoffs. Our Unions are working together to address the fiscal crisis in a responsible fashion. Our goal is to protect jobs and collective bargaining and to remain united in our discussions with the Governor over the effects of his proposals.  We are developing an alternative approach to the Governor’s that protects jobs and services, employs shared sacrifice, provides the savings that the Governor is looking for and respects collective bargaining.  We know that all of our members are anxious and concerned about jobs and about the integrity of our contracts.  We are trying to strategically and responsibly address this crisis and we will keep you informed as we have information.  No Layoffs!  Shared Sacrifice!  Respect Collective Bargaining! In Unity, Sherryl Gordan, Executive Director                            Nick Yovnello, President AFSCME                                                                 Council NJ College Locals, AFT Hetty Rosenstein, NJ Area Director                       Don Buchanan, President Local 195 CWA                                                                         IFPTE Last week, an “anonymous” source from the Governor’s office claimed that State Workers unions had a “deal” with the Governor regarding a wage freeze and furloughs. This was incorrect information.  CWA issued a press release regarding the false news report. There is no deal and there have not as of yet even been negotiations. We hope to meet jointly with Governor Corzine in the very near future. When we have accurate information, it will first be posted here and not in the press. Many of the newspaper articles that are being printed regarding the public employee unions and the State’s fiscal dilemma are oftentimes misleading and inaccurate. On Thursday, March 12, 2009, the Council along with the State’s other higher education locals met with Jane Oates, the Commission on Higher Education’s Executive Director. We asked many questions regarding the Governor’s proposed budget including many regarding the seemingly lack of sufficiently utilizing the Federal Government’s K-16 State Stimulus monies for our institutions. We hope to obtain more concise information regarding this and will also urge the legislature’s budget committee’s to more thoroughly explore use of these funds. The legislative budget process is likely to continue for the next several months before agreement on a final budget is reached. Click the following link to the relevant higher ed pages of the Governor’s proposed budget (or paste the link in your browsers address line): Higher Ed pages from Corzine Budget We will keep you updated on this web site when we have further information regarding this continuing situation.
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