CWA Local 1033
Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO
Nomination Petition Results for CWA Local 1033 Election of Officers
The CWA Local 1033 Elections Committee announces the Certification of Candidates from the online petitions for the CWA Local 1033 Officers 2020 election.
Updated 11/09/2020:
Click here to view the 2020 Nomination Petition results for CWA LOCAL 1033 2020 ELECTION of OFFICERS
Sharon Goddett, Chair
Jeanette Heads, Co-Chair
Christopher Parker
Kim Wilford
Get your flu shot
State Health Benefits Plan Year 2021 Open Enrollment
Annual Health Benefits Plan Open Enrollment will be different this year as it has adjusted to COVID-19 times.
It will be all virtual with some differences in how to enroll in a different plan or add a dependent between state and local government workers. The open enrollment will start on October 1 (Thursday) and end October 31 and plan changes will be effective on 1/1/21.
Here’s a rundown:
State Workers
State workers will able to enroll in a different plan or add a dependent through a new on-line application called Benefitsolver. There will be no paper forms to complete and process and state workers will not need to go through their Human Resource offices to make changes.
The Benefitsolver Open Enrollment Flyer explains how members can login and start their enrollment. The MyChoice Mobile App flyer explains how members can access health plan information whenever they need it.
We recommend that state workers stay with CWA Unity/NJ Direct (same plan different name) or the Omnia tiered network plan. The Horizon HMO is both more expensive and has a restricted network.
Omnia is significantly less expensive (25%) than CWA Unity/NJ Direct, has the same coverage of benefits, and provides a cash incentive to join but Omnia can entail significant out-of-pocket expenses if you go to a tier two provider. There is no out-of-network coverage for Omnia. Omnia can be an attractive option if the tier one providers meet your needs. Members considering Omnia should review the tier one providers.
Medicare Retirees
The Benefitsolver app will be rolled out for Medicare retirees on March 1, 2021.
If you have questions regarding your benefits, please see your employer or call the NJDPB Office of Client Services at 609-292-7524. If you have trouble accessing the Benefitsolver website, please see your human resources representative.
Direct Primary Care
Membership to Direct Primary Care Doctor’s Office Included in N.J. SHBP/SEHBP Benefits at no additional cost
The New Jersey State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) offer employees and their covered dependents the opportunity to join a Direct Primary Care doctor’s office at no additional cost. This is available as part of the Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield plans and does not require any changes to your health insurance. Simply choose a Direct Primary Care doctor from Paladina Health or R-Health and get unlimited access to personalized care with no copays, when and where it’s convenient for you. Direct Primary Care doctors provide a full range of services including preventative, urgent, and sick care, health and wellness coaching, chronic disease management, and care coordination.
The Direct Primary Care program is available to employees and dependents covered under the following SHBP/SEHBP Plans:
- Horizon NJ Direct plans
- Horizon SHBP OMNIA plans
- Horizon CWA Unity plans
- Non-Medicare retirees
General Membership Meeting – October 14, 2020
Register now for the CWA Local 1033 General Membership Meeting – October 14, 2020 held virtually via Zoom. Meeting starts at 5:30 PM.
All Members must pre-register to participate in this meeting. Registration deadline is 2:00 PM on October 14, 2020. Once your membership status has been manually verified, you will receive a confirmation e-mail with instructions on how to join the meeting. Please do not delay, members who register after the deadline may not be admitted.
This meeting is for users with a Zoom account. New to Zoom? Sign up free.
Agenda will include:
Secretary’s Report: Review and Approval of the January 2020 General Membership Meeting Minutes;
Treasurer’s Report: Review and Approval of the Financial Reports; Review and Approval of the Local’s FY2021 Budget;
Presidents Report: Overview of Events; Swearing in new Shop Stewards
Committee Reports
CWA Local 1033 General Membership Meeting
Date:
Oct. 14, 2020
Time:
5:00 PM
CWA Local 1033 Notice of Election of Officers
Please contact CWA Local 1033 to update your Home Address & Email Address
The 2020 Election of Officers will be conducted by the Elections Committee pursuant to the CWA Constitution – Article XV, Local 1033 By-Laws Article 14, and the CWA Local 1033 Election Procedures. Members who have signed cards but are currently not working, who have paid dues a minimum of 3 months in the 12 months preceding any announced election, and who have not severed their connection with their employer, (except by means of retirement) shall be eligible to vote in said election, pursuant to CWA Local 1033 By-Laws, Section 3 E. – General Provisions, pg.14.
Offices include President, Executive Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Bargaining Unit Vice President’s for the Administrative/Clerical, Professional, Primary and Higher Level Supervisory Units, and Area Representatives for Area 1– Treasury, Area 2 – Law & Public Safety and Public Defender, Area 3 – Education, Thomas Edison State College Library, Talking Book and Braille, and Department of Children & Families Office of Education and the Regional Day School, Area 4 – Department of State, Department of Human Services Division of Aging, and Department of Military & Veterans Affairs, Area 5 – Taxation, Area 6 – Motor Vehicle, Area 7 – Revenue and Pensions, Area 8 – Department of Banking and Insurance & Real Estate Commission, and Area 9 – New Jersey State Police within L&PS and NJ State Parole Board (not covered by other CWA Locals).
