AFSCME Council 73 2011 Scholarship Winners – Below are the winners of this year’s scholarships and information about them. Once again, because of the Golf Outing, we were able to give out 9 scholarships of $1500.

Olivia Foltiny is the daughter of Miklos Foltiny. Miklos is a member of AFSCME Local 2285, Mercer Board of Social Services. Olivia graduated from Burlington High School with a 5.1 GPA and was active in the Literary club, Falcon club (students who receive all A’s) and Prism club. Olivia will be attending Moore College of Art and Design.

Kyra and Kara Dayon are the daughters of Coral and Kevin Dayon. Coral is President of AFSCME Local 2208, Trenton Psych and Kevin is a member. Kyra and…

On June 20, 2011, the State Senate passed pension and benefit changes for all public employees, S2937.

The upper chamber approved the pension and benefit reform legislation, 24-15. State Sen. Ronald L. Rice (D-28), of Newark, did not vote.

The pension reform increases worker contributions based on salary; seats more labor on pension boards, eliminate cost of living increases, and legally requires state pension contributions.

The health care reform also increases contributions based on salary through premium shares, includes employers and employees in plan design processes, allows for local control provided there is equal cost savings, and allows for collective bargaining of health care to resume after a four-year contribution ramp-up.

The bill also raises the retirement age for future employees to 65, and…

All: The article by Charles Stile is good analysis. I know it’s how I feel. Gerard

Stile: Past errors no reason to ditch talks with unions Tuesday, June 21, 2011

By CHARLES STILE COLUMNIST

The barking of the bullhorn on the sidewalk outside was a faint, tinny cry by the time it penetrated the marble walls of the Senate chamber. It was no match for the soaring rhetoric on the Senate floor, where “history” was being made. It was the day that the tradition of collective bargaining between public unions and the governor in New Jersey was replaced by collaborationist bargaining, deal-making between political leaders and without the involvement of union negotiators.

“Collective bargaining is basically a civil right,” said Sen. Bob Gordon, the…

Dear Editor,

The recent analysis of state employee salaries by the Star-Ledger ( May 1, 2011) underscores what AFSCME members have been saying for years; that rank-and-file public employees work hard, in often dangerous and difficult jobs, are compensated at average or below average levels, and are critically important to the safety and health of all our State’s residents.

The study shows that while certain high level managers and specialists receive handsome salaries, the “average” public worker caring for the mentally ill, or keeping our streets safe, or making sure our drinking water is clean, is paid an “average” salary and is often struggling to make ends meet. The value of the public services they provide is not usually matched by the…

Gov. Chris Christie, it’s time to negotiate

Published: Monday, March 28, 2011, 6:04 AM By Star-Ledger Guest Columnist By Charles Wowkanech

Gov. Chris Christie says one thing but does another.

During his campaign, Christie called collective bargaining “an important safeguard for public employees” and promised “open, honest and fair deliberations.”

Christie says that unlike Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker, he “loves” collective bargaining.

“Let me at them. Get me out of the cage and let me go,” Christie promises the crowds at his town hall meetings.

So then why is Christie refusing to negotiate over employee health benefits, a contract provision bargained by every New Jersey governor before him?

Christie’s insistence on having the Legislature set health benefit contributions for state workers undermines collective bargaining rights just as…

This is why we need to get our members as active as they have ever been in this year’s legislative races. All Republican States = end of collective bargaining for public employees!

Gerard

New York Times

Ohio Lawmakers Pass Anti-Union Bill By STEVEN GREENHOUSE Published: March 30, 2011

The two houses of the Ohio Legislature approved a far-reaching bill on Wednesday that would hobble the ability of public-employee unions to bargain collectively and undercut their political clout. They sent the bill to Gov. John R. Kasich, a Republican, who lawmakers said would sign it in the next few days. The Republican-dominated Senate voted 17 to 16 in favor of the bill Wednesday evening, hours after the House passed it, 53 to 44, with 5…

My response to union rally

February 27th, 2011 – 6:25

 BY BARBARA BUONO I didn’t have the opportunity to speak last Friday at the rally on the state house steps but if I had, I would have begun by telling the crowd of mothers with children in tow, teachers who for so many years educated and mentored my children, municipal and state workers who plow our streets, firefighters and police who keep us safe—that you are not alone —and that we do not support what amounts to an assault on the middle class.

 The right to collective bargaining has been enshrined in our political and economic system since FDR signed the Wagner Act in 1935. It’s the basic principal that employers and employees…