CWA Local 1033
Communications Workers of America, AFL-CIO
CWA Honors Pamela Knight, our AFSCME Union Sister
Dear CWA Sisters and Brothers,
On Friday, September 29, 2017, at 5 p.m., Pamela Knight, a 57 year old child protective services worker employed by the State of Illinois, received a call that a 2 year old child on her caseload was unsafe.
Instead of going home, she rushed to the home of the child with a member of the county
Sheriff’s department to remove the child. When she arrived at the home, the father had left the home with the child and was reportedly at his parents’; home in another county. The Sheriff’s officer could not go to that county. Pam called the county sheriff’s department in that county asking that someone meet her at the grandparents’ home.
But no officer was there when Pam arrived at the grandparents’ home. When Pam went into the home, she was brutally attacked by the father, and as a result of that attack she went into a coma and she remained unconscious until Thursday, February 8, 2018, when she died. Her attacker has been charged with first degree attempted murder. Pam’s local union, AFSCME, contributed to a fund to support Pam’s family, and Pam’s husband has thankfully received the fund and has asked that no further funds be contributed to the
family. Mr. Knight has dedicated himself to changing the policies and laws in Illinois that did not protect his wife.
In honor of Pamela, and of all child protective services workers, CWA is asking our members to sign on to the following letter which will accompany a plaque and be shared with Pam’s family.
With Deepest Sympathy to the Family and Friends of Pamela Knight: We, like Pamela Knight, have dedicated our work lives to the safety and protection of children.
In honor of her sacrifice and commitment to children, and because Pamela Knight’s death was not in vain, the CWA Members and New Jersey child protective services workers do take this solemn vow:
We dedicate ourselves to not only the noble task of rescuing children and families destroyed by abuse and neglect, but we commit to each other and to all child protective services workers, our solemn promise that we will stand in solidarity to keep each other safe and that we will demand that all workers are protected from violence as they carry out their duties. In honor of Pamela Knight, we commit that we will never cease fighting for the safety of our sisters and brothers who every day, labor so that all children may be safe from abuse and neglect.
Rest in Peace, Pamela Knight.
2/7/18 2 Hr. Delay Opening for state offices.
2/7/18 – 2 Hour Delay opening for state offices
Due to a winter storm expected to slick roadways with a mix of snow and ice, officials have announced a two-hour delayed opening for all New Jersey state offices on Wednesday.
The delay is to allow time for roads, parking lots and sidewalks to be cleared and made safe, the New Jersey Office of Emergency Management said in a statement.
Essential employees should report to work on their regular schedule, officials said.
CWA NJ EXECUTIVE BRANCH CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS UPDATE | February 6, 2018
Brothers and Sisters,
Before the election in November, the State had provided a list of bargaining proposals to CWA which would have rolled back several sections of the contract, including PARs, removed workplace dignity from the contract, and other issues. We discussed many of these bogus proposals in previous bargaining updates.
As you know, Governor Murphy took office January 16. Both CWA and the State have acted quickly since that time to get negotiations back on track and to clear roadblocks the Christie administration left in our path. CWA’s top priorities for our state executive branch membership are to settle our long-expired contract and resolve the dispute over stalled increments as quickly as possible.
Here is what we have done so far:
1. Christie’s challenge at PERC to block our increment grievance was removed from PERC’s agenda.
After the NJ Supreme Court ruled that increment grievances were arbitrable, Christie filed a petition with his hand-picked PERC Commission asking to block our grievance and arbitration. Governor Murphy and CWA jointly requested that Christie’s challenge be removed from PERC’s January 25 meeting agenda. That request was granted.
2. CWA Is Acting Quickly to Open Contract Negotiations with the New Administration
We are setting up formal bargaining dates and the Governor is replacing Christie’s bargaining team with new representatives. We will bargain strongly but quickly because the issues are well-known after three years working without a contract.
3. Critical Appointments are Moving Forward.
Replacements are progressing for the Public Employment Relations Commission, the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations, and the Civil Service Commission. PERC oversees arbitration and contract disputes. OER oversees state-wide labor relations issues and the CWA-State contract. The CSC oversees testing, seniority rules, classification and desk audits, hours of work, disciplinary appeals, and other important work rules that affect us every day.
4. In addition, the Murphy Administration has notified the Civil Service Commission to cease its effort to change rules on overtime. The Christie CSC had proposed changes to OT rules that would exclude any benefit leave time from OT calculation and would make it harder for employees to qualify for FMLA.