Only CWA Local 1033 active members in good standing who have been paying full dues consecutively for at least nine (9) months of the twelve (12) months prior to the date of an election announcement shall be eligible to hold an elective office, pursuant to the CWA Local 1033 By-Laws, Section 3 B. – General Provisions, pg.13. The twelve-month calendar effective date starts as of Sunday, September 1, 2019, to Monday, August 31, 2020. Each nominee must obtain the requested amount of signatures to be a candidate on the ballot. Duly nominated candidates running unopposed will be declared “elected” at the final certification of this election. Members wishing to run for office may pick up election materials and instructions starting September 8, 2020, thru Monday, September 14, 2020, 8:30 – 4:30 M-F. No weekend hours or after hours. Due to COVID-19 Nominations for candidates are being held electronically. We are using a secure online platform hosted by Election Buddy. Each qualifying member will be emailed a link to choose the nominees of their choice. Online petitions would be available on September 16, 2020, at 12 noon and must be submitted by October 16, 2020, by 12 noon. Please reach out to the Local to Update Your Email Addresses. Please call the Local at 609-394-7725 to arrange a time to pick up your packet.
Update 11/09/2020: Click here to view the 2020 Nomination Petition results for CWA LOCAL 1033 2020 ELECTION of OFFICERS
Ballots for the Election will be mailed on December 7, 2020. Ballots MUST BE RECEIVED (Not Postmarked) by 5pm on January 7, 2021. The ballot count will take place at YES Elections formally known as Election America, 155 Mineola Blvd, Mineola, NY 11501 on January 8, 2021. Members of the Election Committee will pick up ballots at the postal box in Mineola, N.Y. at 10 a.m. PLEASE UPDATE YOUR HOME ADDRESS
PLEASE WEAR YOUR MASK
NJ State Worker Furlough Implementation
Updated 7/13/20 to include UI FAQ for State workers represented by CWA
See: Guidance on Filing Unemployment Benefits for Furloughed State Workers
- Note: If you already filed a claim, do not refile.
- Note: Regardless of where you live, you file your unemployment claim with the NJ Department of Labor. UI claims are filed in the state where you work, not the state where you live.
Do you have a Unemployment Insurance question?
See: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS BY STATE WORKERS ON FURLOUGH REPRESENTED BY CWA
CWA COVID 2020 Emergency Agreement
UPDATE: 6/30/20:
Guidance for Furloughed NJ State Workers Represented by CWA
CWA Tips for furloughed state workers filing for unemployment insurance
Update: 6/27/20: The Job Security MOA was overwhelmingly ratified.
13595 yes
1318 no
14913 total
Your State Worker Bargaining Team successfully completed negotiations on a very important No Layoff Agreement with the Murphy Administration.
UPDATE: 6/30/20:
Guidance for Furloughed NJ State Workers Represented by CWA
CWA Tips for furloughed state workers filing for unemployment insurance
Update 6/27/20:
The Job Security MOA was overwhelmingly ratified.
13595 yes
1318 no
14913 total
A Message to CWA Executive Branch State Workers From Your Bargaining Committee
Dear Sisters, Brothers, Union Family,
Last night, your State Worker Bargaining Team successfully completed negotiations on a very important No Layoff Agreement with the Murphy Administration.
This Agreement will protect our members job security during the worst economic upheaval since the Great Depression. It includes a deferral of the upcoming July 2020 raise and a rescheduling of the April 2022 raise. It includes some furlough days, but most of which will be eligible for unemployment.
We will provide the details of this Agreement to our members within the coming days and you will have an opportunity to vote on this No Layoff Agreement this week.
We are proud of the agreement that we negotiated over the past several weeks. Deferring wage increases and having workers furloughed, even for a few days, is difficult. But in an environment such as this, we believe that we have accomplished something remarkable: Job protection for our members and their families. We hope that once you understand the details of this Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that you will agree and vote yes.
You will soon receive detailed information. We will have a Townhall Call to go over the Agreement, and you will be emailed voting instructions as soon as they are completed.
In Solidarity,
John Rose, President Local 1031
Patrick Kavanagh, President Local 1032
Gaye Palmer, President Local 1033
Adam Liebtag, President Local 1036
Ken McNamara, President Local 1037
Shawn Ludwig, President Local 1038
Carolyn Wade, President Local 1040
Hetty Rosenstein, NJ Area Director
Dennis Trainor, CWA District 1 Vice President
8:46 – Stop Work Thursday, June 11, 12 Noon Black Lives Matter
8 Minutes, 46 Seconds—Stop Work.
Thursday, June 11, 12 Noon.
Black Lives Matter.
Dear Brothers and Sisters,
As trade unionists and as Americans, we were all outraged by the vicious murder of George Floyd. We are heartened by the uprising of hundreds of thousands of Americans, Black, Brown and white, demanding an end to racism and declaring: “Black Lives Matter.”