By illegally stopping the payment of our increments, Governor Christie created a legal and financial mess for our members and for the new Governor. That mess has to be untangled. CWA members are rightfully anxious to receive what we earned and are due under prior contracts, but we are encouraged by the initial steps taken by the new Governor to quickly resolve our outstanding contract negotiations.
Your Bargaining Committee
Dennis Trainor CWA District 1 Vice President
Hetty Rosenstein CWA NJ Area Director
John Rose President CWA Local 1031
Patrick Kavanagh President CWA Local 1032
Gaye Palmer President CWA Local 1033
Adam Liebtag President CWA Local 1036
Ken McNamara President CWA Local 1037
Shawn Ludwig President CWA Local 1038
Joe Diesso Temporary Administrator CWA Local 1039
Carolyn Wade President CWA Local 1040
CWA Local 1033 Final Certification of Election Run-Off for Secretary Results
The members of the Local Election Committee certify that the results of the tabulation of the ballots cast in the run-off election for the position of Secretary were as follows: View official announcement: Final Runoff Results for Secretary
Roberto Sayers: 163
Shelly Manners: 146
***CWA Local 1033 By – Laws, Article XIV, Section 3. A. states: The nominee in the election for President, Executive Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer receiving the majority of votes shall be declared elected. In case no one nominee receives a majority of votes cast, the Election Committee shall conduct a run – off election. The two nominees having the greatest number of votes o n the first ballot shall be nominees on the second ballot.
The Election Committee hereby certifies Roberto Sayers as duly elected Secretary and Representative of CWA Local 1033.
We extend our thanks and best wishes to all who participated in the election process. Let us now work together for the betterment of CWA Local 1033 and all the workers whom our Union Represents.
Sincerely,
CWA Local 1033 Election Committee
Sharon Godett, Chair
Jeanette Heads, Co-Chair
Errick Wiggins, Secretary
Frederique Adam-Jupillat, Committee Member
Weather alert! Snow Day 1/4/17
Due to the severe winter storm the state of New Jersey has authorized the closing of state offices today Thursday, January 4, 2018 for all non-essential employees.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of former CWA local 1033 President Rae Roeder.
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of former CWA local 1033 President Rae Roeder.
Rae was a champion protecting State worker’s rights and a five term President until her retirement.
Arrangements are by Kimble Funeral Home, 1 Hamilton Avenue, Princeton, New Jersey.
Friends may call on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 from 5 to 9 pm and Thursday, January 4, 2018 from 9 am to noon. A service will be held at the funeral home.
CWA Retired Members Council
The Retired Members Council (RMC) is About Serious Business
As Council members, we may be retired but we remain active in the life of our union. Because of the steady erosion in the retirement security of most Americans, we believe it’s essential that we actively participate in the struggle to protect our benefits. Through the Council, CWA retirees have input into key retiree programs as they are shaped through contract negotiations and or legislation.
The Retired Members’ Council works to safeguard and enhance our retirement in many ways:
- We monitor company pension and health care policies.
- We track national legislation affecting CWA retired members
- We monitor federal, state and local politicans and legislation in support of our goals and interests.
- We represent retired members’ concerns and issues with CWA bargaining councils before and during contract negotiations
Join us. Contact the local for more information.
CWA Next Generation
Our mission is to identify, recruit, and train young CWA members who will serve and strengthen our movement for social and economic justice through engagement in CWA’s core programs, including CWA Strong, Human Rights, Organizing, and Political Action.
Since its inception in 2010, CWA Next Generation has been building networks of young members with dedicated Lead Activists in our districts and sectors. We have brought together hundreds of young members from across the country at two national summits and dozens of local, regional, and national actions to learn from each other and build our movement.
Going forward, CWA Next Generation will expand our corps of Lead Activists and improve ties between national and local leaders so that we can fully integrate our program with CWA’s national goals. With support from their own locals and districts, as well as CWA national officers and staff, Lead Activists will identify and nurture young members who can contribute to key CWA initiatives. As part of our effort to integrate CWA Next Generation’s activities with other CWA programs, we will advocate for our members both locally and nationally at CWA gatherings and through a variety of communications methods.
We are committed to making sure young workers have the opportunity to bring their knowledge and commitment to the forefront in CWA’s fight for economic and social justice.
If you’re a CWA member who is 35 or under and want to learn and lead, you belong in Next Gen. Be part of CWA’s future. Join us.
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