Because of Covid-19, it has been difficult for many of us to show our solidarity with this movement.
But on Thursday, June 11, at 12 noon, we will take a stand against racism by doing what trade unionists do when they are protesting for what’s right and fair: Stopping Work.
We are asking all of our members to stop and reflect for 8 minutes and 46 seconds—to remember the length of time the Minneapolis police officer had his knee on George Floyd’s neck.
Obviously, all of our members work in different circumstances. Many are still working at home. Some must care for patients or engage with customers. We urge you to observe the 8:46 in whatever way works best for you:
- Gather in a small group in your workplace, socially distanced, and hold signs in solidarity. Downloadable signs are available at cwa-union.org/cwa-against-racism-downloadable-materials
- Pull your truck over, get out, and take a selfie
- Stand up in your work location
- Take a knee in your work location
- Use your lunch break to hold a socially distanced picket line outside your work location
- Take a selfie that can be posted in solidarity. Post this with your selfie: “8:46. Stop Work and Reflect. Black Lives Matter. #CWAforBlackLives #WalkoutForBlackLives”
Do not abandon patients and customers. Figure out a way to engage in the protest that works for you.
On Thursday morning, officers and shop stewards should reach out to local management to make them aware of the plans for protest and ask them to join the action.
We strongly encourage you to take pictures! You can share them yourself and use the hashtags #WalkoutForBlackLives and #CWAForBlackLives and/or send them to us at cwad1@cwa-union.org to share on the District 1 Facebook page and Twitter.
This is not an action that we take lightly. Any time we stop work for any length of time, it’s serious business. But we are asking you to observe these moments of solidarity on Thursday, because the problems of racism and police violence are deadly serious.
Thank you in advance and Solidarity Forever!
CWA Update on NJ State budget $10B shortfall and negotiations to protect jobs
Dear State Worker Union Family,
We have heard from many members who are rightfully concerned about the State budget and how we will be impacted. If you have been a State Worker since 2009, you will remember that in response to the last economic “crash” we negotiated a Furlough/Wage Deferral/No Layoff Agreement with Governor Corzine. At that time, the State was facing a $2 billion shortfall. That Agreement included 10 days of furloughs, an 18-month deferral of the across the board raise, and enforceable job security for our members.
When Chris Christie was elected Governor, he was enraged about this Agreement because it made it impossible for him to layoff the 10,000 workers he said he would layoff during his campaign. That agreement was overwhelmingly ratified by members and, as it turns out, was indeed “Christie-proof” and protected members’ jobs.
The State is now facing a $10 billion shortfall – something much worse than the 2009 shortfall. In response, we have embarked upon negotiations with Governor Murphy to explore all available options to again protect as many jobs as possible. Layoffs would not only be disastrous for our membership and have additional drag on the state economy, but the public services provided by our membership are needed now more than ever. We know that a federal aid package and borrowing are both under discussion. The reality is furloughs and layoffs would not solve the budget shortfall – federal aid and careful borrowing are both needed.
We cannot, at this time, discuss these negotiations publicly or answer ANY questions about them. Like all negotiations, we will share information with members as much as possible, but we must be careful with our ongoing discussions. We know there are a lot of rumors and speculation because members are very concerned. What we can tell you is that our goal is to protect jobs at a time of great risk to public workers and public services and we will proceed as we always do, in a democratic way, with members ultimately deciding the course of action.
We are letting you know this now, so that you are not surprised if we ask you to support an Agreement that includes some things that are immediately a sacrifice, but that ultimately protect our jobs. We do not know if we will be successful in reaching such an agreement. The circumstances are much worse than after the 2008 economic crash. Today’s circumstances are more dire and present a greater threat to our members job security – but we are going to try to protect every one of our member’s jobs.
In Solidarity,
John Rose, President Local 1031
Ken McNamara, President Local 1037
Patrick Kavanagh, President Local 1032
Shawn Ludwig, President CWA Local 1038
Gaye Palmer, President Local 1033
Carolyn Wade, President Local 1040
Adam Liebtag, President CWA Local 1036
CWA National News
- CWA Launches State Broadband Oversight Initiatives April 15, 2021
- High Speed Internet Is Infrastructure April 15, 2021
- CWA Next Generation Hosts Virtual Workshop on the PRO Act April 15, 2021
- Organizing Update April 15, 2021
- Violence Should Not Be Part of The Job April 15, 2021
- District 7 Conference Spotlights Members' Creativity and Dedication During Pandemic Year April 15, 2021
- Why Vice President Claude Cummings, Jr. Chose to Get Vaccinated April 15, 2021
- With Biden’s Infrastructure Bill Promising Nationwide Broadband Access and Good Jobs, Communications Workers of America Launches Multi-State Effort to Regulate Broadband, Close Digital Divide April 12, 2021
- How the PRO Act Will Help Us Bargain Stronger Contracts April 8, 2021
- Join CWA NextGen and Special Guests to Learn How to Grow Our Union! April 8, 2021